Art on 5 Acres: Contemporary Home in Newport News, VA, Is Listed for $2M

One owner has lived in a contemporary, riverfront house since it was built more than 50 years ago.

Now, he’s moving to Florida and listing the Newport News, VA, home for $2 million. He’s leaving some of his art collection behind in the showpiece of a space he has cultivated over the years.

“It’s actually a piece of art, in my opinion,” says listing agent Mike Roberson, of Howard Hanna Williamsburg.

Architect Carlton Sturges Abbott designed the eye-catching abode, which was constructed from redwood. Built in 1969 on a five-acre lot, the architectural gem was featured in a 1971 issue of House Beautiful magazine, where it was described as a “house at ease in any season.”

‘Nothing like it’

“It totally opens up to the water,” Abbott says. “When you pull into the huge circular driveway at the front of this house, you can see all the way through to the water. It has phenomenal views. There’s just nothing like it around here.”

The lot includes a pool house with a full bath and two showers, plus a kitchenette outfitted with a refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave.

The property also comes with a detached garage, which has been used as an art studio.

And an eye-catching, boat-like sculpture protruding from the pool house is actually a water feature that flows into the pool.

Back in the main house, the primary bedroom sits above the central living space and has no separating walls. Movable panels allow for privacy, though.

“There are louvers on the wall,” Roberson explains. “Instead of having blinds or a solid wall, you can grab a bar in the middle to open and shut the louvers.”

The 3,503-square-foot, main home has two other bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. The total size of the property is 5,069 square feet.

The tile in the kitchen is original and the stove is a red, high-end Aga piece. A translucent elevator sits adjacent to the cook space.

The sculptures throughout the property’s interior and exterior—and some of the larger art pieces—convey with the house.

Roberson says the buyer will probably want to make some changes. Overall, though, the house is in good shape.

“I would say, at a minimum, most of people that I would sell it to would spend $100,000 painting it and making interior updates,” he says, adding that the seller didn’t want to make the changes and pick things for the buyer.