Late architect Thierry Despont’s Southampton estate to re-list for $19.95M

Despont made his name refurbishing America’s treasured Statue of Liberty and other landmarks, including the Carlyle Hotel, the Woolworth Building, as well as the Ritz in Paris. His private clients included a roster of high-profile names, such as Bill Gates and Calvin Klein.

Despont passed away at the age of 75 on Aug. 13 at this Southampton home; there was no cause specified. And despite being from Limoges, France, his greatest love was the city of New York itself.

In a 2017 interview with The New Yorker, Despont said: “New York has this sense of freedom and possibility. This mix of culture and race from all over the world. It’s wonderful. And we all call ourselves New Yorkers.”

Despont’s Southampton property, at 320 Majors Path, includes the original Southampton Riding and Hunt Club space, which dated to the 1920s. More recently, it was the home of the horse-riding facility Rosewood Farms. Over the years, Despont converted this property into a home with a guesthouse and a pool house.

Despont paid $8.55 million from 2011 to 2013 to create the estate, joined from three contiguous parcels. The property looks out to a 50-acre agricultural reserve.

The six-bedroom main house is a converted barn, and features an open patio courtyard with a fountain — while a converted stable is now the pool house by an infinity pool. An additional barn that was once Despont’s art studio — he was also a talented painter and sculptor — now serves as a four-car garage.

“It’s one of the most unique properties. What he did with the space is incredible. He was a real renaissance man,” said Douglas Elliman’s Paul Brennan, who shares the listing with Elliman brokers Michaela Keszler and Martha Gundersen.

Despont’s Tribeca townhouse, meanwhile — a 10,000-square-foot beauty at 182 Franklin St. — is also on the market for $19.49 million, down from its $24.99 million ask in 2021. That Manhattan residence is listed by Douglas Elliman’s Rueben Schatz.