For most of his career, internationally acclaimed portrait photographer Jonas Fredwall Karlsson has stood behind the camera, photographing world leaders, celebrated athletes, entrepreneurs, and cultural icons for publications including Vanity Fair, Vogue, GQ, and National Geographic, as well as global brands like Rolex and Apple.
For nearly a decade, however, his creative focus shifted from capturing remarkable subjects to restoring one.
Now Karlsson is listing his painstakingly renovated 1882 Gothic Victorian in Sag Harbor Village for $9.3 million.
Represented by Erica Grossman of Douglas Elliman and Lori MacGarva of William Raveis, the 144-year-old residence reflects the same attention to proportion, light, and craftsmanship that has defined the photographer’s internationally recognized body of work.
One of Sag Harbor’s architectural treasures
Located at 37 John Street, the home occupies one of Sag Harbor Village’s most architecturally significant streets, surrounded by beautifully preserved turn-of-the-century residences.
Its distinctive silhouette remains instantly recognizable more than a century after it was built, with steep gables, deep overhanging eaves, oversized Victorian windows, decorative detailing, and the signature turret that has long defined the home’s character.
A restoration guided by restraint
Rather than reinventing the residence, Karlsson approached the project with unusual restraint.
Original architectural details were carefully preserved wherever possible, allowing the home’s nineteenth-century craftsmanship to remain the focal point while discreetly introducing the comforts expected of a contemporary luxury residence.
The result feels authentic rather than reimagined — a historic home that has simply been given the care needed to thrive for another century.
Light fills every room
It’s perhaps no surprise that a photographer would be drawn to natural light.
Throughout the approximately 2,500-square-foot home, soaring ceilings and oversized Victorian windows flood the interiors with sunlight, accentuating original details while creating bright, welcoming living spaces.
The quality of light changes throughout the day, giving each room its own distinct character.
Historic charm meets modern living
Behind the preserved exterior, the home has been thoughtfully updated for everyday life.
The current layout includes three bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and a powder room, with renovated interiors that balance period craftsmanship and modern functionality. Every improvement was carefully considered to complement the home’s architectural heritage rather than compete with it.
A backyard retreat in the heart of the village
The grounds are equally impressive.
Set on nearly half an acre — an increasingly rare parcel within Sag Harbor Village — the landscaped property offers a remarkable sense of privacy.
With a swimming pool featuring an automatic cover
At its center is a 45-by-12-foot heated gunite swimming pool equipped with an automatic cover, creating a resort-like retreat just moments from the village’s restaurants, galleries, and waterfront.
A detached garage further enhances the property’s practicality without diminishing its historic appeal.
Already approved for its next chapter
One of the home’s greatest assets may be what comes next.
Approved permits allow the next owner to significantly expand the estate, increasing the main residence from approximately 2,500 square feet to roughly 4,000 square feet while growing from three bedrooms to as many as five or six.
The plans also include a detached 585-square-foot studio and a 200-square-foot pool house, creating what would become one of the village’s rare private compounds while preserving the original home’s historic identity.
A rare opportunity in Sag Harbor
Historic homes often require buyers to choose between architectural authenticity and modern convenience.
This property offers both, while also presenting the uncommon opportunity to shape its future. Whether enjoyed exactly as Karlsson has restored it or expanded into a larger family estate, the residence represents one of the more compelling historic offerings currently available in Sag Harbor Village.
Location, history and Victorian appeal
As listing agent Erica Grossman notes, opportunities to acquire a home that combines more than 140 years of history with meticulous restoration and significant future potential are exceptionally uncommon — and this Gothic Victorian stands as a fitting example of exactly that.
“This extraordinary home has been an iconic part of Sag Harbor’s history for more than 140 years, and Jonas has honored its legacy with extraordinary vision and care,” Grossman says.
“Every detail of the restoration was approached with remarkable craftsmanship, seamlessly blending modern luxury with the home’s timeless architectural character and historic charm. Opportunities like this are exceptionally rare, a home that offers such rich history, impeccable design, and a premier location in the heart of Sag Harbor Village.”
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