808 Valley Road, Watchung, NJ

Setting the Standard for Suburban Living in Watchung, NJ
About Watchung
The sophisticated suburb of Watchung, NJ, a Somerset County town just 25 miles west from Midtown Manhattan, tends to draw young families seeking a small town feel, a slice of nature, larger homes and top rated schools. This 6.2-square-mile community sweeps across two ridges of the Watchung Mountains, wedged between NJ Route 22 and Interstate 78, offers stunning vistas, winding roads, rolling hills, babbling brooks, abundant wildlife and two lakes. Watchung takes its name from the Leni Lenape Indian word meaning ''high hills”.
Schools
Watchung's children attend the Bayberry School, covering K-4, the Valley View School for grades 5 -8, before going on the Watchung Hills Regional High School in neighboring Warren Township. The high school also serves Green Brook and Long Hill Townships. It has been recognized in a White House ceremony, sponsored by the Department of Education, as one of the nation’s Blue Ribbon schools.
Amenities
Less than 25 miles from New York City, nestled outside the Watchung Reservation, this private setting has shopping, recreation, schools and trains to NYC only minutes away with access to either Summit or Berkeley Heights downtowns. The closest major malls are the Short Hills Mall, 13 miles to the northeast, and Bridgewater Commons, 12 miles to the west. The Brook Hill Swim and Tennis Club offers Train service to New York City’s Penn Station is 44 mins from the neighboring Summit, NJ train station.
808 Valley Rd
One of the town’s most amazing custom homes, known as “The Watchung Castle” just went up for sale and we have the privilege of representing it. Built in 2003, this exquisitely designed custom home rests on 5.4 acres of gorgeous property. Nothing has been overlooked, as architectural details and highest quality finishes are on display at every turn.
Inviting you in to explore, granite stone pillars flank the private entry gate. This is a fitting start to the exceptional lifestyle that awaits. The stone walkway, across the sweeping front lawns, leads you to a 3” thick custom front door made of solid Walnut. Once inside, you are immediately immersed in the magnificent foyer with grand butterfly staircase. Broad archways reveal generous rooms designed for high style entertaining and casual daily living. These are highlighted with custom Mahogany and Walnut wood, limestone, marble, soapstone and Brazilian Epay hardwood floors and there are a total of four handcrafted fireplaces which bring their own unique statement to each room. The sophisticated dining room offers coffered ceilings and a custom Walnut built-in. The designer kitchen opens to an impressive sun-drenched family room and, beyond, to a comfortable TV room. The modern ‘great room’ concept is truly at play here. French doors to the back patio offer seasonal views. The library has a wall of custom Mahogany bookshelves display your books and artifacts from travels near and far, and a separate hidden wine tasting room features a 20’ peaked ceiling with copper dome.
The high standards set by the main level continue to the second level, where four bedrooms, three baths and a home gym are located. Set to rival the amenities of a 5-Star hotel, the master suite features a tray ceiling lined with custom wood trim and opens to a private sitting room with fireplace and French doors to a private balcony overlooking the pool. Two California walk-in closets provide exceptional storage. Luxury is an understatement in the master bath, featuring a private balcony, oversized shower and jetted spa tub. From the master bath, you access the enormous home gym that includes a sauna and steam room. The family bedrooms all have ample closet storage and convenient access to the two remaining baths. The third level is finished to include a office and substantial storage capacity. The finished lower level offers a recreation room, game room, media room, dry bar, powder room and loads of storage space.
Exquisite living space is carried outside, where a bluestone patio overlooks an expansive backyard bordered by light woods. The Gunite in-ground pool adds to the resort quality of this backyard. There is tremendous space for al fresco dining and pool-side entertaining, while the yard easily welcomes active play. For the avid gardener, five and one-half acres provide more than enough space to exercise a green thumb. The driveway extends to the side of the home, where an oversized 4-car heated garage with high ceilings serves as a safe haven for your luxury vehicles and garden items. There is also a private dog run in the side yard, which could alternatively be used as a private garden.
Truly a unique experience, this one-of-a-kind property invites you to take full advantage of all that Watchung has to offer, while being less than 25 miles from New York City.