Oakbank / Mount Barker - RLA 173455 Blog

If you’re looking for somewhere to escape the craziness of the world right now, this private island just 30 minutes from Manhattan could be just the paradise you’re looking for.

For a cool $19m ($US13m), you could bunker down and spend the days on not just one but two islands off New Rochelle in Long Island Sound.

The big bucks will buy you the two islands (Columbia Island over two acres and Pea Island over five acres), and the smaller island comes complete with a two-storey, four-bedroom, 522sqm home.

With views of the New York City skyline from the roof, the property also has two bathrooms, a sleek kitchen, concrete floors, giant windows and oodles of living space.

The current owner who bought the home in 2007 is Al Sutton, a human rights activist, retired physician, and charter member of the African Freedom Coalition.

The haven is eco-friendly, with two large solar panels among other green energy solutions. Picture: Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty

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When Al bought the home, the house was not in great condition, with parts crumbling. Al restored the structure and turned it into a masterpiece.

With two solar panels and batteries to store the energy, diesel generators, as well as a reverse osmosis desalination system to turn water from the sound into potable water, the home is completely green-powered.

A private sanctuary away from the chaos, this island home is the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle but convenient enough to commute when the world returns to offices.

The island home

With water views and open-plan spaces, the modern home is perfect for entertaining. Picture: Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty

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Once known as Little Pea Island, Columbia Island was renamed in 1941 when the CBS (aka Columbia Broadcasting Studios), bought it as a location for a radio tower for CBS and ABC.

When AL purchased neighbouring Pea Island it was not developed and has many indigenous plants and birds, as well as sandy beaches. At just 0.2 nautical miles between the islands, it is said Pea Island is more like a backyard for Columbia Island.

A private oasis with is locality to NYC, this would be the ideal purchase for someone who favours slipping in and out of everyday life.