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Realty Check: Hot Sales & Listings…plus a Dollop of Gossip

Calvin Sheds Another $85 Million Property

It’s good to be Calvin. Last year, of course, he decided to part with his Southampton house for a cool $84 million, selling to hedgie Ken Griffin. Now, he’s sold his longtime East Hampton house, which everyone had thought he’d given to ex-wife Kelly in their 2006 divorce. Not so much, since 75 West End Road, the 6.8-acre parcel with the house sold for $75 million, in only Calvin’s name, while 69 West End Road, a vacant lot next door of 1.63 acres traded for $10 million. As usual, the buyers were shrouded in LLCs.

Kelly Klein Buys in North Haven

But don’t worry, Kelly is hardly homeless. The photographer and single mother of son Lukas purchased a waterfront property on Cedar Avenue in North Haven for $15.9 million. There’s a small cottage on the property, along with a coveted deepwater dock and 250 feet of bayfront. With 1.69 acres of land, if Kelly is feeling a mite squeezed after leaving West End Avenue, there’s plenty of room for a new, larger residence.

Womp Womp, Chris Whittle

Someone who is homeless, when it comes to the Hamptons anyway, is education pioneer Chris Whittle. He’s lost his beautiful Georgica estate, Briar Patch, in a foreclosure auction. His former company, Avenues (the for-profit school with a campus in the Hamptons) was awarded the property to help satisfy the $6 million Whittle, who helped found Avenues, owes the company. Briar Patch, which includes 11.2 acres on Georgica Pond, along with a historic house, was offered for sale most recently for $95 million.

Briar Patch

Strongheart Returns

Another person who’d like to be homeless in the Hamptons is disgraced former “Today Show” host Matt Lauer. He’s put his North Haven place back on the market yet again. Two years after Lauer was fired from NBC, but about the same time his former wife filed for divorce, Strongheart Manor was listed for $44.8 million in 2019. Since then, the house has been on and off the market. The property is now listed by Susan Breitenbach at Corcoran. Yes, you remember correctly, Lauer bought the estate in 2016 from Richard Gere, paying $33.75 million. 

Changing of the Guard

Veteran broker and mogul Dottie Herman has stepped down as CEO of Douglas Elliman. Scott Durkin, president and COO, will assume her role. This was something planned, not a shock move, and Herman will stay on as an advisor to the company. She purchased Elliman in 2003 with Howard Lorber, but  sold her 29% stake in the brokerage for $40 million in 2018, making Lorber’s Vector Group its sole owner. Durkin said Herman would remain involved in the company at an “advisory level” as vice-chair and would continue participating in events and employee and agent coaching. 

Corcoran Expands to Paradise 

In other agency news, Corcoran has announced its second Caribbean affiliate, Corcoran St Barth, located in the French West Indies. With the appetite among rich folks unslaked as of yet for luxury second (or fourth or fifth) homes, the beautiful island is known for white-sand beaches and high-end shopping. Gustavia, the capital, is known for its harbor filled with superyachts. We’ll be the one driving a Moke for some champagne and conch fritters. 

Corcoran expands to St. Barth Photo: Getty/Corcoran St. Barth

Way Down South

In beautiful Coconut Grove, Florida, anyone with a love of privacy and deep pockets has a great property opportunity. Billionaire Jorge M. Pérez, often known as the Latin American Donald Trump, has listed his home overlooking Biscayne Bay in the gated Hughes Cove neighborhood. (There are only 10 properties in the area; the neighborhood does offer access to a tennis court, a private park, and a boat basin.) Asking $33 million, the Venetian style house is listed with The Jills Zeder Group. The property does include its own private dock, and the 10,000 square foot house includes six bedrooms. Of course, there’s also an infinity pool, spa, and firepit.

Modern Stunner in East Hampton

If you’re more of a northerner than a Floridian, the beautiful “glass box” home of architect Michael Haverland and writer and interior designer Philip Galanes might be more your speed. It was even included on the Museum of Modern Art’s tour of iconic houses of East Hampton. The house is on the market for $5.95 million, listed with Cee Scott Brown at Compass. On a flag lot, just under an acre, the property includes the 3,800 square foot main house, a lap pool, pool house, and a 600 square foot studio and garage. The house offers three bedrooms and two and one half baths.

Modern Stunner in East Hampton Photo: Chris Bausch

A Unicorn on Georgica Pond

For those of more traditional tastes, a unique 14-acre estate on the Wainscott side of Georgica Pond is an option. Deep breaths, though, as the property is listed for an eyewatering $70 million. The former home of real estate developer Sheldon Solow, who died last year, includes 800 feet of pondfront as well as ocean views. The house, built in 2010 by Ben Krupinski Builder, offers the usual rich-person amenities such as a huge master suite with private balcony, library, gym and home theater in the lower level, along with six bedrooms. It’s listed with Kyle Rosko, Marcy Braun, and Martha Gundersen at Douglas Elliman. The listing notes that the property is available to subdivide, creating potential for a second house, complete with a pool, pool house and tennis court.

A Unicorn on Georgica Pond
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