The Stonehouse....
Once Pierre Houpert’s Private Distillerie...
Once Just Burned Out Rubble...
Now Fully Renovated...
Now Available As A Short Term Vacation Rental...
Picture the moment in the back woods of the shoreline town of Clinton during Prohibition; glasses clinking, dancing, laughter, views of the reservoir from the little porches all while Pierre Houpert, the eccentric artist, entrepreneur and true bon vivant, as referred to by his family, is distilling in the stonehouse basement. Massive amounts of sugar are being delivered, raising suspicion. Word was the feds got wind of it. In 1926, it was burned down. It was the end of the story until Windjammer’s bought it in July 2020 and vowed to bring it back to life and protect it from any future harm.
The first work on the stonehouse was in the very beginning where we cleaned up all the burned rubble and garbage that had collected over an over 30 year period. The original funding, even the 2nd round of funding was not enough to dive into the actual renovation. In October 2023, we thought we had it, securing a new construction loan to fund this part of the project. At the first draw I came to find that the lender was predatory and had managed to stick a 25% hold back on all my draws. I struggled to get as far a I could but by December all I could do was exhausted. The stonehouse sat there whilst 7k a month went out the window until FINALLY in May 2024 I was able to get another loan. I was able to finish basically by January 2025, but with so much debt as a result, I am just barely able to hang on.
We are currently working on an outside BBQ & Firepit area for our guests and as the spring comes, we hope to fill the gardens and everywhere possible with flowers, flowers, flowers!
I listed the Stonehouse with AirBnB and VRBO in February 2025. We are a new listing and are looking forward to this being a successful first year. We would love for anyone who would like to visit, please just contact me! Kim 203-623-8223.
We look forward to seeing you!
(By the way, the tradition still continues in Canada—see towerhillroad.com & houpertfrere.com!)
Our Contractors
I could never ever have done this project without my wonderful wonderful contractors. This building had many many challenges. The original framing was inset into the stone and all new framing had to be 2x10 pressure treated wood, glued in. New lentils had to be put in under the front walls that had failed. Frost walls and foundation walls had to be installed under those walls and across the entire front. The supporting framing under those front walls had to be 2x12 lumber. Sump pumps needed to be installed in the basement as there is a constant flow of water heading down the hill to the stonehouse. Many repairs had to be made in several areas of the stonehouse that were in danger of failing. The concrete porches were completely ripped off and new framed porches were made. The white pine floors Benito and I drove to Cape Cod to pick up at Stonewood. The wood accent pieces for shelves in the kitchen, the entrance closet and miscellaneous other places were from the original siding I saved from the main house circe 1724. The ads framed on the walls are from newspapers and magazines pulled from ceiling of the living room of the main house dated back to 1931. Much of the furniture and decor was found on the Buy Nothing site on Facebook and also from some very dear friends Bob & Tara who are continuously bringing Windjammer's Goodies from their travels.
If you are looking for any contractors, please do give them a call!
- GW Nash & Son Home Improvement - Bill Nash
- Manoly Roofing and Remodeling - Benito Urgiles
- Pablo Marques Masonry - Pablo Marques
- Finestra Windows - Wynter
- Wood Floors - JT Wood Flooring (Women owned and operated over 35 years of Experience. Owner on every job - Jenn 203-530-8886
