Last week, the Sag Harbor residence of John and Elaine Steinbeck hit the market, asking a cool $17.9 million. Set on 1.8 acres of waterfront on Bluff Point Lane, the house is a modest 1930 two-bedroom cottage; there are also several outbuildings, including Steinbeck’s “Writing House,” which is basically a shed (below).
What a difference a week makes. Last week, locals were pondering changing the name of the new Steinbeck Park, because after all Steinbeck was not a long-term Sag Harbor resident. Now, with the property on the market, locals are all atwitter that this extremely important literary landmark be saved.
We’ve got an idea. Move the house and the writing hut to Steinbeck Park. That way people can visit it easily, and no one has to worry about a new owner tearing the house down. Which, of course, they will, because anyone paying $17.9 million is not gonna want this place.
The value is in the land. (Not that we think the place is worth $17.9 million, for what it’s worth.)
This solution should make everyone happy. The seller get cleared land to offer for a new build, the buyer can build new, and the town can keep the house and the writing hut. Not sure exactly how the money would shake out, but perhaps the seller can donate the buildings and the village/town pay to move them.
What say you? Let us know in the comments.