37 Duneway Avenue
1930s Seaview Classic with Heart, History & Guest House
Tucked away in the heart of Seaview, this rare and charming 1930s beach home is steeped in history, character, and stories that only time can tell.
With its exposed brick, original cabinetry, and handcrafted wood accents throughout, 37 Duneway is the kind of place that feels like a page out of a novel - nostalgic, grounded, and full of soul.
Step into a massive living room with original hardwood floors, wood-burning fireplace, and cedar paneling, flooded with natural light from every angle.
The kitchen has been lovingly updated with new appliances, a six-burner gas stove, and new windows, while still preserving the warmth and craftsmanship of the home’s original build. Formal dining feels timeless beneath the soft glow of a Japanese grasscloth-wrapped fixture, surrounded by vintage charm.
The main level features a cozy bedroom with sliding doors out to the yard, and a half bathroom, renovated post-Sandy with thoughtful finishes.
Upstairs, you’ll find three additional bedrooms and two full baths - including a primary suite with French doors that open to a private sun deck. Every room is unique, and the massive hallway closets offer abundant storage for beach gear and beyond.
Step outside to discover the ultimate Fire Island lifestyle: an outdoor living room with a built-in bar, outdoor shower, a lush yard ready for gatherings, and a guest house that invites multi-generational living, creative retreat space, or additional rental income.
As a Seaview homeowner, you’ll have access to the community’s private pool and tennis courts, - a hidden world just for locals. Whether you're ready to make this your personal summer sanctuary or join the island’s vibrant vacation rental scene, 37 Duneway is a rare chance to own a home with history, soul, and room to dream.
Additional Information
- Lot Size: 80 x 100
- Flood Insurance: $2,160 & $3,300 (Cottage)
- Water: Hot Water Heater
- Heating: Electric
- Cooling: Window/Wall Units
- 200 Amps Electric
- Year Built: Late 1930's
- Living Area: 2,230 sqft
- Taxes: $9,598
- HOA: $6,177
How to Schedule an Appointment
To schedule a private appointment text or call Sydney at (516) 727-7219 or Susan at 516-445-4520.
How to Make an Offer on this Home
Cash and financing accepted. To make an offer on this home, text or email your proof of funds or commitment letter to 516-727-7219 or sydney@luxuryfireislandhomes.com with your offer price and terms.
Exclusively Listed by Sydney McCoy and Susan McCoy Luxury Fire Island Homes
Four Divorces, One Lasting Love: Seaview’s Most Storied Home Is for Sale
Some homes have history. This one has legend.
Tucked away on a quiet corner of Seaview sits 37 Duneway, better known to locals as The Gables. Built in the late 1930s and first owned by Walter W. Weismann, a powerful early industrialist, the home was acquired under a false name to bypass discriminatory restrictions that once barred Jewish families from owning in Seaview. It didn’t just mark a quiet act of defiance; it became one of the most iconic homes on Fire Island.
The estate spanned multiple lots and even required barge loads of topsoil just to plant its gardens.
Mr. Weismann imported not only plants, but an entire post office by boat, transforming it into an entertainment space rumored to house his mistress. Formal dinners were the norm, with white-gloved servers, red Formica countertops, silk-tossed throw pillows, and Japanese grasscloth wallpaper setting the scene.
But The Gables doesn’t just boast architectural charm - it carries neighborhood folklore.
In the decades that followed, it passed through the hands of several owners: a world-famous photographer and his ballerina wife, a children’s book illustrator and her scientist husband, and others whose names may have faded, but whose marital endings are still remembered. Each couple lasted no more than seven years before parting ways, giving the home a reputation that was whispered about for years. Beautiful. Iconic. And maybe just a little cursed.
Then came the Kossoffs. Arlene and Dick purchased the home after renting in the area for 14 years. Before they finalized the sale, they had an honest conversation about their marriage. A friend even walked through the house, ringing a small bell in each room to "clear the energy." That was nearly forty years ago. Whatever was in the walls, it seems to have lifted as Arlene and Dick are still happily married.
Today, The Gables is ready for its next chapter. With historic character, lush grounds, and timeless elegance, this isn’t just a house - it’s an heirloom. A story waiting for its next storyteller.
And perhaps, its next great love story.