8 Historic Thimble Islands on the Market for $78 Million: Report

Branford, CT — A once-in-a-lifetime real estate listing has just come on the market as Christine and Edmund Stoecklein have listed eight historic Thimble Islands for the asking price of $78 million, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The islands, many of which have homes, are all located off the coast of Branford.

The Wall Street Journal reported in 2003 that Christine Stoecklein spent $22.3 million for Rogers Island, which is the crown jewel and is now on the market, and all together she spent $30 million to buy all of the islands.

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She also spent countless sums of money to renovate the islands. The couple plans to sell all but one of their islands, West Crib, as they are moving to Washington State, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The historic islands are on the market and are listed by Sotheby’s International Realty out of Greenwich and agent Shelly Tretter Lynch.

According to Sotheby's listing of the islands, “the Thimble Islands Portfolio is the rarest and most remarkable assemblage of private islands available for purchase on the Eastern Seaboard.

“Acquired and completely restored, updated and expanded over 20 years’ time by the current owners, the offering includes 8 private islands with 8 separate residences, multiple guest houses, amenities & outbuildings,” the listing states.

“No cost was spared nor attention to detail compromised in polishing this private island paradise to perfection,” according to the real estate listing.

Rogers Island

Rogers Island is an 8-acre island featuring breathtaking landscaping, and the restored historic “turn-of-the century manor house sits on the island’s highest point overlooking 3/4 of a mile of coastline and out to Long Island Sound,” according to the listing.

Some features include a pool, tennis courts and even a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf hole. The islands can be accessed five to 10 minutes from shore via boat or just 20 minutes from Manhattan via helicopter.

For more information on the Thimble Islands listing and to view more photos and video click here.

Read the full Wall Street Journal story here.

Photo credit: Sotheby’s International