A beachfront home once owned by Gwen Verdon is now on the market for $8.95 million. It’s located in Quogue, a hamlet on New York’s Long Island.
The main home was built in the 1800s as a Life-Saving Service station, the predecessor of the US Coast Guard. The station was closed in 1915, and the home has been updated since then. But it still retains relics of its historical past, including a boat room, the original sign and flooring, and other memorabilia.
The property spans 1.1 acres, but it looks bigger because the front yard extends to the ocean. A wooden catwalk takes you to the 150-foot stretch of beach at the edge of the parcel.
One of the first things you’ll notice about the two-story mansion is the mahogany wrap-around porch. The home’s floor plan is about 4,000 square feet. One of its highlights is the brick fireplace in the living room. There’s a free-standing fireplace in the kitchen, too.
You’ll find beamed ceilings and wood floors throughout. In addition to spacious living areas, the layout features five bedrooms and three bathrooms, including a primary suite with its own balcony. But if you’re staying in a bedroom that doesn’t have balcony access, you can still enjoy the raised deck that crowns the home. From here, you can take in stunning views of the ocean.
The large seaside retreat opens onto a simple foyer with a small wood table and artwork hanging on the beige walls. From there, you can relax or entertain friends in the spacious living room. There’s a family room, too, with plenty of windows looking out on the landscape.
This home is definitely not lacking in space for preparing and enjoying a meal. There are a full kitchen and breakfast nook, which gives the feel of a private booth in a nice restaurant. There’s also a formal dining room with French doors leading from the living room. Pendant lights hang from the ceiling and match the rich brown hues of the wood dining table, floor, and paneling.
The bedrooms are richly-furnished. Cathedral ceilings and French doors give them an especially sophisticated look.
As if all that wasn’t enough, there are several outdoor amenities too. Probably the best one is the pool because it’s heated. If you want to try swimming outside year-round, this might be the place to do it. And when it’s time to wash off the chlorine (or ocean salt and sand), you can rinse off in the outdoor shower.
For guests who prefer having their own space, there’s a detached bungalow on the property too, allowing visitors to enjoy private quarters.
Gwen Verdon (January 13, 1925-October 18, 2000) was an actress and dancer who won four Tony Awards. She began dancing on stage by age six and took classes in juggling as a child. She taught dance to several celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe. Verdon also appeared in several episodes of Walker Texas Ranger. An avid cat-lover, she kept up to six at one time.