$1,445,000

Nature, light and deliberate design, masterfully merged: This stunning 3-level home, conceived by a leading NYC architect as his own family's ''tree-house'' retreat from the noise and pressures of city life, offers modern style that's not just timeless but perfectly in sync with its setting, an ultra private and view-rich 5.3 acres perched on a prime segment of Catskill mountain range, and surrounded by state forests. Approached via the memorably scenic Platte Clove Road from Saugerties, the home sets a unique mood of wooded haven miles before you even arrive at the entry foyer, boldly windowed, like the rest of the house, to highlight views of flowering gardens, multiple outdoor gathering areas and the mountains and sunsets beyond. The first floor features a large, open living and dining area, kitchen and half bathroom, all centered on a cantilevered multi-level staircase and an aquarium-style wood-burning fireplace. Up those stairs on the second level are 2 bedrooms, a full bathroom and a sunlight-filled gallery and seating area overlooking the main floor. And that leads up to a stunning third level featuring another sunny gallery with home-office space and an irresistible glass-enclosed daybed nook just outside a genuine show stopper: the cathedral-ceilinged primary suite, a true tree-house experience complete with its own private deck, cleverly positioned to overlook not just the natural scenery but the living-room deck below. Throughout, no visual or practical detail has been overlooked, from the passive-solar site plan to the warm bamboo flooring, custom-forged staircase and deck railings, illuminated stairwell tread risers, Hardie board siding, standing-seam metal roof, whole-house fire-prevention sprinkler system and newly updated high-efficiency heating and other systems. There's even designated space for an elevator addition, if needed, plus a robust short-term rental history for investors looking for income potential. Complete privacy, access to multiple hiking trails and a next-level 4-season connection between nature and great design make this a unique, move-in ready opportunity that's not just jaw-dropping but convenient to the Hunter and Windham ski resorts, the villages of Tannersville and Saugerties, the NYS Thruway and NYC.