Fieldston is an affluent neighborhood located on the highest elevation in New York City, in the Riverdale section. It is graced with an abundance of trees, historical buildings, prestigious private schools, and a sense of tranquility, yet it’s only 15 minutes away from the heart of Manhattan.
This historical area is home to many distinctive mansions. Among them, Chapel Hill Mansion is perhaps the most special. The 15,000-square-foot mansion, which sits on 2.5 acres, was built in 1928.
Decades later, in 1987, the Galutens purchased the mansion and took a total of 25 years to finish the full-scale renovation. They built 17 rooms, including a glass house, library, wet bar, walk-in freezer, cocktail lounge, home theater, and a gym with a huge sauna—providing a variety of entertainment. The building has a water treatment system and is equipped with a whole-house generator, so the residents don’t need to worry about power outages.
Chapel Hill Mansion is solidly built and sturdy like a castle. The interior design is especially exceptional. The Galutens adopted a luxurious style to create the glamorous atmosphere. They hired Plaza Hotel’s ceiling artist to paint each living room, a process that took four years to finish. They used top-quality materials throughout, including the same chandelier for the lobby as the one in the Plaza Hotel, a handcrafted fireplace like one in the White House, three huge Tiffany stained glass windows, limestone walls, and imported marble floor tiles like those in the Vatican. These elegantly restored features give the feel of royalty.
