[1][2] In the late 1890s, the building was sold to Dr. Edward L. Keyes, a prominent New York urologist and business associate of the son of U.S. President Martin van Buren.

Freeman virtually rebuilt the house, more than doubling its size, adding a large living wing, a sweeping two-story staircase and an imposing colonnaded portico, while the walls were refinished with a facade of Indiana limestone.

[1][3] While the sisters owned the property, they agreed to sell the triangular piece of front lawn upon which the windmill sits to the town of Water Mill for $1.

Another interesting fact about this property is that President Theodore Roosevelt's (1858–1919) favorite horse, "General Ruxton", is buried on the grounds.

In "2001 and 2002, Villa Maria hosted the Hampton Designer Showcase, an event that raise money for remedial work on the facilities";[1] unfortunately these events did not raise enough to sustain the large property and Villa Maria was put up for sale again in the Spring of 2005, when it was sold to Nine West founder shoe manufacturer Vincent Camuto and his wife Louise for $35 million.

In addition, the grounds were completely rehabilitated by Edmund Hollander Landscape Architects with a rose garden, new dock, and trees, hedges, and fencing along the Montauk Highway.

Villa Maria is an eclectic-style building, incorporating elements of Beaux-Arts, Neoclassical and Colonial Revival design that sits on nearly 15 acres of land.

The main entrance is dominated by a grand Colonial-style portico, supported on four tall columns which rise to the height of the second floor.