Robert Downey Jr.’s ‘wacky’ windmill home in the Hamptons was once a playhouse

Robert Downey Jr., 61, has developed a reputation for his unique property portfolio, from his $13.4 million Malibu home with animal enclosures and a concrete clubhouse to his East Hampton windmill cottage built around 1885.

The latter began as a playhouse with uninterrupted views of the church spire opposite, but underwent a makeover at the hands of Joe Nahem and the team at Fox-Nahem Associates after Robert and his wife, Susan, purchased the home in 2017 for a reported $11.9 million.

Taking Architectural Digest on a tour, the Iron Man actor and the film producer – who worked on several of the same films as her husband, including Sherlock Holmes – showcased some key areas of their home, which they share with their two young children, Exton, 14, and Avri, 11, and their two cats. While some might consider the property “wacky”, Robert explained that their desire was to find somewhere unique that worked for their family.

“We wanted something we haven’t seen a million times. We didn’t set out to do something conspicuously wacky. We just enjoy a bit of whimsy and fun. And we definitely don’t like boring,” Robert explained about the décor. 

Far from boring, the interiors feature a sunken living room at the base of the windmill with a huge wraparound fireplace wall by ceramic artist Peter Lane. At the top of the tower sits Susan’s office, while artwork adds character to the home, with The Avengers star’s own design in the bathroom and a giant praying mantis statue in the front garden.

Proving the property is not just a piece of art, but also functional, Robert jokingly shared a fleeting glimpse of the “why is everything stuffed in here” closet, while his wife opened the doors to her purple bathroom, where children’s toys lined the tub.

© Architectural Digest

Once you travel beyond the doors, which all feature laminated signs reading: “Don’t let the cats out”, the couple have a swimming pool surrounded by decking and a freestanding poolside pavilion, where the family spend much of their time.

“We now spend the whole day out there, hanging out with the kids and our friends,” Susan told the publication.

© Architectural Digest

While the finished result is impressive, Nahem shared an honest insight into the transformation process, which took just six weeks.

“The schedule was insane,” he began. “Robert and Susan spend a lot of the year on the road, so they’re very sensitive about their own homes feeling genuinely homey. We had less than two months to completely refurnish the entire house, down to the sheets, towels, and flatware, so they could enjoy it that Christmas.”