Hot House: 1838 Circle Road, Ruxton, MD 21204
Brick, two story house,with cedar shingle roof, circa 1939, in 18th century Virginia Tidewater style. 7,132 sq. ft., with five bedrooms, five full and three half baths with private au pair/in-law apartment. 34’ gourmet kitchen with large pantry and wet bar, second kitchen, family room, multiple fireplaces, master bedroom suite, lower level rec room, mud room, two bluestone patios, 3 car garage, circular drive, porch, professional landscaping. 1.5 acre property, partially fenced: $1,750,000
What: Way, way more than it seems. This is the home of Chris Lee and his wife Susan Ginkel. Lee is the founder and Managing Partner of Highstar Capital, a leader in infrastructure investments, and Chairman of Ports America, which owns and operates the Port of Baltimore. The house is deceptively modest from the outside, with a pretty setting, a prized location and lavish appointments behind its quiet red brick façade. From the entrance foyer, there is an easy flow through a formal living room with fireplace, formal dining room with French doors onto the patio, and into a huge but welcoming kitchen with family room behind. Hardwood floors and crown molding throughout. Kitchen has granite counters on island, commercial range and stainless KitchenAid appliances. Light pours in from more French doors off the back of the house. The pantry is a room in itself, as is the butler’s pantry, with glass front cabinets and wet bar, which has a hammered copper sink and a portal to the stone-floored study. Mud room off the kitchen leads to the garage and the nice apartment upstairs. All the bedrooms in the main house are upstairs – they’re good sized, and each has its’ own full bath. Magnificent master suite with separate whirlpool tub and glass shower, as well as balcony, fireplace, walk-in closet and dressing room. The huge finished rec room on the lower level has a nice gaming area. A luxurious and comfortable home. Property backs on 415 acre Robert E. Lee Park.
Where: Circle Road is among the most prestigious addresses in Ruxton, and 1838 is in an even-more-private enclave set back from the main road. Neighbors are close enough to be friendly, and far enough to stay that way. You are about a half-mile from Graul’s grocery store, Graul’s wine shop and the jewelbox shops at Ruxton Station. The L’Hirondelle Club pool and tennis courts are even closer. From here, it’s about 10 minutes to I-83, 20 minutes to downtown.
Why: ‘We like the understated luxury of the house. If we wanted a higher profile, we’d have it.’
Why Not: “Where’s the pool? Where’s the vaulted entrance? For the price, we want a little more bling.”
Would Suit: Modest billionaire. Warren Buffet.
NB: Interesting market history. In 2008, the house sold for $2,500,000, after selling for just $608,000 in 1999.
