There are a lot of so-called Shingle Style houses around the Hamptons. But this is the real thing and it’s a knockout. Originally known as Crossways, this house was built in 1888 by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bell. The Bells bought a number of acres from the original Foster family for $6,000 in 1887 and 1889 to build their estate, which in their day included the main house, a large carriage house, a barn, a greenhouse, an icehouse, and a large caretaker’s cottage.
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Mr. Bell was a successful stockbroker with his own firm who served as a New York City parks commissioner in 1894. Although many hoped he’d run for mayor of New York on the Democratic ticket, he died suddenly of typhoid in 1902, so he didn’t get to enjoy his Southampton home for long.
The Crossways was built by James L’Hommedieu (1833-1892), a builder and designer from the Hempstead area, best known today for having designed the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City.
In 1927, the next owner of the property subdivided it, separating the main house from the carriage house and caretaker’s house. The caretaker’s cottage still exists and is a private home. Unfortunately, the carriage house was demolished in 2014.
Now, the property is about one acre, which includes extremely pretty English-style gardens, a gunite pool and even a sports court. The house is about 7,400 square feet, which includes 10 bedrooms, 8 full baths, and 2 half baths, and includes a rare third story.
The property looks to be in excellent condition and lovingly cared for, with a high end kitchen and redone baths. The only downsides to a house like this is that it’s historic, so it lacks enormously high ceilings and a cavernous kitchen. (Of course, back in 1888, the Bells’ meals were cooked by servants.)
Asking price for the house, represented by Michaela Keszler at Douglas Elliman, is $18.95 million. The place last sold in 2011 for $10.5 million. What do you think? Worth it for a slice of history?
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