Natirar

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Natirar 491 acres (2 km²) is an estate spanning Peapack-Gladstone, Far Hills and Bedminster, New Jersey. In 2003 it was conveyed from the estate of His Majesty, Hassan II, late King of Morocco, to Somerset County, New Jersey, and is now administered by the Somerset County Park Commission. Approximately 90 acres of the estate have been leased to the Virgin Spa at Natirar, an entity controlled by Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group, which plans to develop that portion of the estate (which includes the mansion, stable/carriage barn and most of the other outbuildings) into an exclusive hotel, spa, restaurant complex.

1 History
2 Virgin Limited Edition
3 References
4 External links

[edit] History

The estate contains the site of an early European settlement in the Somerset Hills, and one of the region’s first “improved” roads, known as the Peapack Path, built in the early 1730’s. However, Natirar is best known today for the estate created by Walter Graeme Ladd (1857-1933) and his wife, Catherine (“Kate”) Everit Macy Ladd (1863-1945), who began to acquire estate land in April 1905, naming it Natirar (Raritan backwards) for the Raritan River that flows through the property. The Ladd estate eventually encompassed nearly 1,000 acres (4 km²), and included a 30,000 square foot (3,000 m²) brick Tudor-style mansion with limestone trim and slate roof, and featuring extensive oak paneling, teak floors and molded plaster ceilings, which was completed in 1912. Prominent New York and Boston architect Guy Lowell designed the main residence, several principal outbuildings, and the overall landscape.

In 2004 it was announced that Sir Richard Branson would build a resort and spa on about 90 acres of the estate, with the mansion converted for guest rooms.

[edit] Virgin Limited Edition

The Virgin Spa at Natirar is advertised to be a 76 bedroomed retreat featuring two gourmet restaurants, a 225 seat ballroom, a ten acre Organic Farm, Culinary Center, and a "truly superb" Virgin Spa. As of now, it is expected to open sometime in 2009.