Late Museum Curator Thomas Armstrong’s Glassy Fishers Island Home Comes to Market

Late Museum Curator Thomas Armstrong’s Glassy Fishers Island Creation Comes to Market

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Photograph by Neil Knowles / Sotheby’s International Realty
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Photograph by Neil Knowles / Sotheby’s International Realty
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Photograph by Neil Knowles / Sotheby’s International Realty
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Photograph by Neil Knowles / Sotheby’s International Realty

The late Thomas Armstrong, who was a renowned museum director for places like the Whitney Museum and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, wanted to “live in a garden with art.” So, he created exactly that. Armstrong pioneered this passion project, building it on the site of his family’s former summer home on Fishers Island and bringing in acclaimed architect Thomas Phifer to design it. The glass masterpiece now known as Hooverness came to life in 2008, a modernist’s dream right on the water. It just listed, so someone can buy the artful property for $8.25 million.

Reminiscent of Philip Johnson’s Glass House in New Canaan, the coastal retreat captures stunning views of the secluded island. Only nine miles long, Fishers Island flies under the radar as a prime between the North Fork of Long Island and the coast of Mystic, Connecticut. Navigated by its winding roads, the exclusive enclave is an idyllic and quiet spot for relaxing in the summer.

Constructed primarily using steel and glass, the streamlined and open design allows for the views and also lets the fine art inside to steal the show. All one-story with a basement below, the seamless flow of the 4,600 square foot home encompasses several sitting areas as well as three bathrooms. Setting it apart from most vacation getaways, there’s just one bedroom. The lone suite is also wrapped in glass, but privacy won’t be much of an issue considering the property sits on three uninterrupted acres.

Emphasizing Armstrong’s desire to revel in the natural environment, there are 25 garden ‘scenes’ carefully placed across the grounds. Whether you prefer perennials or a Japanese-style garden, there’s no shortage of greenery outside the house.