Setting the stage for a home sale

Showing art in houses on the market is one thing, but it has come to a new level in New Canaan where a chateau has been transformed by Broadway set designers.

Melody Libonati, director of the Summer Theatre of New Canaan, and Realtor Barbara Cleary, owner of Barbara ClearyӪs Realty Guild and a ChristieӪs affiliate, have teamed up to make unique use of Le Beau Ch̢teau in New Canaan.

Libonati has brought in 15 stage designers, including Charles Pavarini, Harry Heissmann, Barbara Ostrom and Connie Beale who created Broadway-themed vignettes in the rooms of the château.

“It”™s amazing what”™s going (on) over there,” said Libonati. “We”™ve made it just come alive. It”™s fun and whimsical and they have just created amazing table-top vignettes.”

The house is on a 52-acre estate, with 10 subdivided estate lots. The 12,766-square-foot property is listed for sale at $24 million.
“It”™s very much a time capsule,” said Cleary.

The house was built in 1937 by Sen. David Aiken Reed.

“This is the largest project in New Canaan. It”™s a natural preserve; a virtual nature center. The house itself is built like a fortress,” said Cleary. “There”™s not a crack.”

Cleary said they have heard offers from all over the world, including from families as well as developers interested in the fully approved 10 lots. In the summer of 2008 the house was listed at $34 million. Cleary said in this market you have to be creative.