Further Luxury
We witness an endless search for excellence in Hamptons real estate: impressive space and quality, impeccable location, no luxury overlooked. As a result houses have gotten bigger and better, while the vernacular and the quirky have mostly disappeared. Those in pursuit of perfection should be zeroing in on this very large house on Further Lane—for sale at eight and a half million dollars.
Architecture: Pure Hamptons, late 20th century traditional, executed by a noted practitioner of this style, Francis Fleetwood. Working with a well-established vocabulary of architectural forms and materials and carefully deploying trim and ornament, the architect has achieved a pleasing and coherent result.
Site: Definitely on the most wanted list. Two acres on Further Lane with deeded path to ocean, close to Maidstone Club. Pool, terrace, extensive landscaping.
Condition: Nearly 9,000 square feet of unabashed opulence, with state-of-the-art music, lighting, security and nearly everything else short of a robot.
The inside word: It’s a great property although some rebellious thinkers may find it almost too correct. We found a welcome dash of individuality here and a tad of surprise there—like floors of antique pine and well-crafted paneling and cabinetry—that add appeal and distinction beyond its unmistakable lavishness.
Pond to Long For
We love Long Pond. It’s the closest we’ll ever get to a fjord in the Hamptons. Going back a few years, it was a picture perfect swath of blue water with only farmland abutting its bucolic shoreline. Much has changed, but we still love it. The grounds of the Hampton Classic hug its southern point. Two Trees, site of Bridgehampton Polo, stands to the west. And lovely houses and horse farms line the shores.
Architecture: A rather formal main house, handsome and imposing. You’d guess this style would be contextually wrong, but we think it has right amount of stateliness and tradition for serious horse farm country.
Site: Eight and a half acres, with adequate shoreline for waterfront cocktails or keeping a small boat, but not enough for expansive views. Property seems ripe for further development, preferably with equestrian facilities.
The inside word: Nice combination of land, location and house. The price of $4,500,000 continues a trend in this location toward parity with south-of-the-highway, estate area prices. It would have been unthinkable a few years ago, but we’re galloping our way there, in million dollar increments.
Sense of Belonging
Real estate has microclimates just as viniculture does. Experienced real estate brokers can identify a property location by the architectural style, the age, the trees and landscaping and a myriad of small clues. This 1901 gambrel roofed beauty clearly belongs on one of two village lanes in East Hampton.
Architecture: A traditional shingle house expressive of its time and place. Houses like this have a remarkable lucidity in their original form. Maybe it’s a cultural value we have assimilated, but they seem so much as they should be that the only things that don’t ring true are later additions. This house has been updated but not tampered with very much.
Site: The anticipated village acre with fine mature landscaping, hedged pool area and flower gardens.
The inside word: Conventional keeps coming to mind—but in a most positive way. Handsome house, excellent location, right amenities, nice medium size—four bedrooms, three and a half baths, three fireplaces—graced with age and care. A house that’s had a happy life and that perhaps justifies its ambitious price of $3,300,000.
Amazing Grace Estate
The broker calls this a European Villa. In plain talk that means a more ordered façade and more symmetry than our locally derived styles, and stucco instead of shingles. And, indeed, this house presents a fine-looking, well-proportioned front to the visitor.
Architecture: An East End spin on recognized architectural elements found not only in Europe but in many affluent American towns. It’s a look you expect on estate area lanes, but with the proliferation of new construction we seem to be hatching new little estate areas all over the Hamptons.
Site: Four acres located in the Grace Estate in East Hampton’s Northwest Woods. It’s near the bay but far from everything else—which can be a selling point for privacy seekers and a drawback for others.
The inside word: There is not a Spartan impulse within walking distance of this property. Being grand is the goal, and this house succeeds with 7,000 square feet, eight bedrooms and baths, six fireplaces, pond-like pool and spa, tennis and putting green. The price of $3,490,000 is consistent with the goal.