Discover Vermont’s stunning 10.5-acre estate nestled along Lake Champlain, now available for an impressive $17.995 million. This luxurious property, affectionately known as Deer Hill, represents one of Vermont’s most extravagant real estate listings to date. The proud owners, Bill Wells, a pharmaceutical company magnate, and his wife, Andrea “Andy” Wells, have decided to put this breathtaking estate on the market.
Deer Hill is located in Shelburne, just a stone’s throw away from the charming town of Burlington. This magnificent estate boasts over 100 feet of pristine lake frontage and provides unrivaled 180-degree panoramic views of the majestic Adirondack Mountains, a true masterpiece of nature. Bill Wells acquired the property back in 2007 for $3.25 million, and it has since become a cherished family retreat, especially after his marriage to Andy Wells in 2014.
Bill Wells, who holds dual Canadian and U.S. citizenship, purchased the Vermont estate while taking up a position in Canada. His intention was to have a residence conveniently located near the U.S.-Canada border, making the Deer Hill estate a perfect choice.
In his quest to create an architectural marvel, Bill Wells meticulously designed and constructed a 7,100-square-foot main house with three bedrooms, completing it in 2010. Additionally, he built a two-bedroom guesthouse atop the old barn’s foundation and a new barn featuring four box stalls, paddocks, a chicken coop, an equipment shed, and an environmentally friendly composting setup.
- Advertisement -
Deer Hill stands within Shelburne Farms, one of seven private estates encompassing a vast 1,400-acre area. Historically, this land was once part of the estate of William Seward Webb and Eliza Osgood Vanderbilt, a descendant of the renowned Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt. This historic connection is further solidified by the fact that Frederick Law Olmsted, the brilliant mind behind New York’s Central Park and the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, was responsible for the landscaping here. Today, Shelburne Farms thrives as a working farm, a public park, and an inn.
Bill Wells took inspiration from various architectural styles when designing the new house. Elements from Japanese architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright’s principles, and the charm of Shelburne Farms’ architecture have all been artfully incorporated. The result is a captivating blend of diverse styles that harmoniously coexist.
Deer Hill is adorned with commissioned artworks that seamlessly fit into its aesthetic. For instance, a sculpture of crystal balls graces the space between the great room and dining area. The media room features a TV console crafted from a sandblasted, wire-brushed, and waxed steel roll, reminiscent of one at the Toronto airport. A screen separating the kitchen and media space pays homage to a similar piece in the Four Seasons Resort Whistler. Bill Wells emphasizes that these artworks are an integral part of the home’s character.
The Wellses have also embraced sustainable living with two bee hives producing honey and an herb garden adjacent to the kitchen. Andy Wells even cultivates her fruits and vegetables in a delightful “market garden” by the barn, making it a truly romantic endeavor.
Bill Wells is the chairman of Evizone, a provider of secure communications services, and the founder of Dreamdos Therapeutics, a medical cannabis company. Andy Wells, on the other hand, is a co-founder of Casa de Suna, a lifestyle and home décor website.
- Advertisement -
While Bill Wells has primarily resided in Barbados since 2008, the Vermont home has remained a cherished family retreat. The decision to sell stems from their ownership of another lakefront property in Ontario, closer to family, where they plan to build their new home. “It was a difficult decision, but ultimately three houses were just one too many,” Bill Wells confessed.
The Vermont real estate market remains active, although it has witnessed a slight decline in the number of transactions. Wade Weathers, the listing agent, in collaboration with colleague Averill Cook from LandVest, is tasked with marketing this extraordinary property. Notably, they are also overseeing the listing of a 22-acre property in Shelburne Farms, currently listed for $9.975 million, emphasizing that only time will reveal the fate of these remarkable estates.
