Dramatic Mirror House Designed To Reflect Its Natural Surroundings Is Listed for $15 Million in Star-Studded Enclave of Pound Ridge

A striking property with a mirrored exterior that was designed to "seamlessly" blend with its natural surroundings has been brought to the market for $15 million in an exclusive New York enclave.

The eye-popping property, which features an exterior made of glass, zinc-coated copper, and stainless steel sits on nearly 20 acres of beautiful woodland in the star-studded town of Pound Ridge, which has been home to an array of A-listers over the years, including Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, Susan Sarandon, and Richard Gere.

At first glance, the four-bedroom estate appears almost like an optical illusion with its dazzling design. Created to blend in with its natural surroundings, the reflective residence essentially disappears into the trees, its exterior changing constantly as the sun moves across the sky.

Located in Westchester County about 15 minutes north of North Stamford and a little over an hour from New York City, the “architecturally significant residence” was custom designed by architecture firm KieranTimberlake.

"The inspiration really begins with the land," says listing agent Brian Milton of COMPASS. "Rather than imposing a house on this extraordinary site, KieranTimberlake designed the residence to respond to its steep, boulder-strewn escarpment and natural plateaus.

"The volumes were carefully positioned among the rock formations, remarkably, without blasting, and the architecture becomes part of the journey through the landscape. Glass, copper and reflective stainless steel interact with the surrounding forest, changing character with the light, weather and seasons.

"Even the passage through the house was conceived as a continuation of the landscape, creating an unusually powerful relationship between architecture and nature."

The 4,485-square-foot dwelling is owned by Olga and Michael Kagan, who originally purchased the property in 2009, when they paid $1.75 million for a 33-acre spread, which came complete with an existing residence.

However, they then sold off the portion of the land with the home on it, donated another 10 acres to conservation, and finally set about building their modern work of art on the remaining 19.5 acres.

The couple previously told The Wall Street Journal that they were involved in every aspect of the design process and the build, with Michael joking that the property was something of a "vanity project" for the two of them.

"We wanted to create a piece of art," he shared.

However, the couple has now relocated full-time to Miami and therefore made the decision to list the home, offering up their architectural art piece to a new steward who will gain, not just a jaw-dropping property, but a piece of local history.

"The original 33-acre property was divided so that 10 acres were donated to the Pound Ridge Land Conservancy and named in honor of Judge Leonard Sand, the property's former owner," Milton says. "That history and conservation component add another dimension to the setting."

However, Milton notes that the combination of "architectural artistry" and "extraordinary engineering," are undoubtedly of the home's most awe-inspiring details.

"You have soaring 10- and 12-foot walls, dramatic expanses of glass, a floating staircase built around a steel core, a substantial bluestone fireplace and beautiful custom eastern walnut paneling," he says.

Designed to reflect the changing light and seasons, the gallery-inspired interior boasts glass walls, floating staircases, and custom walnut millwork.

However, beyond the aesthetics, the property features a wide range of impressively modern features, including infrastructural systems that were designed to make residents' lives as comfortable as possible.

"The Eggersmann kitchen, limestone island, climate-controlled 2,400-bottle wine cellar and professionally engineered music/home theater room bring another level of refinement," he says.

"Behind the architecture is equally sophisticated technology: geothermal heating and cooling, highly insulated SIP construction, triple-pane windows, and extensive infrastructure. It is a house where virtually every detail has been considered."

Milton believes the next buyer will be someone who not only appreciates "architecture at the highest level" but also understands "it is a significant piece of residential design."

"It could appeal to an art or architecture collector, an entrepreneur or creative individual, or someone accustomed to exceptional contemporary homes who wants something that cannot easily be replicated," he noted.

"The buyer is likely to value privacy and nature as much as finishes and amenities. With 19.5 acres and such a distinctive architectural pedigree, it offers a level of individuality that is increasingly difficult to find.

Milton also believes the home "could work beautifully" as either a primary or secondary residence.

"Despite the architectural drama, the house was designed with substantial attention to everyday livability, technology and efficiency, making it entirely practical as a primary residence," he said. "At the same time, the acreage, privacy and immersive natural setting give it the feeling of a remarkable country retreat.

"I could easily envision a buyer maintaining a residence in Manhattan and using this as their country home, but I think someone could just as readily move here full-time and never feel that they were compromising convenience for architecture."

The modern mansion perched on a knoll surrounded by granite outcroppings, lush forest, and rolling meadows is bordered on two sides by approximately 40 acres of land conservancy.

"What makes the setting exceptional is the sheer scale and character of the land," Milton adds. "The residence occupies 19.5 acres characterized by dramatic ledgerock, mature woodland, boulders, open meadow and water features. It feels remarkably removed from the outside world, yet it is in Pound Ridge, one of Westchester's most distinctive country communities."