Grey Gardens House: Inside the $25 M Dream Estate

Grey Gardens House in East Hampton is a beautiful, old-style home with a soft, romantic charm. It mixes classic architecture with lovely coastal gardens, making it feel both elegant and peaceful. The front of the house has large windows that let in plenty of natural light, and inside, the rooms feel open and bright with stunning views of the ocean and nearby Georgica Pond. The whole place has a calm, artistic vibe, like stepping into a piece of history.
The house has a big sunroom where you can relax and enjoy the light, plus an upstairs balcony perfect for sunbathing. Outside, there are pretty, walled gardens and a pool area that’s great for hosting gatherings or simply enjoying quiet time. Sitting on almost 4 acres of land, the property is very private, hidden behind tall hedges.Overall, Grey Gardens isn’t just a house—it’s a special, historic place with a unique story, offering a peaceful and charming escape in the Hamptons.

But before we step inside, let me tell you about the family who made this place famous.
Owner Of Grey Gardens House
The current owner of the Grey Gardens House in East Hampton is American fashion designer and entrepreneur Liz Lange (the founder of Liz Lange Maternity and helmer of the clothing line Figue).
She purchased the legendary property in December 2017 for $15.5 million from journalist Sally Quinn and has since overseen a massive, multi-million dollar restoration of the home and its famous walled gardens alongside prominent interior designers.
Historical Ownership Timeline

| Years | Owner | Notes |
| 1897 – 1913 | Stanhope Phillips & Margaret Phillips | Commissioned the home’s original construction. |
| 1913 – 1924 | Robert C. Hill & Anna Gilman Hill | Acquired the property and designed the iconic concrete-walled botanical gardens that gave the estate its name. |
| 1924 – 1979 | Phelan Beale & Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale | Purchased for “Big Edie.” It later became the site of the famous 1975 Maysles brothers documentary chronicling the reclusive lives of “Big Edie” and “Little Edie” Beale. |
| 1979 – 2017 | Ben Bradlee & Sally Quinn | The Washington Post executive editor and his journalist wife bought the home from “Little Edie” for $220,000, saving it from demolition and executing its first major historic restoration. |
| 2017 – Present | Liz Lange | The current owner, who completely modernized the structural systems (including raising the house to build a full basement) while preserving its historic Shingle-style legacy. |
Grey Gardens feels like a warm, romantic place that takes you back in time. It’s the kind of home where you can enjoy the beauty of the coast while also feeling inspired and relaxed. It’s not just a house—it feels like a peaceful, sun-filled retreat where old history and modern comfort come together naturally.
Just like Britney Spears house, the home has a large sunroom filled with light and an upstairs balcony that’s perfect for relaxing in the sun. Outside, there’s a beautiful garden area surrounded by walls, along with a heated pool, making it a great spot to unwind or spend time with guests.Even though it’s famous and full of history, the estate still offers privacy and a calm lifestyle right in East Hampton. It’s a perfect mix of charm, comfort, and quiet luxury.
Grey Gardens House Location:West End Road, East Hampton
The legendary Grey Gardens estate is situated in the ultra-exclusive Georgica Pond neighborhood of East Hampton, New York, a wealthy coastal enclave on Long Island’s South Fork. The exact location of the property is 3 West End Road (at the corner of Lily Pond Lane), East Hampton, NY 11937.
Nestled just steps away from the Atlantic Ocean, the property sits perfectly positioned on a prime corner lot surrounded by towering privacy hedges and historic estates. This peaceful, park-like location allows the historic Shingle-style manor to feel completely hidden from the public eye while remaining just minutes from the pristine shores of Georgica Beach.
Inside Grey Gardens House: My Personal Tour
As Afshin Hatami, Founder of Opinohome, I’ve walked through some of the most exclusive “Sovereign Assets” in the world, but stepping into the Grey Gardens estate felt like a glimpse into a timeless romance. It doesn’t rely on the glass walls or minimalist angles of a modern city mansion; instead, it is a masterclass in Gilded Age character and coastal nostalgia.
Interior Of Grey Gardens House
Now I’ll take you inside Grey Gardens, where I personally toured every interior space to show you around—step by step—explaining each area as if I’m walking you through the house myself, one room at a time.
Bedrooms Of Grey Gardens House
As I explored the home, the bedrooms felt calm, private, and deeply nostalgic. The manor layout houses 7 beautifully appointed bedrooms, each acting as a historic suite that pays quiet tribute to the home’s artistic past.

The legendary second-floor primary suite features soft, period-inspired fabrics, a custom-restored fireplace, and wide windows capturing fresh ocean breezes. It directly connects to the famous upper sunbathing balcony, where you can look out across the walled grounds just as the Beale family did decades ago.
Dining Room Of House
As I moved into the house, The dining room at Grey Gardens feels fresh, bright, and very close to nature. It’s painted in a soft mint-green color, which gives it a calm, garden-like vibe. The most eye-catching feature is the large sliding glass doors that open up to a beautiful view of the garden, letting in lots of sunlight and making the space feel open and airy.

On both sides of the doors, there are unique white wooden designs shaped like palm trees, which match the greenery outside. The room has been carefully restored and now looks lively and welcoming again.It’s decorated with green wicker chairs, soft floral patterns, bamboo touches, and even a few antique birdcages. Altogether, the room feels cozy, a little playful, and perfectly styled for a relaxed coastal lifestyle.
Kitchen Of Grey Gardens House
As I stepped into the kitchen, it felt welcoming, bright, and masterfully tailored for contemporary culinary life while preserving its historical scale. The space flows seamlessly into a sunlit breakfast room, anchored by a custom hutch painted in a striking Farrow & Ball blue.

Beautifully patterned floral wall coverings line the walls, and expansive windows connect the cooking space directly to a vibrant outdoor vegetable and cutting garden just outside.
Living Room Of Grey Gardens House
As I entered the living room of Grey Gardens, it felt wonderfully grand, layered, and full of cultural character. Designed as the home’s ultimate visual statement, the room features an eclectic mix of vintage Italian brass tables and custom-upholstered sofas utilizing classic Billy Baldwin-inspired fabrics.

The high ceilings and original historic moldings bounce natural sunlight across the room, creating an atmosphere that feels sophisticated yet entirely joyful and full of life.
The Attic Game Room & Sitting Area
Moving up to the third floor, the once-abandoned attic spaces have been brilliantly transformed into a vibrant wonderland for family entertainment and guest lodging.
The room features a cozy sitting area enveloped in custom hand-painted botanical murals, an inviting striped sectional couch, and plenty of space for board games, completely re-imagining the highest level of the house into a playful creative escape.
Swimming Pool Of Grey Gardens House
As I walked outside, the pool area revealed itself as a brilliant addition to the historic estate. Designed as a perfect circle, it was inspired by the glamorous Hollywood pool of film producer Robert Evans.

Flanked by custom blue-and-white striped chaise longues, the pool is accompanied by a fantastical pool pavilion tented in custom-painted decorative stripes, offering an elite, resort-style outdoor wing for summer entertaining.
History Of Grey Gardens House
The garden at the Grey Gardens estate in East Hampton, New York, has a famous history. It went from a beautiful, luxury garden to a completely wild jungle, and finally back to a stunning, restored paradise.
The Birth of Grey Gardens (1913)
The story of the property began when Robert and Anna Gilman Hill bought the land. Anna really loved gardening and paid close attention to the beauty around her. She noticed the soft gray color of the house’s wooden shingles, the sandy dunes nearby, and the misty ocean air.All of those gentle gray tones inspired her, so she decided to name the place Grey Gardens.
Designing a Secret Walled Garden
Anna wanted a special, private space to grow her favorite plants. She hired a landscape designer to help her build a beautiful walled garden. To make it truly unique, Anna imported decorative concrete walls all the way from Spain to surround the area.
Inside these walls, she created a magical space filled with:
- Bright, colorful flowers that loved the coastal air.
- Lovely pathways for walking.
- A thatched tea house to relax in.
- A pergola (a wooden frame) for climbing plants to grow on.
During this time, it was known as one of the most beautiful private gardens in the area.

The Jungle Takes Over (1920s–1970s)
In 1924, a family named the Beales bought the house. Eventually, two women lived there alone: Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale (“Big Edie”) and her daughter Edith Bouvier Beale (“Little Edie”). They were the aunt and cousin of Jackie Kennedy (the famous First Lady).
Over the years, the family lost their money. They could no longer afford to hire gardeners or fix up the property. Slowly, nature took over:
- The beautiful, neat flower beds disappeared.
- Vines, ivy, and thick brush grew so high that they completely hid the house from the street.
- The old Spanish walls were buried under weeds and overgrown trees.
By the 1970s, the garden looked like a wild, spooky jungle. This overgrown look became famous all over the world when a major documentary movie was filmed about the two women in 1975.
Bringing the Garden Back to Life (1979–Present)
After Big Edie passed away, Little Edie sold Grey Gardens in 1979 to a couple, Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn. They made a promise to keep the old house and not tear it down.
Sally Quinn really loved gardening. Over time, she worked hard to clear out the overgrown weeds that had taken over the garden. As she cleaned it up, she discovered the original Spanish-style concrete walls still standing underneath. She then planted new flowers and slowly brought the garden back to life, just like it was meant to be.
Today, the home is owned by fashion designer Liz Lange. She takes great care of the house and its famous gardens, making sure they stay beautiful and full of life.
Key Features
- Shingle Style Victorian mansion designed in 1897 by architect Joseph Greenleaf Thorp, featuring a classic turn-of-the-century American “seaside cottage” look.
- Located on a private 4-acre estate at 3 West End Road in the exclusive Georgica Pond neighborhood of East Hampton, New York.
- Named “Grey Gardens” by original owner Anna Gilman Hill for the distinct color mix of its concrete garden walls, the sand dunes, and the Atlantic sea mist.
- Exterior walls and roof are wrapped entirely in continuous cedar shingles designed to blend in with the natural, irregular textures of the nearby beach dunes.
- Sprawling 11,000-square-foot interior layout containing 14 rooms, including a grand central hall, an elegant parlor, a library, and multiple upper-floor bedrooms.
- Features a historic 75×40-foot Spanish walled garden enclosed by decorative cement walls imported from Spain to shield delicate flowers from harsh ocean winds.
- Showcases classic asymmetrical architectural elements like sweeping gabled rooflines, multiple massive brick chimneys, and large wraparound porches supported by curved columns.
- Includes a famous second-story bay window overlooking the estate grounds.
- Immortalized in the 1975 Maysles brothers documentary, which cataloged the home’s period of extreme structural decay when the eccentric Bouvier-Beale family lived there in isolation.
- Meticulously restored from near-demolition in 1979 by Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee and journalist Sally Quinn, who preserved its original 1897 identity using hidden attic antiques.
Conclusion
After spending about 2 hours inside Grey Gardens, it truly felt like stepping into a calm, beautiful story from the past. Every corner of the house has its own charm, mixing old history with modern comfort in a very natural way. The peaceful gardens, bright rooms, and ocean breeze make it feel relaxing and special at the same time. Overall, it’s not just a house—it’s a quiet, elegant escape full of life and memories.Just like Grey Gardens, the Selena Gomez house also reflects a perfect blend of comfort, personality, and modern luxury.
FAQs
What makes the Grey Gardens dining room special?
It stands out for its mint-green “garden pavilion” design that connects indoor space with the outdoor gardens.
When did Liz Lange buy the house?
She purchased it in December 2017.
How large is the property land?
The estate sits on about 4 acres of land.
Who originally named Grey Gardens?
Anna Gilman Hill named it after the gray coastal tones.






