A Man’s Home is His...Chateau?

It’s the 21st century and that familiar headline phrase, attributed to English jurist and politician Sir Edward Coke, according to the Chicago Tribune, in turn quoting Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, “had little to do with which of the sexes ruled the roost and everything to do with the human right to privacy.”

In any case, the “castle” (as locals have nicknamed it) on Summit Road, is really more of a French-style chateau, supposedly conjured into existence in the 1920s by a prominent Boston doctor and his wife who had fallen in love with France on a European trip. The owners at the moment are both Rod Crochiere, a Navy-vet and businessman, and his wife Marsha Crochiere, a biotech researcher.

They have made the restoration and selective modernization of the structure their labor of love. But parting with their home is a priority now as their children reach maturity and downsizing begins to make more sense.

Represented in their prospective sale by local realtor Marcie Rappa, the listing description  references the 1.26 acres of wooded land. Then there are the four bedrooms and four bathrooms -- 11 rooms in total -- with “amazing millwork throughout,” five fireplaces, two staircases, numerous skylights, dining room with three arched double doors leading to a veranda with a six-person hot tub.

And if that’s not tantalizing enough, throw in the oversized master bedroom [with] an exceptional view, skylight, fireplace and walk-in closets in its own wing with a private bathroom. And a “lodge-like expansive living room” that has five built-in bookcases, oversized fireplace and tree-top views. Oh, and the home office just off the living room has a private entrance. Let’s not forget the “large entertaining kitchen” that boasts beautiful millwork, double-width island with cooktop, double-oven, pantry, and pellet stove.

The property actually includes three parcels of land, one of which has an additional town water & sewer easement to Hillside "for future potential expansion."

Stories, and Histories

Of course, there are stories. Rod recalls moving in just before Thanksgiving and inviting a large collection of family members to meet the new home. It was a great idea until the sewer pipe failed. And since the pipe traveled through a number of private property easements to reach Hillside Road, it took time and quite a bit of money to fix. But, as Rod said, “I don’t think of myself as the owner but more as the steward of something very historic.” Certainly, few of the repairs or improvement have been simple.

Besides, radical modifications would be tricky given that the home is largely built directly on a large rock outcropping. Summit Road is located off of Park Road in a beeline east of Grant Field at Dean College. The Dean Campus is much of the western view from the home while the eastern view is lots of treetops with Norfolk and Wrentham in the distance.

According to an extensive history of the property presented to the Crochieres by the previous owner,  Francis Patten Emerson, a doctor at Mass. Eye & Ear, and his wife Rena C. Emerson had lived in Brookline prior to buying land for their Franklin home in 1929. Sadly, Rena died in 1932 but Francis continued to live there with his daughter and son in law until his passing in 1944.

The home had at least one live-in servant initially and the elaborate system of “speaking tubes” for summoning help is still intact.

The Lawrence family was the next owner of the home and, with terrible timing, an auction was scheduled to sell the property in 1978 just as the Blizzard of `78 put the region under lock and key.

Tantalizing to Locals

Rod said the property is currently listed at an asking price $1,150,000 – pricey but hardly unusual in a hot market. Unfortunately, he explains, there has been so much curiosity about the property that he has had to ask the realtor to screen out all but buyers that could actually afford the price tag.

And no matter that he and his wife are selling, his enthusiasm for views of the morning sun coming across the landscape and for the built-in cedar closet, and dozens of other unique design features makes him sound like the ideal customer for the old place..

Below: images show speaking tube, cedar closet, and other features of Summit Ave. property.