Southampton home with ties to Roy Lichtenstein is asking $4.93 million
Nestled in affluent Southampton Village, a shingle-style architectural masterpiece with a unique artistic heritage has just hit the market, fetching $4.39 million.
Welcome to 65 Wooley St., a charming residence full of history and character. And for the first time in more than half a century, this property is up for grabs – promising its next lucky owner a piece of Southampton’s rich history.
Built around 1912 by a visionary builder, this home shares its roots with two other neighboring homes, each bearing the unmistakable mark of craftsmanship of a bygone era.
The original structure has been carefully expanded and now features an artist’s and a writer’s studio, seamlessly connected by a welcoming passageway.
This property is a canvas of immaculate original details, spread over two floors and offering three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen, a loft with potential, a cozy living room and an elegant dining room.
But that’s not all. The highlight is the spacious studio next to the main house. With a little imagination it could easily be converted into additional living space.
Just a few steps away, on the other side of the enchanting passage, a second studio with stone floors and an enchanting dome awaits you. This setup creates a private flagstone garden space that leads to a lush, shaded arbor.
Renowned figurative and abstract artist Paul Waldman, whose career has spanned six decades, and his wife Diane Waldman – a distinguished art historian, author and former deputy director and senior curator of the legendary Guggenheim Museum – have left an indelible mark in this residence.
In 1968, the Waldmans, along with legendary pop artist Roy Lichtenstein, sought out this Southampton retreat as a summer retreat. Together, Waldman and Lichtenstein built the separate outbuilding, which was originally intended as a studio and living space for Lichtenstein’s two sons.
In 1970, the Waldmans took over the entire property and the area once occupied by Lichtenstein’s sons was converted into Diane Waldman’s studio, where she wrote numerous Guggenheim exhibition catalogs.
Over the years, this home became a treasured retreat for the Waldmans as they shuttled between the bustling streets of Manhattan and the quiet shores of Southampton. It has also played host to a number of illustrious figures from the art world, including famed painter and sculptor Ellsworth Kelly, renowned art dealer Leo Castelli and Guggenheim director Thomas Messer.
A testament to the Waldmans’ exquisite taste, the interior of 65 Wooley is furnished with a carefully curated selection of antiques and unique treasures, sourced both locally and from their travels around the world. Notable features include custom teak shutters imported from India and a stunning collection of Indian miniatures and Bennington pottery.
To round off the offering, an English garden designed and landscaped by Waldman himself adorns the back of the house. Notable highlights include eight ceramic birdhouses, each a unique work of art designed by Waldman and not included in the sale.
In 1986, Waldman began a charming project making elaborate birdhouses, culminating in his famous “Bird Museum” in 1993 – a tiny museum filled with works of art, including by Lichtenstein, all carefully created for feathered friends.
Pat Garrity of Corcoran has the listing.
