Club Med
Here is a reminder to all those conformists building and buying immense new houses derived from, and sometimes merely imitating, the late nineteenth century shingle style. Even in the early twentieth century, some people began departing from the norm. The most notable example might be the Devon Colony, five Mediterranean Revival mansions built between 1908 and 1910 on 50 hilly acres overlooking Gardiner’s Bay.
Architecture: A highly refined example of the Mediterranean style of the period. We wonder if this European approach could have been the Rennert house of its generation. After 95 years, it looks great and definitely fits right in.
Site: The setting is private and spectacular—18 acres with the main house, cottage and garage. It is majestic and, as the far as the Hamptons go, incomparable.
The inside word: The hills between the ocean and the bay in Amagansett are now landscaped and lush. But a century ago they resembled the windswept hills above the Cote d’Azure. We wonder if the Mediterranean inspiration came from that. This is certifiably upper crust and unalloyed, well-mannered estate quality. The Devon Colony was built by a clubby, cliquish set, but times change and this property is available to anyone with $16.5 million to spend.
Payne Relief
The evolution of Payne’s Creek from a pristine estuary where we used to dig for shellfish to a manicured neighborhood of expensive weekend homes could be a paradigm of life in the Hamptons. Fortunately, zoning laws and conservation efforts have kept the wetlands intact and newer houses well back from the shoreline. If no longer quite as close to nature, the creek is still a beautiful and nearly pristine spot.
Architecture: The shingle house is straightforward and pleasant though hardly original. The repeated gables give it a nice rhythm and a second story porch is quite handsome. We like the fact that it is not assertive about its style.
Site: An expansive 6.5 acres, with frontage on Payne’s Creek, leading to Upper Sag Harbor Cove, with house, pool, tennis and dock.
The inside word: Noyac keeps moving up in the real estate pecking order, and expensive estates are nearly as common as the modest, older cottages. This is a good family house with potential activities for every generation. We’d let the kids swim or sail, and we’d settle down in the shade of the porch on a summer afternoon with an Iris Murdoch novel. Offered at $7.9 million.
Added Value
Our earliest houses had box-like shapes, what we now call saltboxes. With time and increasing wealth, houses evolved into several joined boxes, of more sophisticated shapes, seen in the New England “added-on” look. This was practical since homeowners were able to add space without disrupting the existing structure too much. It was also aesthetically pleasing as the varying shapes, materials and rooflines melded into interesting compositions.
Architecture: Going against the tide of shingled fabulousness, this home refers more to New England forms but with an urbane and sophisticated approach.
Site: Just outside East Hampton village, but close enough to not feel like the colonies. On 1.5 acres, well landscaped and private, on a prestigious cul-de-sac road.
The inside word: Three connected buildings make for an intriguing interior layout. The central two-story main room has mirror image staircases that split at the landings so that each of the four upstairs guest rooms has its own private stair. With a total of 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, and 4 fireplaces, there is a cozy spot for everyone. The luxe outside area includes bluestone patios, fireplace, pool and pergola. Offered at $2.250 million.
Upwardly Mobile
Houses, designed out loud, and with extra chromosomes, are very much with us these days. They have a statement to make and, there is no holding back. This kind of brash attitude can go either way. We admire the boldness and energy when done with skill. Too much of a good thing is wonderful, as Mae West said. Or we cringe when it is merely shrill.
Architecture: This house design sets its sights high—literally. Everything about it is looking up, from the tall French doors and clerestory, to the assertive gable lunging through the roof, to the mill-inspired tower.
Site: Solid Southampton estate area location on Wyandanch Lane on one acre.
The inside word: This house is decidedly optimistic, reaching out and up toward the stars. It is an impressive and graceful composition, better than most recent construction, and it is in a fine location. The price of $6.995 may seem an upward reach of a different sort for some buyers, but as we said, optimism is the operating principle here.
[sidebar]
This is our last issue of the season, and while I am relieved not to have weekly deadlines, I will miss the joy and the glee of commenting on Hamptons real estate. I’ll continue my wine column in the East Hampton Star. And I’ll be working with my editor, Jason Oliver Nixon, and my publisher, Jason Binn, writing for Gotham over the winter. I hope to be back on these pages for my eighth summer next year.