Dr. James Watson, Jack Richards, Director of Buildings and Grounds, and Bill Grover, architect inspected Ballybung during construction in 1994.

The new position of President precipitated the building of Ballybung, a residence suitable for large-scale entertaining, in 1992. By late spring of 1995, the Watsons were settled in their new home.

Ballybung (bungs were stoppers used on barrels manufactured locally) is located at the north end of the campus nearly exactly where the de Forest house, Nethermuir, had stood. The magnificent site is dominated by this classical Regency style home which was inspired by the late 16th century farmhouses outside Venice, Italy.

The Connecticut firm Centerbrook built this square-shaped structure with a skylight-topped central hall, creamy, pumpkin-colored stucco-like exterior, basement windows with marvelous views of the harbor, and living space for visiting scientists.