Designer Ralph Lauren's Mansion

The estate’s first owner, in 1920, was landscape architect Robert Ludlow Fowler, a member of New York’s old elite. He had worked on estates for the Rockefeller family. To design his own home, Fowler commissioned the renowned architectural firm Delano & Aldrich.

The architects created a stone mansion in the Norman style, reminiscent of the country residences of the French aristocracy. After the first owner’s death in 1973, the estate fell into disrepair. Ralph Lauren purchased it in precisely this condition.

The estate covers about 100 hectares. Spacious lawns, old trees, and rolling landscapes are more reminiscent of the English countryside than the surroundings of America’s largest metropolis.

The main house has a floor area of 1,580 m². Lauren carefully restored the mansion and transformed it into the embodiment of his own vision of the good life.

The walls were paneled with mahogany, and the rooms were filled with English antique furniture, Persian rugs, leather armchairs, paintings, and crystal chandeliers.

The library features dark wood paneling and antique books, while green velvet dominates the dining room. The bedrooms feature tartan, cashmere, and heavy fabrics. The walk-in closet houses entire collections of leather boots, travel bags, and monogrammed loafers.

The owner has a particular passion for rare cars. Bedford is home to the famous “Ralph’s Garage,” which houses part of one of the world’s most outstanding private car collections. Among the exhibits are a 1938 “Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic,” a 1929 “Bentley Blower,” a “McLaren F1 LM,” and several extremely rare “Ferraris.” The total value of the collection is estimated at $300 million.

In September 2017, Lauren even held a fashion show in his garage. Instead of the usual runway, guests saw a collection of classic cars, and the models walked among them. That’s how the garage became an unusual venue for New York Fashion Week.

Ralph Lauren grew up in a modest family in the Bronx. When he founded his own fashion house, “Ralph Lauren,” he created an entire world of American aristocracy: country estates, horseback riding, vintage cars, and English traditions. Later, the designer incorporated this aesthetic into his own interiors as well.

Today, the “Outlands” estate remains one of the designer’s most recognizable homes and a vivid reflection of Ralph Lauren’s aesthetic.