Refuge Redux
Estate building outside of the established villages and hamlets is not a new phenomenon, but the reasons behind it have changed. These days, it is driven by the scarcity of prime building lots on the one hand, and helped by an increase in the number and quality of roads on the other. In the past it was a more personal and atypical decision—and not nearly as common as it is now.
Architecture: Conservative, gracious and stately. Nearly 80 years old, it is the product of a time that was very good for estate quality construction.
Site: A remarkable 10 acre refuge with 600 feet of sandy beach on Greater Peconic Bay as well as dockage on Red Cedar Pond. But where exactly is Red Cedar Pond?
The inside word: This must have a relatively remote area in the 1920s when this estate was built. Even now, being a bit west of the Shinnecock Canal might as well be west of the Mississippi for many Hamptons regulars. It’s an unusual listing, but we think there must be at least a few buyers as adventurous as the original owners—and willing to spend $6 million.
Easy Dwelling
Over the years we’ve seen lots of pleasant, conventional houses, places where it wouldn’t be fair to say anything negative, but where we couldn’t work up a single goosebump. Because these houses avoid extreme statements, they often have the most appeal for the affluent classes when they come up for sale. And the better ones have lasting power.
Architecture: Enough thought went into the shapes and massing and details to avoid blandness, although the round window seems a bit of a cliché now. The elevations are satisfying, congenial and somehow good-natured.
Site: Georgica Road, though not very far south of the highway in East Hampton, 1.2 acres with pool and pool house.
The inside word: Harmonious and proper overall. We found some ceilings too high for the proportion of the rooms, but the total package, with an indoor sun porch as well an outdoor roofed porch, is quite cheerful and comfy. Offered at $2.4 million.
Moving Experience
We know people are mobile. In the Hamptons everyone seems to be upwardly mobile of course. If they are not, they are probably off to, well, the Jersey shore or something like that. But who expects houses to be mobile? Yet it happens all the time, and has for centuries. Houses, especially historic ones, get moved around to better locations, or at least locations where they are more likely to be preserved.
Architecture: Authentic eighteenth century farmhouse. The additions and renovations are sensitively handled.
Site: The area between Mitchell’s Lane and Butter Lane in Bridgehampton was once almost entirely potato fields, so the great majority of houses there are new. This property is one of a handful of exceptions.
The inside word: “Old Woodruff Farm” as the house is called, was moved from its original location to a one acre lot facing the agricultural reserve of a 1980s subdivision. The house, with a separate guesthouse, pool and additional building lot, is offered for $2.995 million.
Oriented Correctly
Feng shui seems to be all around us these days—in the air, if you will. We don’t know if this Japanese styled house was built with feng shui guidance, and we don’t know where it is positioned in the universe. But it’s in the right spot in East Hampton.
Architecture: The broker describes it as Japanese, but we’d say it more Eurasian than pure Asian. Good thing too. Most buyers we know will want the Western luxuries along with the Eastern serenity.
Site: Even if you are not pagoda crazy, you’ll love the location: one acre on East Hampton’s Highway Behind the Pond, a totally upscale street that winds through the Maidstone Club golf course to the beach.
The inside word: Location, of course, is the primary selling point. But the house is also interesting, unusual and quite attractive. The Asian theme is delicate and restrained and does not overwhelm. For $7.65 million, you can live in total harmony with your environment, surrounded by good, if expensive, energy.