Owners of island opt not to sell

HAMMOND — Singer Castle on Dark Island is no longer on the market.

The 6.2-acre island in the St. Lawrence River, which had been for sale since August 2006 for $22 million, didn't attract any serious offers, said Farhad Vladi, a co-owner of the island. Vladi Private Islands, a German company owned by Mr. Vladi, purchased the island and its 112-year-old, 28-room castle in 2002 for $1.7 million. Since then, millions of dollars have been spent making improvements to the former hunting lodge.

Since Mr. Vladi purchased it, the island has become a popular tourist destination, welcoming thousands of visitors each year. He sees more potential for the castle in the future.

"It's not for sale," Mr. Vladi said Friday in a phone interview from Switzerland. "We find the island is quite interesting, and we're moving ahead with more renovations there."

The renovations included renewal of the boathouses, wharf and facade of the castle, a new roof and potable water system and water treatment plant, along with upgrading the telephone and electrical systems, Mr. Vladi said. A tunnel that runs to the north boathouse recently was restored and will open to the public this season, said Thomas A. Weldon, general manager of Singer Castle. Singer Castle is open from May to October.

Mr. Vladi said he owns the island with two partners, but is negotiating to buy one partner out. The island remains on the Sotheby's International Realty and Vladi Private Islands Web sites, only because the partner he's trying to buy out wants it listed.

"That partner has wanted the island listed with Sotheby's," Mr. Vladi said. "The other partner and I don't want it listed, because it is not for sale."

The property has hosted many weddings and offers a luxury private suite in the castle with breathtaking views that's quickly becoming popular. The suite rents for $700 a night.

"It was rented many times last year; it is such a unique thing," Mr. Weldon said. "You're the only people on the island with the support staff at night."

The Scottish-style castle built on Dark Island was originally designed as a hunting and fishing retreat for Frederick G. Bourne, the fourth president of the Singer Sewing Machine Co. Renowned American architect Ernest Flagg, who designed the U.S. Naval Academy and many buildings for the Singer family, designed the castle.

Made of granite, the castle has 13 fireplaces. Most of the furnishings inside it date to its period of construction.