Perched atop the lofty banks of the Navesink River, one family’s lavish home celebrates Monmouth County’s waterfront lifestyle
by Laura D.C. Kolnoski
Throughout his life, Salvatore Cannizzaro’s dream was to live in a home he created on the water, fish those waters, and bring home specimens to keep and enjoy. A lifetime of hard work made it happen. He now lives above the Navesink River in one of the most exclusive enclaves of Rumson. Fishing is among his favorite pastimes, as is the 20,000-gallon saltwater fish tank along the wall of his recreation room, where he keeps some 17 native species; even diving in to join them on occasion.
Named Villa Paradiso, the spacious, 16,000-square-foot, three-level palatial home (24 total rooms in all, including six bedrooms and eight-and-a-half baths) has a pool, two outdoor koi ponds, a hydroponic garden, and a pizza oven…built for, as Cannizzaro explained, making happy memories.
“It’s our dream home,” he said. “We took a lot of our culture and meticulously put it into our dream.” Set on three acres, the main residence began construction in 2002 and took almost five years to finish. In December 2007, the family moved in. “I love boating, fishing, crabbing, clamming, and all that goes with them, and we can do it all right here on the beautiful, picturesque Navesink River. The river is live artwork.”
The home’s impressive exterior is covered in Jerusalem gold stone that arrived from Israel in 24 containers. Other exterior materials are from Italy. The front courtyard patio is Italian granite; the roof is made of Ludowici clay tiles. One koi pond is located in front of the house; another is in the back. The ponds’ inhabitants were “wiped out” during Superstorm Sandy, but Cannizzaro is slowing rebuilding the colorful population; it now numbers more than 50.
As the outdoor life is so important to the family, they’ve maximized ways in which they can enjoy it. A Jacuzzi with waterfalls at the rear of the property accommodates 15 comfortably. The main swimming pool, with fountains on each of its four corners, features a sunbathing section with lounge chairs set in six inches of water. The pool’s bottom is covered in handmade mosaic tiles, while imported blue lapis lazuli stone graces the waterline. The pool’s cabana is attached to the house with an outside entrance and features a European-style walk-in shower, washer/dryer, sauna, and changing room.
A hexagon-shaped outdoor kitchen includes a barbecue and covered canopy just steps away from the outdoor pizza oven. On the home’s second level, and off the kitchen, another outdoor grilling area is equipped with refrigerators for everyday use. It all leads to the large dock made of imported Epay lumber. On the river are two boats—a 39-foot Yellowfin with triple 350hp engines, and a Twin-Vee 19 Bay Cat—p l u s t w o Yamaha Wave Runners. The Navesink is an estuary, home to myriad small fish, crabs, and turtles, which Cannizzaro communes with regularly.
Inside, fish gazing turns to the aquarium, where striped bass, fluke, porgies, and other species are hand-fed by Cannizzaro, who dives in to clean the glass and set upright items knocked over by the inhabitants, much to the delight of family and visitors. Donning gloves, youngsters also get in on the feeding action.
“It’s a great attraction for the kids when ‘Uncle Sal’ feeds the fish,” he said. “The recreation room is a big party room filled with laughter.”
Electronic controls open the ceiling, allowing a disco ball to descend. Music wafts throughout the home, inside and out. The bar is shaped like a Nautilus shell; its ceiling modeled on a scallop shell. The room was featured on HGTV in 2013.
Another focal point is a one-of-a-kind 10-foot, hand-carved teak sculpture of a coral reef the family bought and restored. Outside the recreation room, a walkway featuring an old-world groin vault brick ceiling leads to handmade wrought iron gates opening to a wine tasting room. An ornate storage area for glasses is hand-carved with grapevine detail. The 1,500-bottle wine cellar stores vintages from three regions—California, Italy, and France (Cannizzaro crafts wines, too, for himself, family, and friends). A hallway leading to a seven-seat movie theater is graced with a handmade water fountain from Capri, bought to commemorate the Cannizzaro’s wedding anniversary.
The ample kitchen with its cherry wood cabinets has a rounded bump-out extension to enhance water views and a mahogany dining table. Amenities include a Sub-Zero refrigerator, Wolf stove, three dishwashers, and an Italian ceramic tile
The aquarium houses striped bass, fluke, porgies, and other species, all hand-fed by Cannizzaro
floor. A 16-foot custom-made walnut table and padded walls accent the dining room.
The living room is topped by custom coffered ceilings, and there’s also a library and elevator on hand, along with no fewer than seven fireplaces (five inside and two outdoors). All wooden pieces and doors throughout are crafted of mahogany. A “widow’s walk” caps the roof, with views out to the gated property and beyond.
Upstairs, the master suite features a gymnasium with water views, outfitted with an elliptical machine, stationary bicycle, treadmill, and other equipment. There is a steam shower in the master bath near his-and-hers room-sized walk-in closets. Balconies and terraces off every level face the water.
Cannizzaro, a much-honored philanthropist, said he plants thousands of flats of annuals each year in beds and urns. Tomatoes, zucchini, herbs, and more—providing fresh ingredients all summer— are grown hydroponically off the kitchen to protect them from local wildlife.
The owner, who began his professional career in the printing business, now works in real estate and development, owning properties in New Jersey and New York. While he handles design and development, his son Frank runs the construction end of the business. Cannizzaro recently entered the healthcare industry, as he said, “to provide quality care by offering convenient care centers throughout New Jersey.”
