Filmmaker Gary Ross and his wife, Claudia Solti, are divesting their meticulously reimagined brownstone in Brooklyn's historic Cobble Hill district. Acquired nearly five years ago for $5.4 million, this mid-19th-century residence, initially constructed for merchant Samuel Richard St. John, has undergone a comprehensive transformation. The couple's extensive renovation efforts have culminated in a property now on the market for $10.6 million, boasting a redesigned private garden, a dedicated wellness area, and sophisticated entertainment facilities, all tailored to their lifestyle preferences.
Ross, acclaimed for his work on films such as “Seabiscuit,” “Big,” and “The Hunger Games,” expressed his desire for a home designed around their daily routines, including hosting dinner parties, enjoying movies with friends, and providing a garden space for children. The renovation introduced a formal dining room seamlessly connected to a fully equipped kitchen via a dumbwaiter, and notably, a basement level was excavated to create a cinema with 10-foot ceilings alongside a luxurious spa. The couple expressed immense satisfaction with the outcome, believing the residence offers a truly transformative living experience.
Now based in Los Angeles, Ross and Solti are offering their five-bedroom, seven-bathroom townhouse, which spans approximately 6,400 square feet across six floors and is 23 feet wide. A highlight of the property is the parlor-floor living room, featuring elegant herringbone-patterned wood floors, a sleek linear fireplace, and towering windows that extend to the 12-foot ceiling. Steel-framed glass doors provide access to the formal dining room, which is served by a contemporary dumbwaiter leading to the garden-level kitchen. This kitchen is outfitted with bespoke cabinetry, an eat-in island, premium appliances, and a spacious walk-in pantry. An adjacent lounge area opens onto a terrace, complete with a fire pit, and seamlessly integrates with the verdant garden.
The first and third levels each house three bedrooms, each accompanied by its own en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. The entire fourth floor is dedicated to the primary suite, which includes two walk-in closets, a luxurious bathroom featuring dual vanities and a white veined-marble shower, and a separate fireside den. The uppermost level offers a sky-lit living room, a kitchen accented with brick, and a study overlooking an enclosed terrace. The basement has been transformed into a gym, a sauna, and a soundproof movie theater with plush, tiered seating. The property's prime location in northwest Brooklyn, bordering Brooklyn Heights, provides convenient access to waterfront attractions, as well as the diverse shops and restaurants along Court and Smith streets, and the serene Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Bridge parks.
The sale of this meticulously updated Brooklyn brownstone by Gary Ross and Claudia Solti underscores a thoughtful blend of historic charm and modern luxury, reflecting their personal vision for an ideal living environment.