Once the carriage house of a Gilded Age estate and later the oceanfront refuge of artist Roy Lichtenstein, 50 Gin Lane remains one of Southampton’s most captivating addresses—where history, art, and coastal serenity meet in timeless harmony.
Words By: Jessica Hall
There are few addresses in the Hamptons as storied as Gin Lane, that sinuous ribbon of road tracing the edge of Southampton’s Atlantic horizon. For more than a century, it has symbolized the very best of coastal living, where elegance, privacy, and proximity to the sea blend into something rare and enduring. Nestled along its south side, near the junction of South Main Street, stands 50 Gin Lane, a property that tells not just one story, but many: of heritage, artistry, and the quietly luminous beauty of a life lived by the water.
Originally built in 1897 as the carriage house of the grand “Meadow Beach” estate, once owned by financier Henry M. Day, the home began its life as part of a larger world of Gilded Age opulence. That world, of manicured lawns and seaside leisure, gave rise to the Southampton we know today, a place where history, architecture, and natural splendor intertwine. Yet what makes this home extraordinary is how gracefully it has evolved.
In 1970, it caught the imagination of Roy Lichtenstein, one of the most influential American artists of the 20th century, who purchased the property and transformed it into his creative sanctuary. Lichtenstein brought a modern sensibility to the estate, reimagining its lines and expanding its structure. He added walls of glass that framed the gardens and terraces, opened the interiors to light, and built a separate studio beside a two-car garage, a space where creativity could live as freely as the sea air.
Today, what remains is a home that feels both timeless and alive; a harmonious balance between its late 19th century soul and Lichtenstein’s modernist touch. The 5,825-square-foot residence unfolds across three levels with an effortless rhythm. Light pours through oversized windows, casting shifting reflections across whitewashed walls and warm wood floors. The great room, anchored by a fireplace, feels like the heart of the home; its soaring glass doors opening onto terraces where the Atlantic breeze moves softly through the trees.
Every room seems to lean toward the landscape. Balconies and decks overlook gardens of mature cypress, umbrella pine, and cryptomeria, while the sound of the surf rises faintly in the distance. In spring, the air carries the fragrance of flowering perennials and salt, mingling with the earthy sweetness of the old trees that have watched over the property for more than a century. The gardens, framed by sculptural trunks and lush hosta beds, are a living artwork in themselves; a private sanctuary of green that unfurls to the edge of the dunes.
Inside, five bedrooms and six baths provide both elegance and ease. The primary suite offers glimpses of the ocean from its terrace and opens to the gentle rhythm of the sea breeze each morning. Guest suites, each unique in orientation and outlook, overlook gardens that bloom in layered shades of emerald and silver. The library, lined with books and softly lit corners, recalls the home’s artistic legacy—an intimate space for reading, writing, or reflection.
The home’s aesthetic is one of quiet restraint. Original details meet modern updates with understated grace, from exposed beams and vaulted ceilings to contemporary finishes that echo the surrounding landscape. Each space feels intentional, designed for comfort without excess, refinement without pretense.
Yet perhaps the most extraordinary element of all is its deeded private access to the Atlantic Ocean, treasure even among Southampton’s elite addresses. A winding path through the dunes leads directly to miles of pristine white sand, where the only sound is the steady heartbeat of the surf. It is here, at the threshold between land and sea, that the home’s spirit is fully realized: a place of peace, beauty, and inspiration.
“This property captures the essence of what makes the Hamptons so magnetic,” says Tim Davis of The Corcoran Group, who represents the listing. “It’s rare to find a home that combines such provenance with privacy, artistry, and proximity to the ocean. You feel the history here, but also the potential—it’s ready for its next chapter.” And what a chapter it could be. The 1.93 acre parcel provides room to expand the experience with a pool, tennis court, or new gardens—yet it hardly needs them. The property already feels complete, a perfect dialogue between architecture and environment.
Just beyond the gates lies Southampton Village itself, a place where history hums beneath every shingle. Tree lined streets lead to art galleries, refined boutiques, and sidewalk cafés that come alive in summer’s golden light. Cooper’s Beach, one of the most acclaimed in the nation, is moments away, while the surrounding farmland and meadows still whisper of an older, simpler East End.
At 50 Gin Lane, the Hamptons’ legacy isn’t something to be admired from afar, it’s something to be lived. Here, every window opens to a view worth keeping, every path leads to the sea, and every day ends with the glow of sunset spilling across the dunes. It is, in every sense, a masterpiece of history, nature, and design: an address that continues to define the art of living by the water.
As Davis reflects, “Gin Lane has always represented the heart of Southampton elegance. It’s where the past and present meet in perfect harmony, and where homes like this remind us that true luxury isn’t about newness—it’s about enduring beauty that stands the test of time.”
50 Gin Lane, Southampton, New York is offered at $17,950,000.
View Listing: 50 Gin Lane
For more information and a private showing, please contact:
Tim Davis, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker
Thomas P. Davis, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
Corcoran Group Real Estate
24 Main Street Southampton, NY 11968
T: 631.702.9211 or 516.356.5736
E: [email protected]
W: www.timdavishamptons.com
