The prestigious neighborhood of Wardour is home to Bridgewater, one of Annapolis' finest waterfront estates. This lush enclave where the shimmering waters of Weems Creek branch off the Severn River is a stunning setting for this 5-bedroom executive estate that is perched high on a bluff over the creek. You will enjoy 180-degree water views and 250 feet of shoreline with a deep-water dock that can accommodate sailboats and cruisers.This stately Colonial-revival home, continuously kept in pristine condition since 1937, is at once a world away and within easy access to major routes toward Washington, Baltimore and their airports. Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis~ main artery, is but a three-minute drive, yet it does nothing to interrupt the peace and privacy of Wardour's park-like peninsula. Even better, this quiet retreat runs on the easy pace of the Eastern Shore without the hassle of crossing the Bay Bridge, while the shops and restaurants of West Annapolis are an easy stroll down leafy streets. You know you've arrived once you turn onto Bridgewater's graceful, winding drive, lined with flowering hydrangea and ornamental grasses overflowing from the gardens. The estate~s crisp white brick and black shutters quickly come into view~just as the verdant landscaping blocks everything else out. That's an important quality for families seeking total privacy for their weekend or full-time escape. The home's capacity to sleep up to 20 people makes it perfect for holiday celebrations with multiple generations; weekend house parties; even corporate retreats. The home, originally commissioned for a decorated Navy rear admiral, was always meant for entertaining on a large scale. The gracious proportions of its public rooms; its elliptical Great Lawn perched like a ship's prow over the water; a screened porch and its large outdoor dining area offer an easy flow for dozens or even hundreds of guests. Modern architects working in the traditional vernacular often design new revival-style homes to look old, as if they had been added on to over time. Bridgewater is the real deal: a small wing to the side houses what is now the heart of the home~a spacious family room and kitchen~while another addition on the other side is indistinguishable from the original central structure, though it adds crucial modern amenities such as an expanded master suite and dressing room on the top floor, a home office below, and a lower-level guest suite. Bridgewater enjoys 250 feet of waterfront access that's beautifully defined with pea gravel and white oyster shells. This "Pebble Beach" is wide enough for lounge chairs, and also has room to store kayaks or laser boats for long, lazy days of running up and down the creek. The L-shaped deep-water pier off the bulkhead offer an 11-foot depth to accommodate a sailboat and powerboat, and there's a lift for a jet ski. From here, it's just a short sail out to the Severn River, where you can pass the Naval Academy on your way out to a day of cruising on the Chesapeake Bay, or to downtown Annapolis to grab dinner. Whether you desire to make Bridgewatera gathering place for a large family on weekends or an executive residence to host small dinner parties for clients, plan larger cocktail parties for employees and prospects or to entertain friends from around the world, this house has an exceptional flow that easily accommodates large and small gatherings alike.

Cal Ripken

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