Patch PM CT brings you the breaking and trending news stories from all across Connecticut each weekday evening. Here are the top headlines. Click on the link to read each story. Thank you for reading.

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Bethenny Frankel has sold her Connecticut home, also known as Applejack Farm, for more than $7.8 million.

The estate, which is located in Greenwich, Connecticut, closed for $7,825,000. The sale was represented by Jeff Jackson, a broker and owner of Corcoran Centric Realty. Martha Z. Jeffrey and Anne Z. Ogilvy of Sotheby’s International Realty represented the buyer.

Applejack Farm is located in a gated area of the Golden Triangle neighborhood, just minutes outside of Greenwich. Frankel, 54, originally purchased Applejack Farm for $4,250,000 in 2021.

The home was first built in 1743 and is considered to be one of the oldest homes in Greenwich. Over the years, the Real Housewives of New York City alum renovated and added on to the property, ultimately increasing its value.

The property boasts five bedrooms, six bathrooms, two half bathrooms, grand historic rooms, a La Cornue-equipped kitchen, a primary suite with dual spa-grade bathrooms, a lower level with a media room, entertainer’s bar, gym and more. The estate also features a guest cottage that includes two bedrooms, two and half bathrooms, a three-bay garage, a standalone studio and a party barn.

Across its buildings, Applejack Farm has numerous architectural details, including beamed ceilings, brick fireplaces, paneled walls, ornate moldings, an antique bar and more.

The grounds of Applejack Farm included a wide array of trees and rolling green lawns. The plush landscape is accentuated with intricate lighting, a luxe stone patio, a storage shed and a covered porch overlooking the stunning view.

Back in April, Frankel announced that she was migrating south to the Sunshine State.

“I am moving to Florida for personal and professional reasons,” she explained in an Instagram video. “Something has arisen that made this the best and healthiest for myself and my daughter.”

That same month, she quietly placed her Connecticut home up for sale for $8 million.

Before making her relocation official, Frankel reportedly purchased a condo in Miami, which serves as her secondary Florida home. She bought the property for about $1.7 million in June 2024.

After settling in, Frankel gave fans an inside look to her home and new life in the Sunshine State.

“The transition and journey has been rough but in a few weeks we will be settled into our Florida home before we head to the Hamptons for an endless summer,” she wrote via Instagram in May alongside moments of her time in Miami so far. “Let the adventure era continue.”

• The home, called “Starcastle” but known to locals as “The Mushroom House,” has a bumpy, white outside with mushroom-like domes on several parts of the house.
• It is on sale for $1,500,000.
• Instagram users loved the view, but not the mushroomy look.

A Connecticut home for sale was featured on the social media account Zillow Gone Wild in June for its unique, mushroom-like appearance.

The home, called “Starcastle” but known to locals as “The Mushroom House,” has a bumpy, white outside with mushroom-like domes covering several sections of the house.

Now, you can buy this ‘trippy’ home for $1,500,000.

Why is it called the Mushroom House?

The home was designed by architect Roy Mason in 1985 for Ed Roman, the owner of Las Vegas’ Ed Roman Guitars and Danbury’s Eastcoast Music Mall, according to Zillow Gone Wild.

Rather than being a square or rectangle shape like many houses, the Mushroom House is rounded and lumpy, as if covered by bubbling white cement. 

One particularly prominent column looks especially like a mushroom, but mushroom-cap-like domes cover several different sections of the house.

The listing, held by Lisa Weisenberger of Luks Reality, says that this is a “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own one of Connecticut’s most iconic homes.”

“A home this rare doesn’t just make memories—it builds them,” it adds.

How many bedrooms and bathrooms does it have? Other features?

The 5,036 square foot Mushroom House has four bedrooms and five bathrooms.

Zillow Gone Wild points out special features like a sunken conversation pit, an open concept living room with a “landing/DJ area/chill zone” above and wide windows in many of the rooms that allow those inside to take in the panoramic vistas.

Outside, there’s a pool, a gazebo and a large smiley face.

In addition to a private home, the listing says the property has potential to be an Airbnb, a wedding venue or an “unforgettable weekend escape.”

Where is the Zillow Gone Wild CT mushroom house?

The Mushroom House can be found at 155 Shortwoods Rd. in New Fairfield, Connecticut.

It is located between two state parks, Squantz Pond State Park and Pootatuck State Forest, giving it expansive views. It overlooks Squantz Pond and Candlewood Lake in addition to the protected parklands.

It has 23.5 acres of private land, with woods, sculpted gardens and a pool.

The home is 71 miles from New York City.

“This property feels like its own private kingdom—yet remains just a short, scenic drive from NYC,” says the listing.

Instagram users ask, is the view worth the house’s ugliness?

Instagram users loved the view, but not the mushroom-y look. Some compared it to ant hill, while others referred to it as “Tatooine.”

“I’m trying to decide if the view is worth living in that monstrosity,” said Ashley Govea, or user @mrsgovea10. “The fact that I’m confused speaks volumes to how good that view is.”

“The best thing about this house is the view,” said Judy, @btwimjudy.

“I really love weird houses but I couldn’t live in that,” said Judy Kepes, @judykepes.