Realty Check: Hot Sales & Listings…

Say Hello to Steinbeck Park 

And goodbye to Fort Apache in Sag Harbor. That eyesore is now no longer, thanks to the hard work of a few dedicated visionaries who are set to revitalize the area and turn it into the John Steinbeck Waterfront Park. The land in question — a vacant wasteland at 1, 3 and 5 Ferry Road — was purchased for $10.5 million with Community Preservation Fund money. It will be linked to the existing Windmill Park and soon-to-be updated Long Wharf, say officials from Southampton Town and the Village of Sag Harbor. Prior to its transformation, courtesy landscape architect Edmund Hollander and developer Jay Bialsky, the area will be utilized on an interim basis as 1.25-acre green space, complete with split-rail fencing, picnic tables and benches. Nearby, at 2 Water Street (2WWSagHarbor.com), Bialsky is set to erect three luxury condominiums. He and his family will occupy one and the other two will be offered at $21.95 million and $19.95 million (estimated). Each of the one-of-a-kind residences will feature a pair of private boat slips, rooftop decks with custom pools, walls of glass, top-of-the-line finishes, amazing water views, and underground parking spaces. Bespoke Real Estate will represent the properties. Back to the park, which will be a boon to residents and visitors to Sag Harbor, will also be a fitting tribute to the late novelist, who lived in the village for the last 16 years of his life and was very involved in the community. The Nobel Prize-winning writer, who penned “The Winter of Our Discontent” and “Travels with Charlie,” was instrumental in the creation of the windmill that now stands on Long Wharf as well as in the village’s annual HarborFest celebration.  

Squarespace Owner’s Building Blocks

During the course of the past year, Squarespace CEO Anthony Casalena has quietly acquired three significant oceanfront properties in Montauk, totaling $42 million, according to reports. Using three different LLCs, the tech entrepreneur, who famously started his business in his dorm room at the University of Maryland, used his considerable resources to buy more than six acres, two houses and a guesthouse at The End. Representing the various players in the deals were Robert Dankner of Prime Manhattan Residential, Rylan Jacka and Dominique Garstin of Sotheby’s International Realty, and Gary DePersia of The Corcoran Group. No word yet on Mr. Casalena’s plans for the parcels. 

Gansett Green Manor Gobbled Up 

California-based WTI Inc. has closed on the boutique Amagansett hotel property for a total of $6.17 million. The charming property, represented by Lisa Ferraro and Dana Forbes of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, includes a house, several cottages and a few converted barns. A sought-after wedding venue, some of the buildings date back to the 1700s. Here’s hoping the new owners appreciate antiquity. 

Mapping Local History 

The Southampton Village home of architect and Long Island map illustrator Courtland Smith and his wife, prolific portrait artist Liesje Smith, is now available and priced to sell at $1.25 million. The three-bedroom, two-bath farmhouse at 109 Hampton Road was built in 1825 is listed with Lynda Packard of Douglas Elliman. Kept in the family for generations, the “Ellsworth” house was also the home of Southampton Village Mayor Elmer Smith, who was Courtland’s father. The younger Mr. Smith, who worked as an architect until he retired at the age of 95, was also the man behind the famous 1933 pictorial map of Long Island. The immensely popular drawing, which still today hangs in many a Hamptons home, features detailed drawings of landmarks such as the Montauk Lighthouse and area beaches as well as sketches of various local fish life (including a spouting whale), an Art Deco wind figure and rose compass. 

So Many Stories

Lanford Wilson’s old house in Sag Harbor is also on the market. Priced at $9 million and listed with Matt Breitenbach and Beth Felson of Compass, the four-story house — where the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and co-founder of the Circle Repertory Company in New York City lived until his death in 2011 — comes with five bedrooms, four full and two-half baths. Extensively remodeled by its current owners, former United Kingdom Parliament member Shaun Woodward and Hollywood cameraman Luke Redgrave (of the storied acting family), the 6,200 square foot circa-1840s Egyptian revival home sits on a .38-acre lot in the village. Features include a pair of parlors with English Jamb fireplaces, a home theater, gym, library and even a 50-foot Gunite pool. 

Disick Digs 

Ross alum-turned reality show subject Scott Disick is rumored to be returning to his roots here on the East End. Said to be looking to expand his real estate portfolio, the star of the new show “Flip It Like Disick” and his girlfriend, Sofia Richie, have been spotted house hunting in Sag Harbor. No word yet on if the self-proclaimed “the Lord” is interested in featuring our lovely neck of the woods on video again, as he, his ex-partner and her family did on “Kourtney and Khloe Take the Hamptons.” Disick’s newest reality series follows him and his team as they try to buy and flip luxury properties in Los Angeles. It premiered on E! in early August. Promotional video for the show features those in the former (and perhaps future) South Forker’s network, including musician and Benihana heir Steve Aoki; Kris, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian; and rapper French Montana. 

Ch-Ch-Changes 

Veteran associate broker Martha Gundersen has joined Douglas Elliman, bringing with her Dylan Huddleston, Rafal Trawicki and Francis Fineo. The Amagansett resident will be based in Elliman’s Bridgehampton office. 

Seasoned broker Robert Canberg joins Compass with years of experience in the Hamptons’ Luxury Residential Real Estate markets. Robert and his team serve all areas of the East End and specialize in luxurious waterfront properties on both the South Fork and North Fork.