Nestled within affluent Southampton Village, a shingle-style architectural masterpiece with a unique artistic heritage has just debuted on the sales market, commanding a price tag of $4.93 million.
Welcome to 65 Wooley St., a charming residence steeped in history and character. And for the first time in more than a half a century, this estate is up for grabs — promising its next lucky owner a piece of Southampton’s rich history.
Constructed around 1912 by a visionary builder, this dwelling shares its roots with two other neighboring homes, all bearing the unmistakable mark of craftsmanship from a bygone era.
The original structure has undergone thoughtful expansion, boasting an artist’s and a writer’s studio seamlessly attached by an inviting breezeway.
This property is a canvas of immaculate original details that span two floors, offering three bedrooms, two baths, a well-appointed kitchen, an attic with potential, a cozy living room and an elegant dining room.
But that’s not all. The pièce de résistance is that spacious studio adjoining the main house. With a little imagination, it could easily be transformed into additional living quarters.
Just a few steps away, across that charming breezeway, a second studio awaits, complete with a stone floor and a captivating cupola. This setup creates a private flagstone garden room that leads to a lush, shaded arbor.
Renowned figurative and abstract artist Paul Waldman, with a career spanning six decades, and his wife Diane Waldman — a distinguished art historian, author, and former deputy director and senior curator of the iconic Guggenheim Museum — have left an indelible mark on this residence.
Back in 1968, the Waldmans, along with legendary pop artist Roy Lichtenstein, sought this Southampton sanctuary as their summer escape. Together, Waldman and Lichtenstein constructed the separate outbuilding, initially intended as a studio and living quarters for Lichtenstein’s two sons.
By 1970, the Waldmans took full ownership, and the area once occupied by Lichtenstein’s sons was transformed into Diane Waldman’s studio, where she penned numerous Guggenheim exhibition catalogues.
Throughout the years, this house became the Waldmans’ cherished retreat as they oscillated between the vibrant streets of Manhattan and the serene shores of Southampton. It also played host to an illustrious array of art world luminaries, including famed painter and sculptor Ellsworth Kelly, renowned art dealer Leo Castelli and Guggenheim director Thomas Messer.
The interior of 65 Wooley is a testament to the Waldmans’ exquisite taste, furnished with a curated selection of antiques and unique treasures, sourced both locally and from their global travels. Notable features include custom teak shutters imported from India, and a breathtaking collection of Indian miniatures and Bennington pottery.
To complete the offering, an English garden envisioned and planted by Waldman himself graces the rear of the house. Notable highlights include eight ceramic birdhouses, each a unique work of art designed by Waldman, which are not included in the sale.
In 1986, Waldman embarked on an enchanting project, crafting ornate birdhouses that later culminated in his famous “Bird Museum” in 1993 — a diminutive museum filled with works of art, including those by Lichtenstein, all thoughtfully created for feathered friends to enjoy.
Pat Garrity, of Corcoran, has the listing.
