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A Songwriter’s Summer: Rufus Wainwright’s Montauk Cottage Hits the Hamptons Rental Market
The musician’s quietly storied Hither Hills retreat—once connected to songwriting legend Irving Berlin—offers a rare kind of Hamptons luxury: history, charm, and a piano by the sea.
In Hither Hills, a tranquil area between breezy dunes and Montauk’s artistic history, there’s a cozy house at 36 Jay Road for rent with a musical vibe. It’s owned by Rufus Wainwright, the pop-opera artist known for his powerful voice in theaters and passionate tunes. His Montauk place, in contrast, is quite simple.
This isn’t your typical Hamptons showpiece or modern mansion. It’s a cute, old-fashioned cottage featuring two bedrooms and bathrooms that dates back to the 1950s, reminiscent of a beach house designed for relaxed summers. What’s extra special is that Irving Berlin, the famous composer, owned it before Wainwright bought it.
Today, you can rent this cottage for about $25,000 a month, making it a unique summer getaway with a touch of celebrity charm.
A Beach House Story
The house is located in Montauk’s Hither Hills, valued for its quiet streets near the beach. The house is one of the special Leisurama homes.
Back in the early 1960s, Macy’s sold these ready-made beach houses. It was a strange moment in retail history where you could buy suburban homes with your purses. The result was a group of small, modern cottages meant for easygoing summers by the sea.
Wainwright’s place still feels that way. The inside has a vintage style: a mix of old textures that feels very natural. Sunlight streams into the living area and a sunroom that’s ideal for quiet mornings.
The outside area has a deck and a fenced yard. There’s also an outdoor shower.
A Musician’s Montauk
Montauk has always been a haven for artists. For years, the area attracted artists and musicians due to its privacy.
Wainwright, who writes music that feels larger than life, seems to have picked Montauk for its simplicity. His house is personal.
The studio in the garage contains a piano that Wainwright once owned. This gives renters a chance to feel the musical spirit of the house.
In the Hamptons, where houses are very large, this cottage feels different. There’s no giant pool, no chef’s kitchen, and no fancy driveway. What you get is a small house by the ocean with a piano and a history of songwriting from Tin Pan Alley to modern opera.
For the right renter, this is more than just a place to stay. It’s a place to vanish into summer for a while.
And maybe write some music.