THE CHARLES SHOUP HOUSE
Nea Koroni, Messinia, Greece
An Extraordinary
Neoclassical House & Gardens
The Charles Shoup House, located near the southern tip of Greece, was designed and built by American painter and architect Charles Shoup (1926-2024). After arriving in Greece in 1952, Shoup fell in love with the raw beauty of the Peloponnese and spent the rest of his life there. Inspired by classical architecture and surrounded by sweeping views of the countryside, sea, and Taygetus mountains, the property is now being restored by the Charles Shoup Non-Profit Civil Organization as a future destination for cultural events, retreats, creative gatherings, and meaningful stays.
An Architectural Gem
Shoup lived in Greece for more than 65 years. He arrived in 1952 after living in Paris, Venice and Rome. When he visited the Peloponnese region in southern Greece, he immediately fell in love with the raw beauty of the area and spent the rest of his life there. In the last years of his life, he established a non-profit foundation which now owns the house and gardens with a mandate from Shoup to support the arts, architecture and culture in the local area and in Greece as a whole.
The house is an architectural gem. Among Shoup’s favorite buildings were the Pantheon in Rome and the Villa Rotunda near Vicenza by the renowned Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, and their influence on this house is unmistakable. The dining veranda and terraces have a stunning view across the bay to the often-snow-capped Taygetus mountains of the Mani. The combined effect of the intricately detailed house, the gardens that surround it, and the remarkable vistas is truly breathtaking.
A Vision for Culture, Creativity & Connection
The foundation, organized under Greek law as the Charles Shoup Non-Profit Civil Organization, is currently undertaking various repairs and renovations to the property. When completed, the property will be available for a variety of uses, including cultural events, destination weddings, fashion and film shoots, and vacation rentals.
Eventually the foundation will develop programs to support artistic and cultural activities at the core of its mission. The foundation expects to partner with other organizations and individuals to develop a variety of activities - possibly including artist retreats, symposia for small groups at the highest levels of their respective fields, and other activities that will support the arts. In this beautiful, quiet and inspiring setting, important ideas can be born, distilled, discussed and shared, and meaningful connections can be made.
