It takes a creative vision to turn a historic, working potato barn with dirt floors into something special (without knocking it down). A vision, indeed, is what award-winning artists Karl Mann and Hector Leonardi brought to this Bridgehampton property. Their one-of-a-kind home/studio is now on the market for $4,450,000.
Mann once said that “the secret to renovation is deciding how you want to live”—and that proves true at this residence. Both currently in their 90s, Mann, known for his collage artworks, and Leonardi, a painter, have lived and worked at this property for 32 years. They transformed it from a working barn into an artist’s paradise.
The building, embedded into the ground, is home to not one, but two artist studios. The barn’s vaulted ceilings provide plenty of wall space to display their works, with ample light shining through the airy space. A loft is accessible via a Parisian 18th-century staircase, while the living quarters total three bedrooms and three full baths. French doors lead to the serene outdoor living spaces, which includes a brick patio.
The Hamptons’ rich agricultural history and artistic roots shine brightly at this property, which is just a short distance to the beach. Kyle Rosko and Marcy Braun of Douglas Elliman and S. Hunie Kwon of The Hudson Advisory Team at Compass share the listing.