Why Dorinda Medley Is Listing Part of Her Iconic Berkshires Estate
Dorinda Medley Is Selling a Piece of Her Famous "Bluestone Manor" — Here’s What You Need to Know
Quick Summary: Former Real Housewives of New York City star Dorinda Medley is selling 3.7 acres of her iconic Berkshires estate, Bluestone Manor, for $1.2 million. She’s keeping the main house and some land, but says the extra acreage was just "excessive" and costly to maintain.
Who Is Dorinda Medley?
If you’ve ever watched The Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY), you know Dorinda. She joined the show in Season 7 and quickly became famous for her over-the-top hosting skills and unforgettable catchphrases.
Her most famous line?
"I decorated! I cooked! I made it nice!"
She shouted this during a cast trip to her Berkshires home — Bluestone Manor — which became a recurring backdrop for drama, dinners, and Dorinda’s legendary hosting.
What Is Bluestone Manor?
Think of it like a storybook castle in the mountains.
- Built: 1902 (that’s over 120 years old!)
- Style: Gilded Age Tudor — think stone walls, timber beams, big fireplaces, and old-world charm
- Location: Great Barrington, Massachusetts, in the Berkshires (a beautiful, artsy mountain region about 2.5 hours from Boston or NYC)
- Bought by Dorinda’s late husband, Richard, in 2005
- Features (on the part she’s keeping): A maze, cornfields, gardens, and the main mansion
It’s the kind of place where you’d expect to see horses in the yard and hear jazz playing from a phonograph.
What Exactly Is She Selling?
Important: She is not selling the main house — just a separate parcel of land next to it.
The Lot for Sale: "Lot 2, West Sheffield Road"
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.7 acres (about 3.5 football fields) |
| Price | $1.2 million |
| Type | Buildable land — you can build a house on it |
| Access | Private entrance off West Sheffield Road |
| Surroundings | Rolling meadows, mature woods, mountain views |
| Bonus | Bordered by conservation land (so no neighbors building right next to you) |
| Convenience | Minutes from Great Barrington’s downtown — shops, restaurants, theaters |
Why Is She Selling It?
Dorinda explained it simply in an interview with PEOPLE:
“Why do I need 20 acres? I’d been happy with nine! Now I found out I owned 19 and a half! It just felt excessive.”
Her Reasons, Broken Down:
- Too much land — She realized she had almost 20 acres, but only used a small portion near the house.
- High taxes — Paying property taxes on land you don’t use is like paying for a gym membership you never visit.
- Far from the house — The land being sold is a distance away from the main home, so it’s not part of her daily life.
- Not needed anymore — Back in 1902, estates needed lots of land for farming, staff housing, etc. Today? Not so much.
- Downsizing smartly — Her agent, Shelly Tretter Lynch of Compass, said Dorinda "chose to preserve the integrity of the site" — meaning she split the land thoughtfully, not just chopping it up randomly.
What Makes This Land Special?
Callout: Why This Lot Is a Rare Find
- Flat and open — Easy to build on (no blasting rock or steep grading)
- Total privacy — Surrounded by protected conservation land
- Mountain views — Sweeping vistas of the Berkshires
- Best of both worlds — Feels like the middle of nowhere, but 5 minutes from a vibrant downtown
- Build your dream home — No HOA, no strict historic restrictions (unlike the main manor)
What Happens Next?
Dorinda isn’t leaving Bluestone Manor. She’s staying put in the main house with her maze, cornfields, and memories. The sale of this lot just lets someone else build their own Berkshires retreat — and as Dorinda would say, "do it nice."
There’s even a video tour of the full property on YouTube (search "Bluestone Manor tour Dorinda Medley") if you want to peek inside the gates.
Summary
- Dorinda Medley (RHONY alum) is selling 3.7 acres of her Bluestone Manor estate in Great Barrington, MA.
- Price: $1.2 million | Agent: Shelly Tretter Lynch (Compass)
- She’s keeping the main house — this is just extra land she doesn’t use.
- Why sell? Too much land, high taxes, and it’s far from the house.
- The land is gorgeous: Flat, private, mountain views, near town, buildable.
- Perfect for: Someone wanting a custom home in the Berkshires with privacy and convenience.
FAQ
Is Dorinda selling the whole Bluestone Manor?
No. She’s only selling a separate 3.7-acre lot (Lot 2). The main historic mansion, gardens, maze, and surrounding land are not for sale.
Can I build a house on this land?
Yes! It’s approved as buildable land with its own private entrance. You’d need standard permits, but there’s no historic restriction like on the main manor.
Why is the land so expensive for "just dirt"?
It’s location + scarcity. You’re paying for:
- 3.7 private acres in a sought-after town
- Mountain views + conservation land buffer
- 5 minutes to Great Barrington’s culture/dining
- The prestige of the Bluestone Manor address
Does Dorinda still live there?
Yes. She splits time between the Berkshires and NYC. She’s downsizing land, not leaving her home.
How do I see the property?
Contact Shelly Tretter Lynch at Compass (link in original listing) for a private showing. You can also watch Dorinda’s own video tour on YouTube.
Want more real estate stories like this? Keep an eye on "On the Market" for celebrity homes, unique listings, and buying tips — all explained simply.