A rare Jersey jewel.

Livingroom is proud to offer Fosse a l’Ecrivain for sale. Undoubtedly one of Jersey’s finest properties and the ultimate multi-generational family home is discreetly located in the heart of the Jersey countryside.

Originally built in 1667, Fosse a l’Ecrivain was completely remodelled and extended (completed in 2012) as part of a groundbreaking project overseen by industry experts. The breathtaking blend of historical character detail was brought to life with exquisite contemporary additions and effortless attention to detail.

Arranged over 18,667 sq.ft this architectural masterpiece is the ultimate ‘all-encompassing’ family home - boasting a generous wish list to suit all desires. From the warm and welcoming reception areas to the copious entertaining spaces and health suite/Wellness Spa, there is a room for all occasions.

Aficionados of design and architecture will follow a visually stimulating journey as they are led between spaces in the home with diverse elements never ceasing to elicit surprise. Those interested in technology will be impressed by the high-specification yet easy-to-use and discreet nature of how everything has been integrated. Crestron provides technology to the heart of the home with AV entertainment solutions, intelligent lighting, heating and integration.

You cannot fail to enjoy the immersive indoor/outdoor pool area with dual hot tubs, leisure suite with Drom designed facilities, Tiger Turf tennis court, croquet/games lawn, hidden valley, cinema, and a very spacious (fully equipped) bedroom suite to retire to at the end of each day. Whether the owners want to enjoy the privacy of the family hub, roam the extensive and diverse grounds through private paths in copse, valley and fields or use the comprehensive facilities, this magnificent property will not fail to deliver.

Fosse a l’Ecrivain is a home with sheer finesse, thought and unsurpassed attention to detail where eco credentials and quality of build will ensure a timeless property for generations to come.

GROUND FLOOR ACCOMMODATION

Reception area 1 and family entrance hall

Double height Entrance hall with exposed, polished, cast white concrete curved staircase leading to first floor office and bedroom suites, walnut and glass balustrading. Polished plaster walls (dragged travertine with embedded crystals). Rainbow and teak sandstone floor lend a muted natural feeling while the unusual linear tile pattern give a feeling of length and space. Small sitting area with gas fireplace. Staircase down to vaulted ceiling dining cellar. Leads through to games room and formal hall.

Kitchen/dining and reception room 2

Vast but homely family hub with a ‘slick and contemporary’ cooking area hand made by Rick Baker of London using an unusual but universally pleasing combination of rough cut, book matched solid oak, stainless-steel and acrylic. The kitchen is used by both family and chefs and equipped with leading brands AGA, Gaggenau and Subzero. The kitchen is a dream to use with an extensive cooking equipment list and cleverly separated preparation surfaces. The breakfast bar, central kitchen/cooking area and drinks serving areas all have their own facilities effectively giving three rooms in one. Floor tiles by Patrizia Urquiola. Separate breakfast seating area with up down window create another interesting feature in this amazing space.

Fixed floor to ceiling windows frame views of the garden whilst the moving floor to ceiling windows on both sides of the room create a vast indoor/outdoor space leading on the east side to an amphitheatre kitchen garden with a Mediterranean feel and an extensive sheltered patio complex to the west with various seating areas looking on to pool and back on to the rest of the house.

The living area gives space for large dining table and seating areas with real fireplace.

Reception room 3 (currently playroom/Kids TV Snug but suitable for a plethora of other uses)

A fantastic and inspiring room with direct access to the kitchen. The floor, created by Floor Ink/Forbo, gives an immediate sense of adventure with curved walls and large illuminated walk on roof lights extending this feeling. The room looks on to the indoor pool and kitchen garden on the other. Floor to ceiling sliding window give access to the patio area. Built-in cupboards. TV snug is separate/enclosed with all entertainment/AV facilities available.

Larder

Directly behind kitchen with abundant shelving and space for second side by side fridge/freezer.

Utility room/drying room

Wisely segregated thoroughfare and space for laundry and excess kitchen equipment keeping facilities close but well out of sight. This room provides space for 4 washing machines and tumble driers ensuring laundry turnaround time is minimal. Messy kids’ projects and cleaning can be kept at bay. Leads on to separate drying room and server room.

The cellar dining room

Directly below the kitchen and flowing down from the hallway is a real surprise: a curved polished white concrete staircase leads to a vaulted subterranean space which can be used as a dining/entertainment room with a spectacular acclimatised wine cellar by Winess. Comfortably seating up to 26 the dining space provides an atmospheric setting. A kitchenette with dumbwaiter from the kitchen will allow chef and serving staff to transfer food from the kitchen quickly, safely and quietly and provides the perfect ante room to clear up with oven, fridge, sink and dishwasher.

Shared WC with leisure facility.

Reception room 4

Currently used as a pool hall/entertaining space with space for a 10-foot table.

Reception room 5 with double height mezzanine entrance hall

Sandstone floor continuing from family hallway. Large gas fireplace, unusual wrought iron and glass double front door imported from America. Minstrel gallery of chrome and toughened glass imported from Italy joining upper floors of house.

Ante hall

Architectural glass Tourelle, polished white concrete staircase leading to 1st floor, WC, cloakroom.

Reception room 6 / Living room

Herringbone smoked wood flooring by Trunk, polished plaster walls, Planika fireplace, architectural lighting, built-in illuminated display wall by Ken Hopes. All AV systems available, patio door access to garden.

Library

Polished concrete flooring. Built-in super-thin and patinated steel shelving created by Brian Creany and imported from his workshops in the USA. Base illuminated, dragged plaster walls behind the shelving create a stunning visual effect in the evening. Recessed gas fireplace and seating area. Stairs to guest suite.

Office/library 2

Polished concreted floors with built-in desk against curved wall. Network, power and telephone points. Curved walls with bespoke rough-cut oak shelves between slot windows overlooking valley. Leads to the garden room. Floor to ceiling sliding window gives indoor/outdoor feel.

Garden room

Designed specifically as an octagonal space to take in the panoramic views of the patio, garden and secluded wooded valley with flowing stream, the architecturally pleasing raised space with exposed oak beams and suspended cast iron chimney that serves a real fire with quiet running Exodraft fan, this room provides an amazing space for entertaining groups or snuggling up with a glass of wine in the winter, looking back and admiring at the full extent of the house and garden.

Cinema

A hidden cinema complex leads down from the office/sunroom. This is not a ‘darkened room with a large screen’ – instead a full designed cinematic experience is on offer with a Starglass screen and Projection Design rear projector with anamorphic lens housed in a separate room behind the screen giving a very quiet viewing experience. Served by the facilities available in the rest of the house, it also has its own Kaleidoscope player and gaming potential.

Plush furnishings with space for built-in seating, and bean bags, give this cinema a homely rather than mini commercial feeling.

FIRST FLOOR ACCOMMODATION

The 1st floor and 2 additional separate floors comprise entirely of bedroom suites with the exception of a small second office area at the top of the family entrance hall staircase. There are 6 suites including the master suite. A seventh is provided within the integral self-contained flat.

Each suite is equipped with the wiring/possibility of the full complement of AV features the house has to offer. Each provides a quiet-running combined air conditioning and heating system served by the house’s economical ASHPs. Each has a separate bathroom with shower and bath, well-appointed with Hansgrohe sanitary wear and bespoke cabinetry. Special mention should be given to the bespoke family bath in one of the suites created by Cabuchon that fits three children for entertaining bath times. Each suite is of very generous proportions, but different in shape and size.

Primary suite

The Primary suite is a space of generous proportions and a feeling of serenity. The glass wall may be one of Jersey’s largest sliding/opening windows and provides access to a spacious Iroko decked terrace overlooking the amphitheatre and garden. Large separate dressing areas with an entire wall of shoe alcoves and innovative built in cabinetry will satisfy those with the most capacious of wardrobes. A large bathroom with a bespoke double bath (Cabouchon), double shower with large rain heads and seating area allow for extended evening relaxation, whilst a full complement of AV including a hidden in floor TV/Cinema facility in the master bedroom and TV in the bathroom allow for extended entertainment should it be wished. The fireplace adds an extra feeling of warmth in winter and the soft furnishings carefully thought out by an interior designer.

Integral flat

Leading off from the family hallway and with its own separate entrance this older part of the house provides an ideally connected but separate feeling for visiting relatives, nanny, or member of staff. It is a studio flat with living space/bed space, fully equipped kitchenette and bathroom with shower over bath. It has its own AV, lighting and underfloor heating.

Garage flat

600 sq.ft 2 bedroom garage flat. Modern, well-appointed running on electricity and water services from the main building.

Garaging

2 x double garage

Double car port

THE WELLNESS SPA

Pool hall

Modern pool complex installed by London Swimming Pools. 20m lap section with tumble turn pit at shallow end will serve serious swimmers well. Concealed cover coming from base of pool keeps lines clean. Imported Stainless Steel Spa by Diamond Spas (USA). Fully retracting (behind walls) floor to ceiling windows on two sides of this hall and a pool sized roof light give a truly indoor our door feeling to this incredible space. Leads on to expansive sun deck, terraced tropical garden and second outdoor stainless-steel spa with fire-pit.

Spa area

Double helix curved staircase leads down to serene leisure suite with Drom designed sauna and steam room with curved moulded benches in both. Peaceful seating area with 2 changing rooms, showers and WC.

Gym

Leads off from leisure suite area with ample space for several large pieces of equipment. Floor to ceiling mirrors, full AV facilities.

SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY

Heating

The house has underfloor heating throughout provided by Air Source Heat Pumps outside the building. There are separate units for the underfloor heating, bedroom heating/air conditioning and pool complex. All are managed through a BMS system connected to a Crestron interface (touchscreens) for members of the family to use and control. People may use Apple and Android devices to control these functions also.

Lighting

The London Lighting Corporation was responsible for the lighting systems and design. They gave the house an understated lighting solution that compliments architectural features and creates desired moods. The house looks stunning in the evening with the outside and grounds gently lit although with the option to expand should the new user wish.

There are traditional light switches throughout keeping it very simple for those that prefer tradition with occasional additional button panels where more options are needed. All buttons are fully programmable to match a family’s needs and can be altered using an internet browser. All lights in the house can be operated using a central Crestron control panel or Apple/Android device.

Audio Visual

Dawsons AV from Bournemouth designed and implemented all Audio Visual and home Automation solutions. They provided a user defined solution to enable control of heating, lighting, entertainment and IT services.

Every room in the house has Cat 6e cables connected back to the central server hub. All are terminated on panels ready for connection or provide a full solution where currently desired.

The entertainment system offer the following services: Sky box x 3, Apple TV x 3 Kaleidoscope Movies/Music players/service x 3, radio, video camera, Games machines in the cinema and playroom. All bedrooms have the ability to provide all the services if desired. The Master bedroom has all including surround sound for a cinema experience. All living areas have in ceiling, concealed or surface mounted speakers. All can be controlled by Crestron control panels and Apple or Android devices.

All rooms have Wi-Fi, and the house has a gigabit fibre connection at present.

Security

A video camera system is installed and viewable from all screens/handheld devices. All windows have sensors and can be determined opened or closed from a central panel. G4s system currently installed.