The Wall Street Journal wrote about it.
Last weekend, curious residents headed over to Beachside Common, to see #11 for themselves.
An estate sale drew them to the home of biotech entrepreneur/investor/scientist Alan Walton and his wife Elenor.
They bought the 1970s contemporary overlooking Burying Hill Beach in 2000, for $6.3 million. It was expanded and “reimagined” in the 1990s — for $13 million.
One view of he exterior …
With its floating staircase, periscope skylights, rainbow glazing purple carpet — and a 150-foot multicolored tile pathway that “meanders” through the house — it was not for everyone.
Alan died in 2015. Elenor died last February. The couple was a much-admired part of their tight-knit neighborhood.
In her will, Elenor told her children to sell the property.
They did. Now it’s slated for demolition.
,,, and another …
The other day, an anonymous Westporter — calling him or herself “Concerned Quirky Citizen” — emailed the Planning & Zoning Commission, Westport Downtown Association, and various other town and state officials. The writer urged “the Town of Westport and any relevant boards, commissions, and elected officials to reconsider” the teardown.
That’s a heavy lift. The Historic District Commission can only vote to delay demolition of a structure older than 50 years, for 180 days. In theory, that buys time to find a way to save a home.
In nearly every case, the owner — who presumably brought the property intending to tear it down — waits out the delay, then brings in the wrecking ball.
That will probably happen to 11 Beachside Common. But here is the anonymous resident’s plea:
“From everything that has been shared publicly, this home is not only an extraordinary piece of residential architecture, but also a physical record of technological, cultural, and artistic history.
“This property appears to represent a rare convergence of design, innovation and local heritage.
… with one view of the interior …
“The house underwent an extensive and highly considered transformation by a noted architect, resulting in a structure that functions more like a livable gallery than a conventional home. It stands out for its unconventional forms, light-filled interior spaces, and the way it integrates with its coastal setting.
“Many visitors and community members have described it as unlike anything else in the area, which suggests it may be eligible for recognition as a historically or architecturally significant resource.
“In addition to its architectural value, the home is closely associated with individuals whose work shaped modern science and technology, including contributions connected to NASA’s Apollo program and to early MRI development.
“When a building has direct ties to people whose work has had a global impact, and when that building has been consciously designed and redesigned with that legacy in mind, demolition is not just a private decision with private consequences. It is the permanent erasure of a cultural asset that could otherwise benefit the town, the state, and the broader public.
… and another …
“I fully recognize that the property is privately owned and that owners have important rights. At the same time, towns routinely treat certain structures and landscapes as part of the public good and subject them to additional review or protection when they meet criteria for historic, architectural, or cultural significance.
“I am asking that Westport, in coordination with its relevant boards and commissions, explore all available mechanisms to:
- Evaluate whether 11 Beachside Common meets local, state, or national criteria for historic or architectural significance.
- Consider interim measures (such as a temporary delay of demolition) to allow proper study and public input.
- Engage with the current owner and any interested preservation organizations to explore alternatives to total demolition, such as adaptive reuse, partial preservation, sale to a preservation-minded buyer, or creative public–private partnerships.
“Preserving this structure, or even a substantial portion of it, could provide Westport with a unique cultural and educational asset. Possibilities might include limited public tours, curated events, collaborations with architectural schools or design programs, or partnerships with arts and science institutions that could interpret the technology and innovation stories embedded in the home.
… and a third …
“Many communities have successfully turned singular private properties into sources of civic pride, tourism, and long-term economic and cultural value while still respecting ownership and neighborhood character.
“Respectfully, it is hard to understand how a town benefits from losing a one‑of‑a‑kind coastal landmark that has captured the imagination of so many residents and visitors. Once demolished, it cannot be recreated. Even a modest pause, serious assessment, and transparent public conversation would be far better than allowing such an asset to vanish without a full understanding of what is being lost.
” want to be clear that I am not accusing any individual or entity of wrongdoing, and I recognize that the property may be proceeding through the standard approval and permitting channels.
“My concern is that, even when all legal requirements are followed, the loss of a culturally and architecturally significant home can still be a preventable tragedy, and I am asking that every available option be explored before an irreversible decision is carried out.
… and one more.
“At minimum, I ask that the town publicly communicate what steps, if any, have been taken to evaluate 11 Beachside Common for historic or architectural protection, and what opportunities exist for public participation in any remaining processes.
“Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your service to the community. I would be grateful for a response describing whether there are any upcoming meetings, hearings, or procedures related to this property, and how members of the public can best participate constructively.”
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If that house was torn down and the remaining pile of debris was removed by dump trucks, it would cause total chaos on that tiny street. I don’t get it. Tear down and rebuild? I don’t see the economic benefit of tearing down to rebuild. What am I missing here? What type of structure would replace it? I’m baffled.
Excellent!!!! It would be a perfect location for the Westport Museum of History and Culture (formerly the Westport Historical Society). The museum (of History and Culture) has grown, creeped its mission and gotten too big for its current britches on Avery Place. Relocation to Beachside Common is the perfect solution. The town would then be free to tear down the Avery location and expand Parker Harding Plaza to include the former History and Culture site. Parker Harding Plaza could then be rebranded as Easier Not Harder Parking Plaza Unlimited Free Parking Plaza. Long range plans beyond that would be to tear down the current Christ and Holy Trinity Church to allow for additional parking for the WalMart, Target and Sam’s Club Museum of Conspicuous Consumption and Retail Culture that is under consideration for the current Veterans Green (the one adjacent to the Town Hall (formerly Bedford Elementary School).
Find out if the new owner would consider selling.
E.J. loved her house so much! She probably is turning in her grave at the thought of it being demolished. So sad!
I’ve been thinking the same thing. I was her neighbor for a few years and she was one of my favorite people to ever exist. I was heartbroken by her loss and seeing this house get demolished breaks my heart all over again. I wish someone with her whimsical style had come along and purchased it. This house, much like E.J. is was truly one of a kind. Many thanks to Dan Woog and WSJ for featuring it in the past.
I completely agree with “Concerned Quirky Citizen’s” letter. I went over to 11 Beachside Common twice last weekend and was in complete awe of the structure. This house should absolutely be preserved by our town based on all of the points “Concerned Quirky Citizen” communicated in the emails to the town.
I actually called and spoke with someone at length at the P&Z Commission and also to someone at the Historic District Commission to see if there is anything we can do to stop this beautiful and creative structure from being torn down. It did not seem like there was anything to stop the process. If there is, I would be glad to help prevent this gemstone from being demolished.
If someone(s) wants to preserve this property, I would imagine all it would take is money. Starting price of $5 million plus whatever else new owner spent on it. Maybe a bit more for their trouble. Anyone want to pony up that? Or have their taxes pay for that? Maybe start a GoFundMe page?
Might check with current owner to see if they would willing to sell first. Not hard to figure out who owns it. Dan might even have their contact info and/or be wiling to act as go between to determine its availability.
Dan,
My company C2C Home Edit ran the Estate Sale / Pre- Demolition sale at 11 Beachside Common.
We not only sold much of the furniture, home decor and art, but also parts of the home for repurposing. Doors, windows, vanities, light fixtures, track lighting, closets, kitchen cabinets and much more
Preserving a home slated for demolition is not always the most practical or responsible choice. While a retro 1970s house may be visually striking and function as a unique showpiece, the financial realities can outweigh its appeal. Older homes of this era are often costly to operate, with high monthly expenses tied to energy inefficiency, outdated systems, and ongoing maintenance demands. Without strong architectural, historical, or cultural significance, the investment required to sustain such a property may be difficult to justify. In some cases, redevelopment or replacement can better serve both economic and community interests.
C2C Home Edit does take a commission for organizing, advertising and running these sales. We also work with Coastal Luxury Homes, the builder of the new house going up, as they donate most of the sales proceeds to local charities.
If you would like to take a walk through this home, before the pieces of the house get removed by buyers – please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Deering Rose
C2C Home Edit
203.604.7118
Thank you, Deering, for this update—and for hosting the estate sale and public walk-throughs. I’m still agog at my tour of this remarkable artifact of a house and thoughts of the lives well lived within it. That said, I have to agree with Gaby’s comment below. Some homes are just so idiosyncratic and, yes, too dated, to be preserved for posterity, though I’m happy that many of the custom furnishings will be repurposed as elements of new homes. My question is about the miles of tile: Have they been sold off? If not, would it be possible to salvage the tiles and use the colorful pieces to create a mural? Say on one of the concrete walls at nearby Burying Hill Beach? I love the mural at Longshore pool and can see a similar art project created by local schoolkids at the beach, perhaps with the theme of sustainability or environmental resiliency.
First of all, if you can afford to live in Westport, you couldn’t care less about what your heating bill is. I can’t imagine tearing the home down, building from scratch, and making enough money to make it worth while. In the old days, if you kept one wall, you didn’t build a new house, you renovated the old house. We did this once in Westport 65 years ago.
Jack,
Why only once? Never give up!!!!
You know that enormous mansion on the corner of Clapboard Hill and South Morningside Dr? The driveway originally went to South Morningside, but the new owner changed the driveway to Clapboard. The original house was smack dab in the middle of the soon to be Connecticut Thruway (I-95 now.) The house was moved to the corner of Clapboard & Morningside. One wall was saved and it was “renovated.” Now I’m not sure how many owners it’s had, but it was a renovation with one original wall ! Before it was renovated, C.B. Dolge lived there, and it was a weekend home to a root canal dentist from Brooklyn, New York.
Jack,
Dan covered this house several months ago. It’s owned by a retired HR professional and spouse. There’s a growing need for HR professionals because “hip” executives have been “mingling” with oligarchs like Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein (former Westporter 😎😺🥳). If it weren’t for HR policies a lot more people would be in trouble.
Hmmmm.. I wonder how many owners have owned that house since Adolph Backiel moved it from the property that would become the Connecticut Thruway? I do remember a woman commented on 06880 that when her family moved to Westport, they drove by the house and liked the house and wanted to buy it, but didn’t think they could afford it. I can’t remember her name.
Fortunately, Adolph moved the house BEFORE they built the thruway, otherwise a whole generation of Backiels would have tire tracks across their backs (and THAT would not be a good look).
Note: It’s HARD adding humor to 06880 day in/day out but I do it with a smirk on my face (and song in my heart). After all, I’m an Orphenian!!! If you don’t know what you’d do without me, please make a donation to Dan (Woog, not Katz) 06880.
And don’t forget to sign Andrew Sonobello’s petition.
Dear Mr. Woog,
I admire you for showing such restraint in your description of the house. As a longtime lover and follower of architecture I only wish I had an ounce of your discretion . Let me say my skin was crawling and my breathing became very labored as I entered the house . I thought I was in some Faustian nightmare ! I tried to leave but my friend who brought me wanted to see everything
Later that day when I was still trying to process what I’d seen, I surmised that probably the client and design team had referenced the 1970’s Memphis style that came out of Milan which was fun and colorful in small doses .
I had to shower when I got home and do some deep breathing to rid my mind of the horror I had seen.
To each his own I guess.
Sincerely ,
Gaby Longhi Chautin
I admire Gaby’s comment. Describing it as a Nightmare is being kind. But then again Westport architecture is neither historic (copycat maybe) or inspiring….especially not with the garbage being constructed lately.
Brava Gaby.