Shaker Simplicity Meets State-of-the-State Technology

10:04AM / Friday, May 11, 2007Print Story | Email Story

What does a living history museum with origins dating to 1783 and one of the world's leading printers of paper for decorative surfaces have in common? They're both part of the Creative cluster in the Berkshires. The Creative cluster is identified as a significant economic force in the Berkshires and as an area ripe for economic development. A perfect example of one creative business initiative is the collaboration between Hancock Shaker Village and Interprint, Inc., the industry leader in dÃˆcor printing in North America. The Shakers founded their community in Hancock, Massachusetts, just outside of Pittsfield, in 1783. Over the next century they built more than 75 buildings at the place they called "The City of Peace," including artisanâ€™s workshops, a large Brick Dwelling and the world-famous Round Stone Barn. Their dedication to innovation and insistence upon quality can be seen in examples of their architecture, furniture, handcrafts and inventions at Hancock Shaker Village, now an outdoor living history museum. One mile down the road from Hancock Shaker Village is the shining new glass and steel headquarters of Interprint, Inc. The USA division of global and privately-held Wrede Industrieholding began operations in Pittsfield in 1987, moving to its new location last year. Their five rotogravure presses, including a new 8-foot-wide machine, the first of its kind in North America, turn out 12,000 tons of printed paper for decorative surfaces each year. In addition to laminate flooring, Interprint's printed dÃˆcor paper is used for cabinets, closets and office furniture. Interprint Inc. and the Village decided to partner in the design of a series of Shaker-inspired laminate floors for today's living. Designers from Interprint visited the Shaker site and thoroughly reviewed the buildings and grounds for design possibilities. The result is a new collection of designs and color ways inspired by the Shaker aesthetic, including First Growth Pine, Richmond Stone, and Hilltown Stone. "We have already gotten strong interest in the new Shaker-inspired product from five major flooring companies," says Interprint President and CEO William M. Hines, Sr. "A percentage of our sales will go directly to Hancock Shaker Village to help support their ongoing programming and preservation activity." Ellen J. Spear, President/CEO of Hancock Shaker Village, who co-chaired the Berkshire Creative Economy Report Steering Committee, says the project represents a powerful model for collaboration between not-for-profit cultural organizations and for-profit companies in the Creative cluster. In this case, "The project creates new revenue streams for the Village and provides a new source of inspiration for Interprint. This is a perfect example of how Creative cluster businesses can grow through creative collaboration." For more information about the Berkshire Creative Economy Project, please contact the Berkshire Economic Development Corporation at 413 499 4000, ext. 23, or log onto www.berkshireedc.com and click on "Berkshire Blueprint." About the Berkshire Economic Development Corporation The Berkshire Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) is the leading economic development agency for the Berkshires. BEDC is a single source of regional information for business relocation, expansion or start-up. The BEDC facilitates, coordinates and leads collaborative countywide economic development efforts to attract and retain high-quality employers and employees; it provides a single point of contact for data research, site selection, local tours, grant access, financing and funding options, as well as tax and business incentives. The BEDC also provides a key connection point to local and state-level officials. BEDC can be reached at 413 499 4000 or on the web at www.berkshireedc.com.

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Friday Front Porch Feature: This Luxury Home Has Plenty of Amenities

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:20PM / Friday, December 12, 2025

LENOX, Mass. — Are you looking for a big house to enjoy your days with a big movie theater, a sauna, and more? Then this is the house for you.

Built in 2004, this seven-bedroom, and nine-bathroom home is 7,073 square feet on more than an acre. The home comes with an elevator to the lower level to access a theater, sauna, gym, wine cellar, massage room, and its very own soda fountain.

The home also has a guest house with a saltwater pool. A multi-car garage greets you with heated floors.

The this home is listed for $4,950,000 and is located in the 125-acre, gated Pinecroft compound.

We spoke to Leslie Chesloff, the listing agent with William Pitt Sotheby's.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

Chesloff: This gated Berkshire stone estate truly redefines luxury living in the Berkshires. What sets it apart is the rare combination of resort-style amenities and complete privacy. The property offers Canyon Ranch-level wellness living with a full spa experience at home — including a sauna, massage room, and gym — plus an eight-seat hi-def theater with wine cellar for entertaining. The heated, gunite saltwater pool and spa are complemented by a fully equipped pool house with a guest suite and complete kitchen, perfect for extended family or guests.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

The moment you step inside, you're struck by the quality and craftsmanship — those 300-year-old reclaimed timber floors set an immediate tone of authenticity and warmth. The scale is impressive but never overwhelming; this is a home designed for gracious living, not just show. The natural light, cathedral ceilings, and thoughtful flow between spaces create an inviting atmosphere that balances grandeur with genuine comfort.

How would you describe the feel or atmosphere of this home?

This home feels like a private wellness retreat meets sophisticated family estate. There's a serene, spa-like quality throughout — enhanced by features like the sauna, steam shower, and massage room — but it never feels clinical or cold. The Berkshire stone exterior and reclaimed timber floors ground the home in a sense of place and permanence. It's designed for people who appreciate the finer things but want to actually live well — whether that's screening a film in the eight-seat theater with wine from your own cellar, hosting poolside gatherings, or simply unwinding in your own spa sanctuary.

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

This is perfect for the discerning buyer who values wellness, privacy, and culture in equal measure. I envision someone who spends their days hiking or exploring the Berkshires, then comes home to unwind in the sauna or pool. They might entertain guests in the theater wine room, host multi-generational gatherings with family staying in the pool house guest suite (which has a full kitchen), and appreciate being minutes from Tanglewood, world-class dining, and Berkshire arts.

This could be an executive looking for a primary residence with work-from-home flexibility (there's an office/bedroom suite), a wellness-focused family, or empty nesters who want to host adult children and grandchildren in style and comfort.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

Picture Saturday morning: you're sipping coffee on the terrace overlooking your heated saltwater pool, planning a day at Tanglewood. Your guests are making breakfast in the pool house kitchen — they have their own private retreat but are steps away when you're ready to gather. Evening arrives, and you screen a favorite film in your eight-seat theater, selecting a perfect bottle from your wine cellar. This isn't just a home; it's a lifestyle that brings resort-level wellness, entertainment, and hospitality to your doorstep — all within a secure, maintenance-free compound where nature meets luxury.

Are there any standout design features or recent renovations?

Absolutely. The home includes an elevator for multilevel accessibility, which is both practical and forward-thinking. The lower level is exceptionally well-conceived — a true entertainment and wellness wing featuring the eight-seat hi-def theater, wine cellar, sauna, gym, massage room, and even a charming soda fountain. The gourmet kitchen has been recently updated, customized wet bar, while outdoor living is elevated with the heated gunite saltwater pool/spa, firepit, and that incredible pool house with guest suite and full kitchen. Also, new HVAC system and heated driveway.

Thoughtful details like cedar closets, steam showers, central vacuum, and backup generator show this home was built to the highest standards.

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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