Realty Check – Latest Hamptons Real Estate News

Gon’ Give It To You
Multiple Grammy Award-winning musician and producer Mark Ronson – think Uptown Funk — has sold his 1,400 sf beach house in the Amagansett Dunes. The ask for the ocean-view contemporary a block from the ocean was $1.45M. The four bedroom, 2 bath abode sited on .17 acre features a wood-burning fireplace, outdoor shower and enclosed deck with sliding barn doors. Represented by Lynda Packard of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Lights, Camera, Action!
The star of Sag Harbor is gearing up for a comeback. A community organization has come to the rescue of the Sag Harbor Cinema, a 1930s movie house that burned down in a fire last fall. The Sag Harbor Partnership is in contract to purchase the beloved theater from owner Gerald Mallow for $8M. So far fundraising efforts have brought in more than $1M. Vice president of the effort, celebrated artist April Gornik, says the group plans to redevelop the building by restoring the façade and building two theaters and a nonprofit arts and education center.

Artists’ Muse
Oscar-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl and her artist husband David Geiser have sold their idyllic waterfront cottage on East Hampton’s Gerard Drive for $1.2M. The white shingled refuge with views of Gardiner’s Bay and Accabonac Harbor has been the inspiration for photographers and artists for decades. Ruehl received her Academy Award for her role in The Fisher King with Jeff Bridges and Robin Williams. The listing agent was Sarah Minardi of Saunders & Associates.

Twenty – something Award
Douglas Elliman agent Ray Lord III has earned the top award in Realtor Magazine’s annual 30 Under 30 List. The only New York agent to make the final list, Ray brought in 3,144 of the nearly 40,000 votes cast. After being energized by his first sale of a $3M Hamptons property, the East Hampton agent formed a highly successful team whose sales growth consistently ranks among the highest in Elliman’s East End offices.

Growth Spurt
Compass recently acquired Keeshan Real Estate, the longest family owned real estate company in Montauk. Led by father and daughter team John and Nancy Keeshan. The office, the company’s fifth in the Hamptons, is located at 37 Carl Fisher Plaza. Compass continues to grow their Hamptons presence, and now boasts 52 agents across its Montauk, East Hampton, Bridgehampton, Southampton and Sag Harbor offices.

Media Magnate
Former publisher Gardner “Pat” Cowles III, heir to one of the last of the nation’s most powerful media families, which published Look magazine and a slew of weeklies and dailies including the Sag Harbor Express, is selling his Hill Street estate. The five-bedroom, four-bath home on nearly an acre in Southampton Village features an airy interior, lush lawn and generous deck. $3.95M. Represented by Michael Daly of Douglas Elliman.

Ch-Ch-Changes
With 14 years as a broker, Cynthia Barrett, originally with Douglas Elliman, and most recently with Compass, has now moved on to Brown Harris Stevens. A seasoned veteran, Barrett, who maintains an extensive international clientele list, is based out of the BHS Bridgehampton office.

Boasting close to 20 years in the business, John Christopher — a 2015/2016 Hamptons top producer – has left Brown Harris Stevens to join Sotheby’s International Realty. John specializes in waterfront properties and, as a former member of the Sag Harbor Village Harbor committee, he has considerable knowledge of the rules and regulations that pertain to waterfront parcels. He also hosts the show Realife (WPPB 88.3FM), which focuses on “the people, places and things that are the heartbeat and pulse of the East End.”

Growing up on the East End and spending his summer days fishing off the beautiful shoreline provide a unique perspective of the beautiful land for the newly acquired Hampton Estates Realty agent, Michael Willmott. Michael has the local market knowledge that home buyers and sellers deserve. Currently on the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee in Westhampton Beach, he has also worked with Special Olympics and IGHL Inc.

Leo van Assendelft has recently rejoined Hamptons Realty Group in Amagansett. He had previously worked in commercial Real Estate in Manhattan with Aegis and the William B. May agency, and since 2010 he has been a residential salesperson with Douglas Elliman.