A classic East Hampton house with history and bold-name provenance.
The nuts and bolts
7 bedrooms
7 full baths in main house
2 half baths
6,000 square feet
1.95 acres
House proud
While perhaps not originally built for entertaining—the house dates from the 1950s—over the years, renovations and expansions made this home ideal for entertaining, whether for family gatherings or large groups of bold-name guests such as Bill and Hillary Clinton, Alec Baldwin, Paul Newman, Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney and many other megawatt visitors. Indeed, the home once belonged to best-selling author Gail Sheehy before transferring ownership to Liz Robbins, a pioneering Washington, D.C., lobbyist and her husband Doug Johnson, a former Eyewitness News TV anchorman. Robbins died in 2023, with a reputation not only as a powerful lobbyist who championed causes such as children’s health and poverty reduction, but as a talented hostess.
Each summer, Robbins held a weekend-long party at her East Hampton home, sometimes hosting up to 200 people according to Sheila Smith, the Corcoran agent representing the listing. Sited on nearly two acres with ample spaces for lounging, dining and cocktails or just strolling, it’s easy to see why the home was a magnet for such gatherings.
“Liz Robbins surrounded herself with people from all walks of life, politicians, dignitaries and celebrities; she was welcoming to everyone,” Smith says, adding that her annual weekend was legendary.
What’s the plan?
The two-story home has many of everything: bedrooms, bathrooms, fireplaces, sitting rooms and entertainment spaces, and warm details such as the selective pine and oak paneling throughout the house. One wing of the first floor features three bedrooms, one of which is a junior primary with an ensuite bathroom. Center of the first floor plan are open areas serving as a den and an 857-square-foot open-plan living and dining room. The opposite wing features a kitchen space with adjacent 15 x 33 breakfast room and sitting area, also in an open format. The second floor is devoted to the nearly 600-square-foot primary bedroom suite with a balcony, large bathroom and walk-in closet, and another bedroom or office of 378 square feet whose bathroom can be ensuite and accessed by the hallway. The 4,000-square-foot lower level has two more ensuite bedrooms, a 21 x 29 home theater with fireplace, a gym, powder room, flexible open space and plenty of storage.
What’s cooking?
The 12 x 24 chef’s kitchen features natural wood cabinets and pine and oak paneling, a favorite theme running through the house. It’s equipped with appliances by Viking, Thermador, Miele and Sub-Zero. The custom counters are made of wood and stainless steel and the pantry is enclosed in salvaged library doors Robbins found, just a few of the custom details throughout the home.
What else?
An apple grove is along the driveway approaching the house and the yards around the home are graciously landscaped with mature specimen trees and flowering Rose of Sharon bushes. “Liz always wanted it to be a place to relax and enjoy with very natural landscaping,” Smith says.
Amenities and more
- Heated lap-style gunite pool and attached spa
- Six wood-burning fireplaces
- Separate guest cottage
- Greenhouse
One cool thing (or two)
There’s a 400-square-foot cottage on the property with a full bathroom. The two-story barn-style garage accommodates three cars and has the space and style to adapt for other purposes. It has sliding barn doors on either side that can transform the building into a walk-through entertainment space.
Agent’s callout
“This is Old East Hampton,” Smith says, “You don’t see homes like this anymore and this one is steeped in history.”
Location, location, location
The home is less than two miles from the center of East Hampton, 1.3 miles from Buckskill Meadow Preserve and East Hampton Main Beach; and 1.7 miles from Georgica Pond.
Details
The house at 38 Darby Lane lists for$11,850,000 and the details can be seen here.
