Leahead-Gold Coast Waterfront Mansion! Imagine finding a treasure of immense worth that has been hidden for decades and forgotten by the world. Such is this mysterious “grand lady” standing before you, who, like Grizzabella in “Cats”, is ready for a new life. Unlike the ragtag cat, however, this 1896 mansion is in beautiful condition maintaining most of its gorgeous features including gleaming hardwood floors, custom-carved paneling, high, coffered and open-beam ceilings, six exquisite fireplaces, breathtaking leaded-glass windows and doors plus huge pocket doors built to match the rooms they separate. These are immense spaces waiting to entertain huge parties. Its utilities, bathrooms, kitchen, etc. are maintained and updated. Plus, the century-old adornments have not aged much. Originally over five acres of gardens, woodland, pool with waterfall, spa, and lawns extending to a rocky bluff overlooking Long Island Sound, the home’s setting remains serene and romantic with 1.34-acres encompassing all the key elements. The home has seven bedrooms, seven baths, one powder room, and a renovated kitchen with high-end finishes and appliances.

The estate’s early history has recently been discovered. In 1897, Henry W. J. Bucknall, bought the Glen Cove five-acre estate. Bucknall had been raised in Portugal and Spain, schooled in his native England, where he was football captain, and learned to appreciate history and the arts. His family was in the cork business, growing and selling bottle corks, etc. He moved to New York and became very successful importing cork. He married in 1894 and bought his new estate naming it “Leahead” after an ancestral home in England. He was one of the first to settle in a new wealthy neighborhood, “Red Spring Colony,” in Glen Cove where successful businessmen soon followed. His property included a gatehouse and a carriage house, but over the years they were sold off along with much of the property. Something happened that caused the house to lose its entire second floor and turret. The cause is unknown. The third floor remains today with two generous bedrooms that share a full bath.

 The remaining roof is mostly flat and has an added huge skylight over the first-floor reception hall, which is the center of the home. It is entered from the foyer (with its entry into the breathtaking banquet hall with barrel ceiling, massive limestone fireplace, and French doors to a patio) and leads into a huge living room with fireplace and large bay window and door opening to another patio with water views. An arched staircase leads to a balcony library and down to the butler’s pantry. French doors open to the first-floor primary suite offering many closets, a primary bath, and sitting room with impressive ornate fireplace and French doors to a patio. An adjoining bedroom has a bath and closets. The service wing of the first floor holds a walk-in pantry, laundry room, Butler’s pantry, and steps down into the eat-in kitchen with breakfast nook and access to a deck. The gourmet kitchen offers extensive cabinetry, granite counters and backsplash, a built-in stainless-steel high-end gas stovetop, double oven, microwave, dishwasher, oversized refrigerator, hood, huge double sink, and under-cabinet lighting. A wide door opens to the oak paneled banquet hall. Two bedrooms with baths complete the first floor. Not counting the huge basement with staff quarters and immense storage space, this amazing 7,594-square-foot-home is ready for you to make into your dream estate and live happily ever after. Energy Star home - Sophisticated computer controlled central heating / cooling system.