A historic estate perched above Southport Harbor has just landed on the market, offering a piece of Connecticut’s cultural and architectural legacy — to whoever has a little over $10 million to splurge.
Known as Pebbles, this grand Georgian Revival mansion comes with nearly three acres of prime coastal land, panoramic water views, and a guest list that once read like a who’s who of 20th-century high society. Listed for $10.25 million, it’s the kind of place where sweeping terraces meet sweeping stories.
Originally built in 1927 and designed by noted architect Francis Hamilton, the estate has been lovingly preserved and sensitively updated over the years.
But its most glamorous chapter unfolded mid-century, when it was owned by Broadway producer John C. Wilson and his partner, the legendary playwright Noël Coward. From glittering summer parties to quiet creative retreats, Pebbles played host to a jaw-dropping roster of guests — including Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, Diana Vreeland, Jean Schlumberger, and Richard Rodgers, among others.
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With uninterrupted vistas of Southport Harbor, the Country Club of Fairfield, Long Island Sound, and even the Manhattan skyline, this is coastal Connecticut living at its most elegant—and most exclusive.
Built in 1927 by Francis Hamilton, Pebbles is both architecturally significant and culturally iconic. Its mid-century era as a gathering place for theatre royalty and design luminaries gives the home an air of glamour that can’t be replicated.
Inside, the nearly 6,000-square-foot residence offers 14 beautifully proportioned rooms, including 6 bedrooms, 6 full baths, and 3 half baths.
Four wood-burning fireplaces and soaring ceilings add warmth and grandeur throughout, while oversized windows bathe the interiors in natural light.
Expansive formal living and dining rooms provide ideal settings for hosting everything from elegant dinner parties to relaxed weekend brunches. French doors open to terraces that blend indoor and outdoor living, all framed by water and garden views.
Perched on nearly 3 acres — the largest lot along this coveted stretch of Sasco Hill — the home boasts unobstructed views of Southport Harbor, Long Island Sound, and the Manhattan skyline. It’s an ever-changing panorama of water, light, and sky that elevates every room and terrace.
While the home has been modernized to meet today’s standards, care has been taken to preserve its period details and architectural integrity. Decorative moldings, original fireplaces, and traditional proportions speak to its 1920s origins, while thoughtful updates ensure comfort and livability.
Few homes can claim their pool was once a movie star.
But the Fairfield estate’s striking swimming pool was featured in the cult-classic 1968 film The Swimmer, adding another layer of cultural cachet to this already storied property. If the movie was well before your time, the Burt Lancaster-led film was meant as a social commentary, loosely centered on the emptiness of suburban affluence.
Despite its feeling of seclusion, Pebbles is located just minutes from Southport Village, local beaches, and NYC-bound trains. It’s a rare combination of privacy and proximity — a quiet retreat with quick access to everything. And scenic surroundings, to boot.
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