James Brooks Studio: February Blizzard Partially Collapses Historic James Brooks Studio

Photo: Scott Bluedorn

Historic James Brooks Studio Collapses

following Winter Blizzard

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Brooks-Park Arts and Nature Center reports the partial collapse of the historic James Brooks Studio, the former home and studios of artists James Brooks and Charlotte Park. The collapse occurred following the February 22–23 blizzard that brought heavy snow to Long Island. The site, a local historic landmark, is owned by the Town of East Hampton and has not been inhabited since 2010.

A 2023 assessment by Jan Hird Pokorny, Inc., commissioned by the Town, highlighted serious structural deficiencies to this iconic modernist building that featured an industrial “sawtooth” roof with north-facing clerestory windows: the original wooden roof framing was undersized and weakened by chronic water infiltration and a non-original supplemental steel support had failed. The absence of regular maintenance to the complicated roof assembly was also indicated as an issue in this report. An attached one-story storage room had already partially collapsed.

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The recommendations made for stabilization were not implemented by the Town following this assessment.

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The roof’s failure during the snowstorm has now completely exposed the interior. In addition to being designated a local historical landmark in 2014, the Brooks-Park Home and Studios was listed as an endangered historic site by the National Trust for Historic Preservation<https://savingplaces.org/stories/11-most-endangered-historic-places-for-2022#.YoGZYNrMJPY> (Eleven Most Endangered Places); the Preservation League of New York State<https://www.preservenys.org/blog/seven-to-save-spotlight-james-brooks-charlotte-park-home-amp-studios> (Seven to Save), and Preservation Long Island<https://preservationlongisland.org/ehp2021/> (Endangered Historic Places) between 2021 and 2022. A chain-link fence installed around 2023 helped to limit access and deter further vandalism. A similar fence has not been erected around the residence, which continues to be breached and vandalized. Two smaller structures, the Park Studio and a Guest Cottage remain stable.

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Public trail access remains open to this Community Preserve acquired through the

Community Preservation Fund in 2013.

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Brooks-Park Arts and Nature Center, a 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in 2022, seeks a license agreement to partner with the Town of East Hampton for the site’s preservation, stabilization, and interpretation, celebrating the legacies of Brooks and Park and ensuring the property’s protection for the community and future generations.

“We are relieved that no one has been harmed,” said Scott Bluedorn, board member of Brooks-Park Arts and Nature Center and long-time advocate for the site who discovered the damage on Sunday, March 1. “Given the site’s international significance—as the former home and studios of James Brooks and Charlotte Park, its status as a local historic landmark, and its recognition on regional, state, and national preservation lists—we are especially committed to working collaboratively with the Town of East Hampton to explore options for stabilization, restoration, and community use of this important site.”

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.