Center for Creativity at SUNY Stonybrook Southhampton

Southampton, NY

Southampton Hall (built 1896-1898) was originally commissioned as the residence of textile magnate Albert Brigham Claflin, Esq. and his family. Situated on a 60-acre site overlooking Shinnecock Bay, Southampton Hall was the first major commission of architect Grosvenor Atterbury. Later repurposed as a summer resort, the Hall was later adapted for academic use. Vacant since 2007, the State University of New York sought to evaluate the building’s potential reuse as “The Center for Creativity”, an arts-focused program supporting SUNY’s Southampton Arts program.

LSA served as Historic Preservation Consultant to Marble Fairbanks Architects (MFA) for the preparation of a feasibility study for the adaptive use of Southampton Hall. As part of a multi-disciplinary team, LSA performed targeted research; evaluated existing conditions; and prepared a conditions assessment report with itemized recommendations for the retention and/or restoration of exterior and interior character-defining features. Although not formally determined eligible for listing on the State and/or National Registers of Historic Places, LSA evaluated the building’s eligibility under National Park Service criteria. LSA also reviewed and provided comments on MFA’s conceptual design to assess compliance with The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and outlined a scope of restorative work for cost-estimating purposes. The proposed work is subject to review by the New York State Historic Preservation Office in accordance with Section 14.09 of the State’s Historic Preservation Act.

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