Johnson & Johnson Heir's Estate Opens Its Gates To Public

TPC Jasna Polana, the Princeton estate and country club custom built for Johnson & Johnson heir John Seward Johnson, is opening its doors to the public for wedding and event rentals. 

Those with champagne wishes and caviar dreams will find an average wedding for 100 guests costs about $32,000 at the estate, said Deborah Lynch, president and founder of Mattison Network, which manages site rentals. 

Access to Jasna Polana and its PGA-class golf course, The Players Club, had been limited to its private club members since the golf course was completed in 1998.

The approximately 230-acre estate was once home to Seward, son of Johnson & Johnson co-founder Robert Wood Johnson. Seward died in 1983. His wife still maintains a private suite at the home, but only comes to town once every few years, Lynch said.

“(This) allows them to open their doors to people that would not necessarily be able to have an event or wedding or even see the property,” Lynch said.

Outside of TPC Jasna Polana, located on Province Line Road, the statues and architecture of the courtyard tell a story of old-world elegance and charm.

Inside, a sweeping staircase greets visitors. The stairs lead upstairs to the Prince Albert Suite.

Downstairs, visitors may use the living room- with a a grand piano and fireplace- and the Travertine Room, a circular, glass-enclosed room that overlooks wading ponds, fountains and grassy knolls.

"This travertine is simple and beautiful and elegant and clean so you can bring in any color…the ceiling is this beautiful dome that can be lit with pictures and colors,” said Lynch."The room becomes a magical place, whether it be simple all white or whether you create a theme of oranges and reds or flowers or flags.”

A wedding package that includes hors d'oeuvres, a four-hour open bar and a sit-down dinner ranging from $225-$250 a person will cost about $32,000, Lynch said.

“It’s based upon the number of guests you are having,” she said. “If you had about 100 guests, you would be within that range.”

Prices will rise if the bride and groom add extras, including champagne and caviar.

For example, an additional $1,000 will give a bridal party access to the Prince Albert Suite upstairs featuring a swimming pool tub, candles and a spa, Lynch said.

The estate can also arrange to hire anyone a bride might, including make-up artists, hair stylists and masseuse, Lynch said.