Historic Astor Tea House in Rhinebeck Listed for $7 Million
A one-of-a-kind tea house once owned by America’s wealthiest family is now on the market for $7 million. Built by the extravagant Astor family—once considered the richest in the nation—this whimsical structure was originally designed as a private entertainment retreat in Rhinebeck, New York.
Constructed on the Ferncliff estate, the tea house served as a secluded getaway for Vincent Astor, the family patriarch, who enjoyed afternoon tea—or sometimes stronger spirits—with guests. A quaint railway once linked the tea house to the main residence.
From Ruin to Revival
In the early 2000s, an elderly couple purchased the tea house with plans to expand and eventually make it their home. However, the project was abandoned midway, leaving the structure unoccupied for seven years.
Enter Robert Duffy, co-founder of the fashion brand Marc Jacobs. In 2013, he acquired the teahouse and its 44 surrounding acres for $2.31 million after the Ferncliff estate had been subdivided and sold—65 years after the teahouse was built. Having lived nearby in the 1980s, Duffy had stumbled upon the neglected building during a feature interview with Elle Decor and was drawn to its untapped potential.
Architectural Restoration & Luxe Design
Duffy described the original building as octagonal, flanked by two brick wings and featuring arched doorways. He recalled a moment during renovations when pressing a column caused his fingers to sink into the deteriorated material. To restore structural integrity, designer Richard McGeehan sourced historical cast-iron pillars from London.
The team embarked on an extensive interior transformation to reflect Duffy’s refined taste. The central tea room became a grand living space, complete with vintage Persian rugs, a Moroccan armoire, an English lacquered secretary desk, and Charles Webster Hawthorne paintings from 1910 in gilded frames.
The north wing of the residence now includes:
- A master bedroom
- A bathroom
- A dressing room
- Two additional bedrooms
- A private library
The south wing features:
- Two more bedrooms
- A modern bathroom
- A chef’s kitchen with stainless steel fixtures, a center island, and white subway tiles
- A dining area with hand-painted wallpaper
- A well-lit office space
Grounds & Amenities
Beyond the main house, the property offers a luxurious array of features:
- A 65-foot saltwater pool with a poolside pavilion
- A charming guest barn
- A maintenance barn
- A whimsical treehouse nestled among the trees
The Astor Legacy
The Astor family’s roots in American wealth trace back to German immigrant John Jacob Astor, who built his fortune in fur trading and Manhattan real estate during the early 1800s. His great-grandson, Vincent Astor, inherited the family fortune at the age of 20 after his father perished on the Titanic.
Following Vincent’s death in 1959, his widow sold off parts of the estate, and much of the remaining wealth was funneled into the Vincent Astor Foundation.
Today, remnants of the Ferncliff legacy are still owned by notable figures. Photographer Annie Leibovitz and former Google chairman Eric Schmidt hold portions of the original estate. In fact, Astor Courts—owned by Schmidt—was the celebrated venue for Chelsea Clinton’s 2010 wedding.
Now, with its lavish upgrades and storied past, this revived tea house is ready for a new chapter in Hudson Valley luxury.
