Historic Hamptons Estate – Which Was Listed For $72 Million – Finds A Buyer

Villa Maria, the 22,000-square-foot Water Mill estate of the late shoe mogul Vince Camuto, has found a buyer. The Gatsby-era property is currently in contract – its last asking price was $72 million.

Camuto and his wife purchased the property back in 2005, and spent years restoring the waterfront manor to its original 1920s glory.

The estate was built in 1887, and was extensively remodeled for the first time by Brooklyn-based architect Frank Freeman in 1919. Eventually the property was turned into a convent and spirituality center, however, during the spring of 2005, it was put up for sale.

The Camuto’s scooped up the property for $35 million and enlisted New York City architect Andre Tchelistcheff in the major restoration, which took six years.

Villa Maria was originally built in 1887 as a private residence. (Photo: Patrick McMullan/PatrickMcMullan.com)

“There was something magical about the place,” Camuto said during a feature about the home in Architectural Digest. “Though the nuns couldn’t afford the upkeep or the taxes, they wanted a buyer who would take care of it.”

The extravagant Hamptons abode boasts 11 bedrooms – including a remarkable 6-room master suite, a handmade stone and wrought iron staircase, waterside pool, pool cabana, large stone terrace overlook the bay, tennis court, and a two-bedroom guesthouse. It is located on 11 acres overlooking Mecox Bay.