New York house with own private beach for sale for £2.7m: 50 per cent price drop on luxury estate once owned by Macy's department store family

A New York State property which has attracted a long line of notable families and dignitaries has come to market.

Originally part of the 43-acre country spread belonging to the Straus family, former owners of Macy's department stores, the estate in Westchester County was later bought by a member of the Hearst media set.

The Seychelles government purchased it in 2016 for its tourism ambassador, the British entrepreneur Justin Etzin and his then-wife, Latvian model and Maxim cover girl Lana Zakocela.

Previously listed for £5.3 million, the home is now offered at £2.7 million, meaning the new owners will get a lot of bang for their buck. Angela Kessel of Houlihan Lawrence is the selling agent.

The 7.9-acre, 14,000sq ft estate is in the town of North Castle, just half-an-hour north of Manhattan.

Surrounded by an impressive 490 acres of protected conservation land, 1503 Old Orchard Street is a truly secluded sanctuary, surrounded by trees. The estate includes a stone quarry with, at its centre, a lake, a private beach and a cottage.

The main house, built in 1931, has eight bedrooms. Ground has been dug out ready for a 60ft infinity pool overlooking the granite cliff above the lake.

Plus, the original stables and custodian’s house are still standing.

Kessel says: “As buyers' priorities change, they want more land and privacy with amenities that their family and extended family can enjoy. An immaculate freshwater beach set against the natural beauty of a quarry and beach cottage feels like a private resort just 35 minutes from NYC.”