Two former presidential homes available for over $5 million

Presidential Properties in New Jersey’s Housing Market

The New Jersey housing scene is experiencing some notable activity, especially with ties to past presidents.

This month, a home in Princeton once owned by former President Woodrow Wilson crossed the $2 million mark. Interestingly, there’s another presidential residence hitting the market in the same upscale area.

Woodrow Wilson lived in a seven-bedroom, 5½ bathroom Tudor Revival home until his presidency began in 1912. Currently, this property is listed for $6.5 million.

The house, located at 82 Library Place, spans three stories and sits on three-quarters of an acre. Built in 1896, it boasts charming features such as stained glass pocket doors, greenhouses, and “two patios serenaded by fountains and cascaded koi ponds.”

The former First Lady, Ellen Axon Wilson, contributed to the home’s design, despite not being a trained architect. John Milton Cooper Jr., a professor and author of a biography on Wilson, mentioned, “This is one home he and his wife really made themselves.”

There’s also a heated bathroom floor, along with a balcony and cozy window seats. Sotheby’s describes the home as having exclusive qualities, highlighting its historical significance.

Barbara Blackwell, a Sotheby’s real estate agent, noted, “The president’s home should have premiums attached to both the buyer’s interest and the selling price.” There seems to be a consensus that properties with presidential affiliations inherently come with added value.

Wilson, who served from 1913 to 1921, sold this residence in 1921 to John G. Hibben, who succeeded him as President of Princeton University.

In addition to Wilson’s home, another notable property once owned by President Grover Cleveland was on the market recently. This Georgian mansion, which dates back to 1854, was sold for $5.28 million on August 8, having been listed for over a year at an original price of $5.95 million.

Cleveland called this residence “Westland,” after his friend Andrew West, a Princeton professor. The home is now a certified national historic landmark.

Diving into history a bit, during Cleveland’s tenure, Wilson was actually the president of the university and went on to become New Jersey’s 34th governor in 1911, a role he held until taking office.