Peapack-Gladstone is a Somerset Hills borough formed from two historic villages, Peapack and Gladstone, which sit along the Peapack Brook at the end of the Gladstone train line. Close to the village centers are older frame and stone houses on modest lots, a few with stone foundations and porches that date back well over a century. Beyond them, the borough opens up into rolling estate land with long driveways, barns, paddocks and woodland. The ground is hilly, and stone has always been the local building material.
Steps and entries that suit the house
Front entries in the villages are usually small and close to the street, while estate homes have formal entrances with wide landings. Either way, stone and bluestone fit the setting better than plain concrete. We build steps on a solid concrete core and finish them with stone veneer risers and thick bluestone treads, with simple dark railings. A matching bluestone walk to the driveway completes the entry.
Barns, garages and outbuildings
Many properties have a detached garage, carriage house or barn that does not match the main house. Facing the lower walls or a gable in stone ties the buildings together. We also repair old stone and brick foundations on outbuildings, rebuild failing piers and repoint walls where the mortar has washed out.
Walls on hilly ground
Sloped lawns and terraced gardens are common here. Dry laid and mortared stone walls hold back banks, frame planting beds and make level space for a terrace. For taller walls we build engineered retaining walls with proper drainage and face them so they read as natural stone. Old walls that have bulged or collapsed can be taken down and relaid.
Chimneys and fireplaces
Older homes in the villages often have masonry chimneys that need new crowns, repointing or a partial rebuild above the roof. We handle that work, and we can also build outdoor stone fireplaces for a terrace.
A few things to plan for
- Borough approvals. Structural masonry and new walls may need a permit, and historic rules may apply in the village centers.
- Steep drives. We plan deliveries for narrow or sloped access.
- Stone selection. We bring samples so you can compare color and size against what is already there.
Peapack-Gladstone borders Far Hills, Bedminster and Bernardsville in our Somerset County service area. Schedule a free estimate and we will walk the property and look at the stone with you.
