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Paper mogul and art collector Peter Brant and supermodel wife Stephanie Seymour have sold their oceanfront Sagaponack house in an off-market deal. The deal closed January 15 this year, just two days before the sad death of their son Harry. The sales price for 159 Trees Lane, on Gibson Beach, was $26 million.

The couple purchased the 2.6-acre property in 2006 for $6.1 million. It included a pond as well as a comparatively modest house built in 1994, with 4 bedrooms and 5 baths in 2,668 feet. (According to Zillow.)

The Brants used to be fixtures on the summer social scene in the Hamptons, especially regarding polo, but seem to be spending their time in Florida now. They purchased an historic home in Palm Beach last year for $46.75 million.

About ten years ago, we were putting together a book proposal about famous and not-so-famous people’s love for Montauk. We wrote to Bernard Madoff in prison, and he wrote back. He was a swindler and a scoundrel, but he did love Montauk, as you will see.

Dear Laura,

My most special memories are of my years in Montauk with my family.

It started in 1960 when my wife and I brought our 26 foot Trojan to the Deep Sea Club for a weekend of fishing. We were quite intimidated by the large sport fishing boats with their professional crews. It was not long before we realized that the club was a very friendly and family oriented place, in spite of its storied history. We proceeded to spend every summer in Montauk, bring our 36 foot Egg Harbor and then 56 foot Ryborich sport fisherman to the club. Our experienced while living on our boats at the club were fantastic. Our children spent their time fishing off the dock with the other members boys and girls from the age of 4 years until they were old enough to work as dock boys at the club. They had side jobs digging for clams and washing boats.

The club’s dockmaster, Bob Darenberg, saw to it that they learned everything necessary in order to service the marina and as a strict but loving father figure all the boys developed into hard-working young men.

As time went on I built a beach house off of Old Montauk Highway and moved our family with our grandchildren there for the summers. Our clambakes and lobster cookouts and days of surf fishing from our beach were glorious. My sons remained close ties with Montauk along with their own families and the local friends they met over the years.

In conclusion I can say that of all the travels I have enjoyed worldwide nothing as come close to my love for Montauk.

Bernie Madoff

As always, there are a few interesting points to glean from real estate closings this week. First up is 794 Montauk Highway, Water Mill. This is 6.4 acres of vacant land (immediately east of the Water Mill Shoppes) that, since 1986 or so, has had various planned uses, including a supermarket. Most recently the plan was a project known as Water Mill Village.

In 2018, the planned development district (PDD) was finally approved; the complex was supposed to include 38 townhouse units, a clubhouse, pool and sewage treatment plant.

In 2019, the land was in contract with a last ask of $30 million; the original developers were selling to someone who’d finish the project. The property closed on December 30 for just $9.2 million. Seller was Watermill Village Associates II LLC, while the buyer was reported as Watermill Crossing LLC. New name, same condos?

Also closing recently was 1384 Meadow Lane, Southampton. This is a small three-bedroom bungalow on 3.12 oceanfront acres. So? The place closed for $16 million on December 8. Then it sold again on March 8 for $20 million. They must have done a lot of improvements in three months! (Kidding.) The buyer was 1384 Meadow Lane LLC.

We honestly have a lot of time for Bespoke. Back in the day, people snorted at the Vichinsky brothers founding a brokerage for $10 million and up properties, but we have to admit: those folks get the job done. Time after time they’ve managed to sell trophy properties that no one else could shift.

Surely, the former Ford property, once known as Fordune but now known as Jule Pond, is one of the jewels in their crown. It’s been on the market for four years, initially at $175 million but with a last asking price of $145 million. Over the weekend, the brokerage announced via Instagram that the enormous (42 acre) oceanfront estate was in contract for a record sum. “This trade represents the highest price achieved for a single property in the Hamptons’ History. Bespoke represented the buyer and seller in this transaction.”

Hmmm….the record for a Hamptons property was the $137 million hedgie Barry Rosenstein paid for the Browne estate on Further Lane. But, if you recall, that property is made up of three parcels–so, we’ll be eager to see what Jule Pond trades for.

The house doesn’t matter, folks. The listing for this oceanfront property, at 1210 Meadow Lane, Southampton, doesn’t even bother showing the interiors. (Although judging how terrible the dated 1980s post-mod exterior is, we’re kinda dying to see in the inside….and oddly, the house only sports three bedrooms.) This property, now in contract, is all about the location and the land.

For a last ask of $37 million, both of those had better be impeccable, and they are. Meadow Lane, no matter what pretenders may say coughFurtherLanecough, is the best address in the Hamptons. This is 3.32 acres on the ocean side, with 200 feet of oceanfront and sunset views to the bay. There isn’t a tennis court, but there’s room for one if the buyer wants. No wonder the property, repped by Douglas Elliman’s Michaela Keszler and Madeline Hult Elghanayan, which came onto the market a few months ago, was snapped up quickly.

Well done to all, and we’ll be interested to see what’s built on the land.

• 1210 Meadow Lane [E]

EAST HAMPTON, NY–Emphasizing that the venerable East Hampton institution is eager to shed its “fuddy-duddy reputation,” Maidstone Club Secretary Mrs. Charles Worthington-Smythe announced to reporters today that the club has accepted its first musician member, Lil Nas X. “In the past, we were reluctant when musicians applied to the club, as we know they often smoke reefer and associate with Jewish people, but times have changed and we’re glad to change along with them. Mr. X is very successful, I’m told, so he’ll be able to easily afford the club’s initiation fee and annual dues. I also understand that Mr. X is a confirmed bachelor, but I’m sure he just hasn’t met the right girl yet. We have many lovely young debutantes among our junior members. Perhaps he could play doubles on one of our grass tennis courts.”

At press time, a horrified Mrs. Worthington-Smyth had fainted when she found out Lil Nas X is black.

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Honestly, we’re a little confused about everything, but you know that’s never stopped us before. A couple weeks ago, the New York Post reported that Donald Trump Jr and girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle had sold their Kellis Way, Bridgehampton, house in an off-market deal. They purchased it in 2019 for $4.4 million. And according to the Post, the sales price was $8.14 million. Double in two years? That seems odd to us. James Giugliano and Shawn Egan of Nest Seekers were reportedly the brokers on the deal.

(We will say: many established brokers have been questioning or raised an eyebrow about the sale, since nobody seems to have seen an official transfer.)

Now the current owner, 23 KW LLC, is making the place available for rent via Shawn Egan. Just $625,000 for MD-LD! (Or there’s new construction next door for $275,000, July-LD. Take your pic.)

It’s a nice place, though the old listing photos shown here make it a seem little bland, and Kellis Way, despite being south the highway, isn’t where we’d choose in Bridgehampton. It’s right next to the shopping center and Kellis Way doesn’t connect to any through streets.

We guess we’ll see what happens. Will anyone rent it?

 

 

On the East End, we’re all about the locavore these days, and it doesn’t get any better than The Hamptons Kitchen, a delicious regional cookbook, and the North Fork Chocolate Company, which makes a variety of delicious treats right in house. On April 3, the day before Easter, stop by 740 Main Road, Aquebogue, between noon to 4PM to get your own copy of The Hamptons Kitchen signed by co-author Stacy Dermont. While you’re there, fill your family’s Easter baskets with local candy and delicacies.

“I can’t wait to get out there, all safe and socially distanced, to talk with the public about the joys of locavorism!” Dermont said. The Hamptons Kitchen offers simple recipes appropriate for Long Island’s different seasons and features Dermont’s suggested wine and beer pairings.

Chef Steve of the North Fork Chocolate Company incorporates local ingredients into his chocolate and catering work—including beers, wines, fruits, and foraged herbs and seaweed. “I’m an intuitive cook and artist,” said Chef Steve. “I do what feels right, and that always centers on the best the North Fork has to offer—we live in a uniquely rich food shed.”

Why not support local endeavor—deliciously? See you April 3!

 

 

Over the weekend, the Wall Street Journal reported that pharma billionaire Stewart Rahr, who once cut a swath through Hamptons parties of the past decade calling himself Stewie Rah Rah, is in contract to sell Burnt Point, his 24-acre estate on the Wainscott side of Georgica Pond. Rahr first listed Burnt Point back in 2015, asking $95 million. The sales price is reportedly $50 million, which is only $5 million more than he paid for it in 2005. At the time, this was the most expensive home ever sold in New York State.

The property first made headlines in 1996, selling to commodities trader David Campbell for a record setting $10M. Campbell commissioned architect Francis Fleetwood to build the house, which was completed in 1999. Campbell then put the estate on the market in 2000, asking $50M. (Whence the name? A forest fire around the turn of the twentieth century that denuded the point.)

The property offers 2000 feet of frontage on Georgica Pond and views to the ocean. The house is a massive 18,000 square feet with eight bedrooms; part of it is a self-contained four bedroom and 4.5 bath guest wing with its own balcony and sitting room. Outside, there’s a tennis court with pavilion; pool, hot tub and waterfall; professional greenhouse; boat house; dock on a small beach; and a pretty waterside gazebo perfect for relaxing.

The property was most recently listed by Bespoke. Well done to all.

Actress Julianne Moore has sold her adorable Montauk cottage, right on Fort Pond, for the asking price of $2.85 million. Five years ago, her asking price for the 0.69-acre spread was $3.5 million, which seemed overpriced then.

The house is small, with three bedrooms and just one bath, but it’s really extremely charming, with scraped barnwood floors and a small clawfoot tub in the bathroom. And the property is also extremely private, which is great when you’re an Academy Award winning actress. There’s also a saltwater gunite pool overlooking the pond and a pool house. The lucky new owners can paddleboard or kayak from their backyard.

• Second House Road, Montauk [OE]