Croquet on the rolling lawn. Badminton. Lemonade on the patio, served by uniformed staff. One of the original East Hampton summer mansions, Onadune harks back to a slower, more gracious past. And now it can be yours for $25 million.
It was built by John Custis Lawrence between 1903 and 1907. Lawrence designed a number of great houses in East Hampton, mostly in this breezy Arts and Crafts style. This was, by the way, the fourth (and final) house that Mrs. S. Fisher Johnson built in East Hampton. And who were the Fisher Johnsons? The business guide New York 1894, Illustrated, reported:
S. F. JOHNSON & CO. Bankers and Brokers, No. 18 Wall Street.— This well-known concern was founded originally in January, 1869, by Johnson & Day, who were succeeded by Gwynne, Johnson & Day. and in 1879, Messrs. S. Fisher Johnson and Charles W. Miller formed a partnership under the present firm title. Both are thoroughly experienced men, and devote their close attention to the wants of their patrons.
So yep, more Wall Street bankers. Mr. S. Fisher Johnson retired in 1905–we hope, to spend more time in East Hampton–and the partnership was dissolved. Unfortunately, they didn’t get to spend too much time at Onadune, since he died in 1915 and she in 1922. They rented Onadune to John D. Rockefeller in the summer of 1907, when the house was new.
Onadune was eventually sold to someone called Edward de Clifford Chisholm, who was, wait for it, a Wall Street banker. Not surprising: even back then, it takes Wall Street (or similar) money to keep up an estate like Onadune. Sadly, by the late 80s, Onadune was in a state of severe disrepair; new owners broguht in local starchitect Peter Cook to bring the house back to its former glory. The place was last sold in 2006 for just over $15 million.
Onadune is looking mighty fine today, we must say. The original house, with its coveted third story, is in fine fettle; the original carriage house still exists with amenities we love like a wine room, dish room, and potting room. There’s also a pool house with living room, great kitchen, a bedroom, bath and laundry. In all, there are 14,000 square feet of living space on the estate, 11 bedrooms, 8 baths, and 3 half baths.
Interested? Contact Scott Strough at Compass, the listing agent. We’ll be expecting G&Ts in the sunroom.
- 30 The Crossways & 52 Georgica Road [C]
30 The Crossways, East Hampton, NY 11937
