$10.6 Million NYC Townhouse for Sale by ‘Hunger Games’ Director
I still remember the first time I saw a Brooklyn brownstone that made me stop in my tracks, and let me tell you—Gary Ross’s Cobble Hill townhouse hits that same note. The director behind The Hunger Games and Seabiscuit isn’t just selling a house; he’s parting with a home that he and his wife meticulously reimagined over the past five years. Priced at $10.6 million, this isn’t just a listing—it’s a glimpse into how Hollywood meets historic New York charm.
Walking through the details, you can almost feel the life they built there: a garden where kids could play, a theater for friends to gather, and spaces designed for both intimate dinners and big celebrations. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live in a home that balances history, luxury, and lifestyle, this townhouse is the kind of story that makes you want to peek behind the doors.
Background: Gary Ross and the Home’s History
When I think about why this townhouse grabs attention, it’s not just the $10.6 million price tag—it’s the story behind it. Gary Ross, the mind behind The Hunger Games, Seabiscuit, and Big, bought this Cobble Hill brownstone for $5.4 million about five years ago. Knowing his work, it makes sense that he approached the home the same way he approaches a film: with vision and purpose.
The house itself has history built into its walls. Constructed in the late 1850s for merchant Samuel Richard St. John, it’s a classic Cobble Hill brownstone with a character that modern homes just can’t replicate. But Ross and his wife, Claudia Solti, didn’t stop at preservation—they transformed it to match how they actually live. They added a private garden, a wellness space, and even a theater, blending lifestyle and luxury seamlessly.
As Ross said about the renovation, “We wanted a house built around how we actually live: dinner parties, films with friends, kids in the garden. We went a little nuts, but we’re so happy with how it turned out.” You can really feel that vision come to life when you walk through the rooms. For anyone curious about Brooklyn’s historic Cobble Hill neighborhood, it’s easy to see why this home stands out—not just for its design, but for the life it’s built around.
Property Details: Interior & Layout
Let me walk you through the townhouse room by room — not like a dry listing, but the way I’d describe a place that actually feels like home.
This Cobble Hill townhouse spans six levels and roughly 6,400 square feet of thoughtfully designed space, wide enough at about 23 feet to balance classic proportions with modern flow. It doesn’t feel like a box; it feels like a home that unfolds as you move through it.
The parlor floor pulls you in with elegant herringbone wood floors, a clean linear fireplace, and 12‑foot ceilings that echo both history and scale. From there, steel‑framed glass doors lead you into the formal dining room — and you can immediately picture dinner parties that extend into the night.
A sleek dumbwaiter connects this space to the garden‑level kitchen, where premium appliances, custom cabinetry, a large eat‑in island, and a walk‑in pantry anchor daily life and entertaining alike. Step through the kitchen and you’re on the terrace with a fire pit, overlooking a landscaped garden that feels surprisingly private for Brooklyn.
Seeing homes like this reminds me of Antonio Brown’s Florida mansion, which also emphasizes open layouts and spaces built for entertaining guests.
Upstairs are five bedrooms and seven bathrooms — each guest room with its own bath and walk‑in closet — and a primary suite that occupies an entire floor. You’ve got dual closets, a marble bath with dual vanities and a dreamy shower, plus a den with a fireplace that feels like a personal retreat. The uppermost level is a surprise: a sky‑lit living room, an intimate kitchen with brick accents, a study, and an enclosed terrace — perfect for coffee at sunrise or winding down in the evening.
And if you think that’s enough, the basement is basically an entertainment complex: a gym, sauna, and a soundproof movie theater with tiered seating — an obvious nod to how this home was tailored for lifestyle, wellness, and fun. All of this reflects a meticulous redesign that blends historic bones with contemporary needs, as noted in Robb Report’s coverage of the listing.
Neighborhood & Location Advantages
What’s equally compelling is where this home sits — on a leafy stretch right on the border of Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights, two of Brooklyn’s most desirable enclaves. This part of the borough has that timeless feel: tree‑lined streets, historic brick homes, and a sense of community that’s rare in big cities.
You aren’t just buying a house; you’re buying access to great daily life. A few blocks over, Court and Smith Streets are lined with restaurants, cafés, and boutiques where locals really live and eat. Parks like Cobble Hill Park and Brooklyn Bridge Park are perfect for weekend strolls or morning runs, and the proximity to major transit links makes commuting into Manhattan surprisingly easy compared to other luxury enclaves.
Just like Cobble Hill has its charm in Brooklyn, luxury neighborhoods like Bel-Air have their own allure, as seen in Quincy Jones’ Bel-Air mansion. It’s the kind of neighborhood that feels like home from the first walk you take — not just a place on a map, but a real community with character.
Design & Lifestyle Highlights
What really makes this townhouse stand out isn’t just the price tag—it’s how the space is designed to live beautifully. You can feel it the moment you step inside: the home was built for entertaining, for family, and for those quiet moments that make a house a true sanctuary.
Imagine hosting a movie night in a soundproof theater, unwinding in a spa-like basement, or enjoying dinner in a layout that flows naturally from the dining room to the kitchen and lounge. The private garden and multiple terraces give your kids or guests room to roam, while the indoor lounges provide spaces to relax, work, or read without feeling cramped.
If you enjoy seeing unique luxury homes and design inspirations, there’s a WhatsApp channel that shares similar rare listings—it’s like getting a peek inside some of Brooklyn’s most stylish spaces.
The home also embraces modern luxury in subtle ways: a marble bath that feels like a mini retreat, skylit upper floors that bring in natural light, and a fire pit on the terrace for chilly Brooklyn evenings. Yet, all this modern comfort doesn’t erase the historic charm—the brick walls, high ceilings, and classic townhouse proportions remain, giving the house a balance of old-world character and contemporary design. This mix of historic charm and modern upgrades reminds me of Paul Anka’s California chateau-style mansion, where classic architecture meets luxury living.
If you want a closer look at what makes luxury townhouses like this unique, Architectural Digest’s guide to Brooklyn brownstones provides an amazing perspective on blending historic charm with modern upgrades: Architectural Digest Brooklyn Brownstones.
Key Takeaways & Insights
Looking back at Gary Ross’s Cobble Hill townhouse, a few things really stand out. First, the property isn’t just about size or price—it’s about thoughtful design and lifestyle. Six levels, 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, and spaces like a private garden, spa, and movie theater make it a home built for living, entertaining, and enjoying every corner of Brooklyn.
Location matters just as much as the house itself. Being on the border of Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights gives you historic charm, parks, restaurants, and easy access to the rest of the city. And with the price doubling from $5.4 million to $10.6 million in five years, it also reflects the strength of the Brooklyn luxury townhouse market.
Finally, the renovation blends modern comfort with classic architecture—a reminder that a home can be both stylish and practical without losing its soul. Whether you’re a potential buyer, a design enthusiast, or just a fan of celebrity real estate, there’s plenty to learn here about creating spaces that truly feel like home.
I’d love to hear your thoughts—what part of this townhouse do you wish you could bring into your own home? Share your ideas in the comments below, and don’t forget to check out more tips on designing spaces that feel luxurious yet liveable at Build Like New.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on publicly available sources and listings. Prices, features, and availability may change over time. Readers should verify details independently before making any real estate decisions.
