Estate of former art patron, philanthropist and collector, Melva Bucksbaum, sells in Sharon, Connecticut
Known as the Herrick House and Granary Art Gallery, sale underscores current desire for properties with generous acreage and multiple structures for extended family and staff as well as remote working The home, listed at US$11,995,000, was represented by
New York, New York (December 10, 2020) — Melva Bucksbaum, longtime trustee and benefactor of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City, completely modernized her estate’s main residence on the 52-acre property, originally built in the 1920s, when she purchased some 80 years later. Her intent, masterfully executed, was to complement her collection of contemporary art while retaining the home’s historic charm. She also built a 14,000-square-foot museum-quality on-site art gallery and fine art storage facility, known as the Granary, which has hosted myriad openings and receptions. Four additional structures complete the offering.
Christie’s auctioned pieces from Ms. Bucksbaum’s collection over the course of a year in a wide range of venues, including the prestigious Post-War & Contemporary Art Evening sale in 2017. An additional dedicated online sale offered works by emerging artists that Ms. Bucksbaum ardently supported throughout her life. The Bucksbaum family has also endowed a biennial award since 1996, granting US$100,000 to a deserving artist.
Says Shaylene Neumann of Neumann Real Estate, who represented the property: “Herrick House and the Granary Art Gallery is an estate meant to be treasured and representing its sale was a thrill on many levels. It was the highest grossing sale in my team’s history. We found the perfect buyer who fell in love with the estate. Most importantly honoring the legacy of Melva Bucksbaum, who so passionately restored the estate and adored living in it, was especially meaningful.”
To date, Litchfield County has already doubled the closed sales volume for properties over US$3,000,000 than was achieved in 2019. With one month left in 2020, and if new inventory comes on the market, Litchfield County has the potential to exceed the luxury sales volume achieved in the three-year period from 2016 to 2018.
Says Kathleen Coumou, executive director of Christie’s International Real Estate: “Litchfield County, less than two hours from New York City, has long attracted celebrities for its rural aesthetic so close to the city. Playwright Arthur Miller is credited for discovering the county when he bought a home for Marilyn Monroe, his then wife. Artist Jasper Johns lives in Sharon, as do actors Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgewick. This past year, sales in this area have been booming.”
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