A striking modern home in Pound Ridge, New York, has entered the market for $15 million. Its mirrored exterior reflects the surrounding trees, rocks, sky, and changing light, giving the four-bedroom residence an unusual connection to its 19.5-acre setting.
The home sits in the Westchester County community of Pound Ridge, about 15 minutes north of North Stamford and a little more than an hour from New York City. The town has attracted several well-known residents over the years, including Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, Susan Sarandon, and Richard Gere.
A House Shaped by the Land
The 4,485-square-foot residence was custom designed by architecture firm KieranTimberlake. Rather than clearing the site for a conventional building, the architects positioned the home around its existing rock formations, steep escarpment, and natural plateaus.
Listing agent Brian Milton of COMPASS said the design began with the land itself. He explained that the architects placed the building volumes around the rock formations without blasting them away. Glass, copper, and reflective stainless steel then interact with the surrounding woods as daylight, weather, and seasons change.
The reflective exterior creates a shifting appearance throughout the day. From certain angles, the home can seem to recede into the trees rather than stand apart from them.
Milton also noted that the movement through the house continues this relationship with the property. The layout connects interior spaces with the wooded surroundings, making the changing outdoor setting an important part of the home’s experience.
How the Property Took Shape
Olga and Michael Kagan purchased the original 33-acre property in 2009 for $1.75 million. At the time, the land included an existing home.
The couple later divided the property. They sold the section containing the original residence and donated another 10 acres to conservation. That left 19.5 acres for the construction of their custom-designed home.
The donated land became part of the Pound Ridge Land Conservancy and was named in honor of Judge Leonard Sand, a former owner of the property. That conservation history remains part of the property’s story.
The Kagans previously told The Wall Street Journal that they participated closely in the design and construction process. Michael Kagan described the project as a “vanity project” and said, “We wanted to create a piece of art.”
The couple has since moved to Miami full-time, leading them to put the Pound Ridge residence on the market.
Inside the Modern Residence
The interior continues the home’s contemporary architectural approach. Large glass walls bring views of the woods indoors, while tall walls and carefully selected materials give the rooms a gallery-like character.
The residence includes 10- and 12-foot walls, a floating staircase built around a steel core, a large bluestone fireplace, and custom eastern walnut paneling.
The kitchen features an Eggersmann design and a limestone island. A climate-controlled wine cellar can hold about 2,400 bottles. The property also includes a professionally engineered music and home theater room.
These features sit alongside practical systems designed for year-round comfort and efficiency. The home uses geothermal heating and cooling, highly insulated structural insulated panel (SIP) construction, and triple-pane windows.
Milton described the home’s technology as just as carefully planned as its visible architecture. Extensive infrastructure supports the residence while allowing its design to remain the focus.
The property occupies a wooded knoll surrounded by granite outcroppings, mature trees, rolling meadows, and water features. About 40 acres of land conservancy border two sides of the property, adding another layer of open space around the residence.
Milton said the setting stands out because of its size and natural character. The 19.5 acres combine exposed ledgerock, woodland, meadow, boulders, and water features while remaining close to the amenities of Pound Ridge.
The combination gives the property a rare balance. It feels secluded, yet the location keeps it within practical reach of New York City and nearby communities.
What Sets the Design Apart
The home’s defining feature is its reflective exterior. Glass, zinc-coated copper, and stainless steel create surfaces that respond to their surroundings instead of presenting one fixed appearance.
Sunlight changes how the materials look during the day. Weather can alter the reflections, while seasonal changes in the trees create a different backdrop throughout the year.
Inside, the architects continued that idea through glass walls and open connections to the property. The result is a residence where the setting remains visible from many parts of the home.
Milton believes the property could attract an art or architecture collector, an entrepreneur, a creative professional, or a buyer who already appreciates highly customized contemporary residences.
Primary Home or Country Retreat?
Despite its unusual design, the residence was planned for everyday use. Its modern heating, cooling, insulation, windows, kitchen, entertainment areas, and other systems support life in the home throughout the year.
Milton said the property could serve as either a primary residence or a second home. Someone based in Manhattan could use it as a country residence, while another buyer could make Pound Ridge a full-time home.
The acreage also provides privacy without requiring the owner to give up access to the wider New York metropolitan area.
The $15 million Pound Ridge property combines distinctive modern architecture with 19.5 acres of woodland. Olga and Michael Kagan developed the home after purchasing the original 33-acre parcel in 2009 and donating 10 acres to conservation.
Designed by KieranTimberlake, the residence uses reflective glass, copper, and stainless steel to connect the interiors with the surrounding woods. Custom walnut finishes, expansive windows, and modern building systems add to its character.
Now listed after the Kagans’ move to Miami, the four-bedroom home offers a distinctive example of contemporary residential design shaped around its existing natural setting.
