In honor of Art Basel, 2020, we rounded up these five homes that belonged to, or are currently owned, by famous artists. With noted artists Leonard Ochtman, Mina Fonda Ochtman and Jeff Koons among their prior owners, these homes just might spark your own creativity.
New York City
Former home of American artist Jeff Koons. Jeffrey L. Koons is an American artist recognized for his work dealing with popular culture and his sculptures depicting everyday objects, including balloon animals – produced in stainless steel with mirror-finish surfaces.
Built among the leafy homes of Manhattan’s elite, the elegant, south-facing 115 East 64th Street brownstone townhouse is located in the heart of the Upper East Side. Near the prime intersection of Park Avenue and 64th Street, this residence offers absolute privacy while providing easy access to Central Park, the finest restaurants, high-end shops, vibrant cafes, as well as world-renowned museums, theaters, and galleries. For the last two decades, this magnificent residence has been the home for one of the preeminent artists who lived here with his family and original art collections. The original interior details and embellishments of this historic home are well preserved. At 20′-wide, and approximately 5,492 square feet, this fabulous brownstone has significant potential and an allowance to become a palatial mansion of 8,032 square feet approved by New York City’s Zoning District. This sun-drenched and majestic home overlooking a tree-lined block currently has four floors above the cellar floor with 5 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms as well as a tranquil garden. The additional zoning allowance means this home’s proud owner could build 2 additional stories and a roof top garden above the existing residence. This residence’s current living room / grand parlor as well as formal dining room all feature superb high ceilings and over-sized windows with incredible lighting. Bring your architect and your imagination to make this historic brownstone your dream home in an unbeatable location.
Hamptons & Sag Harbor
27 Palmer Terrace, Sag Harbor, NY |$3,995,000 | Agent: Michael Daly
This historic Victorian home, built in 1891 by artist and famous inventor William Sylvester Eaton and beautifully maintained by his family for 130 years, is available for the first time. This generous village property is centered in the Historic District with easy access to all that Sag Harbor has to offer. Meticulously maintained and well-loved over the generations, it could be yours for generations to come.
Originally built in the 60s as a studio for a famous artist, this stunning property consists of two separate lots and was turned into a fabulous compound by the current owner, a designer himself, when all the structures were connected. All five bedrooms and baths have a great layout and each was uniquely designed with a separate, special color scheme, wallpaper and spectacular tile-work. A full chef’s kitchen with pantry and open dining area invites to a grand entertainment layout. The elegant living room overlooks a five-acre reserve and offers a lot of privacy away from the rest of the house. The compound includes a separate laundry room, playroom/studio office, which also overlooks the spectacular gardens. The terrace and pool, all surrounded by mature trees and plantings makes it the perfect place to entertain! Situated on a total of 2.3 acres, this property is very private and has further potential to be developed while maintaining the original charm or building a 4000 sq ft home on a separate lot. Permits are in place.
208 Pond Lane, Southampton Village, NY |$14,950,000 | Agents: Laura Nigro and Carl Nigro
The home was built in 1968 by Mrs. Veronica Balfe Cooper, the widow of Gary Cooper (two time Academy Award winner for Best Actor, who died in 1961) and her second husband, Dr. John Marquis Converse, a plastic surgeon. It’s currently owned and lived in by Veronica and Gary Cooper’s daughter, Maria Cooper Janis and her husband, Byron Janis, internationally renowned as one of the world’s greatest concert pianists. Although Mr. Janis’ busy schedule has led them all over the world, Mrs. Janis has enjoyed a successful career as an artist. She pursues her paintings with great energy, exhibiting in the United States as well as Europe and Asia.
Just shy of 2 acres, this beautiful property is situated on Lake Agawam with over 220 feet of lake front and is just over 2,000 feet from Southampton Village. The home offers five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and an in-ground pool overlooking the pond and stunning water views.
Connecticut
35 Mianus View Terrace in Cos Cob, CT | $1,335,000 | Agent: Evangela Brock
This was once the home of Leonard Ochtman, the famed Dutch-American Impressionist painter who specialized in landscapes. He built the house when he moved to Connecticut in 1891 with his wife Mina Fonda Ochtman who was also an accomplished American Impressionist painter.
Here, Leonard and Mina became the founding members of the Cos Cob Art Colony. From the home known as “Greyledge,” which overlooks the Mianus River, Leonard instructed young artists who were boarding at the nearby Bush-Holley House. In 1910 and 1911, he held classes for the New York Summer School here. Later, Leonard also grew to become the President of the Greenwich Society of Artists.
The home is incredibly charming and well maintained, preserving original historic attributes such as the artist inlay of hardwood floors, staircase and solarium.
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