Hamptons Hot List: the biggest sales of 2020, so far

It’s time to make up a bunch of awards and hand them out to the most deserving people, places and things in the worlds of Hamptons real estate! That’s right; it’s time for the first ever Hot List. Today’s subject: the largest sales of 2020.

Hot is the word for Hamptons real estate this year, thanks to the Covid virus. That’s not news. But to illustrate the difference between 2019 and 2020, consider: the top home sale last year was $39 million for 263 Surfside Drive, Bridgehampton. That deal would only get to number 6 on this list. Meanwhile, the top sale this year was more than twice that amount. This year’s biggest sales add up to $450.55 million, up 48 percent from the $303.5 million for the top 10 in 2019. Why “so far”? Many deals will be closing this week, so stay tuned.

As for region, good ol’ Billionaires’ Row in Southampton reigned supreme, with four entries on the list for Meadow Lane. No entries from upstarts Bridgehampton or Sagaponack this year.

1 $84.4 million, 650 Meadow Lane, Southampton

Was it something we said, Calvin? Or maybe Mr. Klein got an offer he couldn’t refuse. Billionaire hedge funder Ken Griffin continued his buying spree by coughing up a truly stunning price. That said, the property is also stunning, with a gorgeous modern house, several outbuildings and seven acres of oceanfront land. Interesting that Calvin had neither a pool nor a tennis court.

Of course this property has a long and notorious history–it was formerly the du Pont estate, which was eventually purchased by the infamous Barry Trupin (a distant relative of this writer), and turned into the Southampton-matron-pearls-clutching Dragon’s Head. Calvin Klein then razed that house, to the disappointment of no one, and built the current house.

2. $67 million, 15 West Dune Lane, East Hampton

3.4 acres fronting on Wiborg Beach was the attraction here. But there’s also a 8,000-square-foot house designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, with an oceanfront pool. Not enough space? Don’t fancy your cousin’s creepy kids peeing in your pool? There’s also a 6,000-square-foot guesthouse with its own pool.

3. $45 million, 26 & 32 Windmill Lane, East Hampton

Just off Further Lane is this 6.7 acre property, with two lots, right on the ocean. The main house is a comparatively piddly 5,000 square feet, so we wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a teardown. A 12,500 square foot house could then be built.

4. $40.9 million, 1050 Meadow Lane, Southampton

This 3.4-acre property boasts 535 feet of oceanfront and also a dock on Shinnecock Bay. The 9,000-square-foot house was constructed by Ben Krupinski Builder and decorated by Steven Gambrel. It has 6 bedrooms and 9.5 bathrooms.

5. $39.5 million, 1400 Meadow Lane, Southampton

An ultra-modern 11,000-square-foot new build adorns this three-acre plot. Not fancy enough? There’s also a 2,870-square-foot marble terrace, a tennis court and an infinity pool overlooking the ocean.

6. $38 million, 24 and 28 Gin Lane, Southampton

Two parcels that were formerly part of Wooldon Manor sold in Februrary. There are some old buildings, but they’re going to be torn down. The buyer can then add a new place up to 15,000 square feet, with, of course, the requisite pool and tennis.

7. $36 million, 1116 Meadow Lane, Southampton

This too, we think, is a deal for the land. The house itself is odd and suffering from the 1980s. But hey, 3.6 acres on Meadow Lane and 200 feet of oceanfront is nothing to sneeze at.

8. $35.75 million, 27 Drew Lane, East Hampton

Hedgie Barry Rosenstein finally unloaded his older (2007) oceanfront property. Of course you remember when in 2014 he spent $137 million on the former Browne estate. This property had been on the market since 2017 and first asked $70 million.

9. $35 million, 317 Murray Place, Southampton

This house, in the Murray Compound, is styled like a French chateau. Because hey, why not. It’s 9,000 square feet with four bedrooms (four?) and 5.5 baths. Fortunately, there’s 200 feet of ocean frontage and a 2.8-acre lot.

10. $34 million, 55 Coopers Neck Lane, Southampton

Originally asking $40 million, this property is not oceanfront. There’s a 12,400-square-foot gambreled new build sporting all the rich-folks bells and whistles, with 11 bedrooms and 12 baths, as well as 4.5 acres of land. Too small? There is also a 6 bedroom guesthouse on the property. Bored? There’s a two-lane bowling alley, not to mention the usual home theater and indoor and outdoor pools.