Beastie Boys’ Ad-Rock Lists His Lakefront Midcentury for $975K
If you’re a Beastie Boys fanatic—or looking to score a turnkey midcentury for less than one million dollars—this lakefront home may be of interest. Tucked away in Hewitt, New Jersey, just 35 miles from New York City, the single-family residence was built in 1955 and comes packed with period charm.
The 1950s home rests on a double-wide lot at the end of a private road.
The front door sets the stage for midcentury charm with three porthole windows.
Beastie Boys’ Adam Keefe Horovitz—better known as Ad-Rock—purchased the dwelling in 2006 with his wife, musician and feminist activist Kathleen Hanna, for $$799,000. Over the last 15 years, the creative duo have primarily used the property as a weekend/summer retreat.
Clerestory windows span the living room, which also features a broad brick fireplace.
The main dining area is located on the other side of the fireplace, just steps away from the open kitchen.
"Some of our favorite times included water skiing or pulling our friends on a big inner tube around the lake," says Kathleen. "We also loved picking blueberries for pancakes at Blueberry Island—which is an uninhabited island you can swim to from our dock—and having our annual party for our Softball Team every summer."
Curved cabinetry and countertops enhance the home’s groovy flair.
The lower level also offers a spacious, open layout, complete with several large living spaces.
Spanning two floors, the home offers a bright, open layout, with the primary gathering spaces housed on the upper level. Walls of windows fill the interiors with ample natural light while framing striking views of the lake. From the fireplace separating the living and dining areas to the tiled bathrooms, nearly each room is dotted with original character.
Extensive windows connect the home with its surroundings, and glass doors provide direct access to the grounds and wooden dock.
All of the home’s three bedrooms are located on the upper level.
"The former owners of the house were meticulous and left extra vintage tiles and parts for almost everything, which made it easy for us to keep it in original condition," explains Kathleen. "We love the overall architecture and the little details like the blender built into the counter (which still works!), and it was important to us to not mess it up."
Original tiles lend a playful pop of color to the bathroom walls.
A spacious terrace overlooking the lake provides an idyllic setting for alfresco dining.
"There’s a lot of sneaky Jetsons-style stuff in the house which felt more modern than even a new house would," she continues.The home includes three bedrooms, three baths, and several bonus areas. A double slip dock with a pontoon party boat is also included in the sale.
The home offers a number of bonus areas, one of which is currently set up as a storage room.
An aerial view of the property showcases its secluded, double-lot setting.
After quarantining on the West Coast during the Covid-19 pandemic, the couple are "finding themselves to be more West Coast people at the moment," so they’re seeking to cut ties with their lakefront property. Scroll ahead to see more of the home, currently listed for $975,000.
Conveniently located 35 miles from Manhattan, the home offers a tranquil city escape.
17 Emerson Road in Hewitt, New Jersey, is currently listed for $975,000 by Maggie Sherman D'Aquila of Compass.
Know of a home for sale or rent that should be featured on Dwell.com? Find out how to submit to Dwell.
Published
Last Updated
Get the Real Estate Newsletter
From midcentury classics to the best contemporary spaces for sale, see the latest listings for modern homes on the market around the world.