The Day – Marvelous Mason’s Island
“Mason’s Island has, was, and always will be one of the most coveted addresses in southeast Connecticut,” said Judi Caracausa. She is the broker-owner of Market Realty, LLC in Mystic, and the seller’s representative for the only home currently for sale in all of Mason’s Island – 2 Cove Hill Road.
Mason’s Island is approximately 600 acres and sits just offshore of Stonington, Connecticut. The island takes its name from Major John Mason, an English settler who fought in the Pequot War of 1637 and later became the eighth Deputy Governor of the Colony of Connecticut in 1660. Mason was bequeathed the land as a result of the war, and his descendants owned the land for centuries, until 1913, when local residents acquired it and founded the Masons Island Company, a residential association concerned with limited development and the preservation of its ecosystem nature and coastal beauty.
In the 20th century, the community of Mason’s Island began as a summer retreat accessed by nearby Noank. A local family – whose name will be familiar to residents and visitors to Mystic – the Allyns, are now dedicated stewards of the Mason’s Island Homeowners Association.
The 10 room clapboard home at 2 Cove Hill Road was built in 1991, on a 0.56 acre corner lot. Caracausa describes the interiors as “light, bright and open.” In addition to the 3,371 square feet of living space between the two main levels, the partially finished lower level offers an additional 1,418 square feet.
The contemporary-style home was custom built, featuring cathedral ceilings, hardwood floors, skylights, and three wood-burning fireplaces, one of which is double-sided.
With sliding doors that open to the back patio, the eat-in kitchen features bar seating, granite tops and skylights for an abundance of natural light. Naturally, this is the center of the floor plan, which also offers living and dining rooms, a family room, a den and a home office.
The floor plan also offers the next owner some flexibility. For example, the first floor home office could be used as an additional bedroom. It sits next to a full bathroom.
Bedrooms are on the second level, including the master bedroom – featuring a 19ft by 15ft bedroom, full bath and walk-in closet. It has hookups for a washer and dryer, should the buyer wish to add these appliances to the space. The second level also has an open living area, a comfortable and quiet place for conversation or reading.
“The 1,418-square-foot lower level is partially finished with a very comfortable 22-by-12-foot family or media room. It’s perfect for your big-screen TV and so comfortable you won’t want to leave it.” Caracausa said . “In addition, there is a generous amount of clean and dry storage space, ideal for patio furniture, kayaks and more. It also includes house mechanics and bulkhead access to the exterior for easy access to stowed furniture, bikes and kayaks.”
Caracausa pointed out that the house has central air conditioning, as well as a three-zone heating system.
The property spans just over half an acre and sits on one of the island’s finger peninsulas, stretching out toward Long Island Sound. It is surrounded on three sides by the waters of Bass Strait, inner Mud Cove and Poggy Bay. Mason’s Island Yacht Club is less than a mile away.
Broker Caracausa represented buyers or sellers of the last three Masons Island properties for sale – the most recent transaction in October 2021, she noted. “The inventory on the island remains quite low,” she said.
“In addition, land sales have been extremely dynamic on the island,” she added. “Currently, there is only one house for sale, at $1.795 million, and four building lots available for purchase, ranging in price from $425,000 to $995,000 for raw land. “
“There is a voluntary contribution of $50 per year, per household, to belong to the Mason’s Island Property Owners Association (MIPOA),” Caracausa added.
The coastal setting and outlook have broad appeal, but this property may be particularly appealing to luxury home buyers who wish to spend time exploring the area “by the sea”.
“Fishers Island Sound has some of the best boating on the US East Coast, and Masons Island is perfectly located for easy access to the Sound, with its prime location at the mouth of the Mystic River,” Caracausa said. “Sportfishing is also popular in the deeper waters off Montauk and Block Island Sound. … There are moorings and dockage available for owners, and the proposal at Mason’s Island Yacht Club is permitted.”
Property: 2 Cove Hill Road, Stonington
Bedrooms: 4
Baths: 3
Square area: 3,371
Area: 0.56
Asking price: $1.795 million
Seller’s Agent: Judi Caracausa, Market Realty, LLC; Mobile: (860) 572-1155; buymystic@aol.com
