Realty Check

Hot Sales and Listings…Along with the Latest Real Estate News in the Hamptons and Beyond

Those of us who are Hamptons real estate lookie-loos often think of December as the most wonderful time of the year. It’s fun to see people scramble to complete transactions before the end of the year. However, just this autumn we’ve seen some quite high prices in Bridgehampton and in Montauk. The Hamptons are back, bay-bee!

After a brief lull, the ultra-luxury Hamptons market—those coveted estates above the $10 million mark—has made a triumphant return. Following a period when many migrated south in search of sun and space, renewed confidence from Wall Street, favorable lending conditions, and an enduring appreciation for the East End’s understated beauty have drawn buyers back in droves.

This season’s demand is defined by discernment. The most sought-after properties are impeccably restored, fully furnished, and move-in ready—homes that invite immediate enjoyment and effortless entertaining. Listings that require renovation or design vision are lingering a bit longer, as today’s buyers gravitate toward perfection already achieved.

Shutterstock Founder Sells
Ocean views, private dune walkways and the promise of effortlessly entertaining 20 of your closest friends are timeless commodities. Case in point: In an off-market deal that barely had time to generate gossip, Shutterstock founder Jonathan Oringer sold his oceanfront estate at 125 Mid Ocean Drive in Bridgehampton for a cool $57 million. The 10,300-square-foot residence, perched on just over two acres with more than 160 feet of ocean frontage, marks the third-largest Hamptons real estate transaction of the year. Represented by Douglas Elliman’s Erica Grossman, Paul Brennan and Martha Gundersen, the property changed hands via a deal brought by Terry Cohen of Compass; the buyer has chosen to remain anonymous, which is no fun for us.

Oringer purchased the estate more than a decade ago for $40 million and briefly tested the waters of selling in 2021 after relocating to Florida during the pandemic. (Like many, he likely learned that “living the dream” in Miami in August requires a personal climate-control bubble.) But this year the timing was right—and more importantly, so was the house. The Barnes Coy–designed home, built in 2014 by Ben Krupinski Builder, features walnut and limestone floors, soaring ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling glass that invites natural light into every corner—the better to take in those ocean view.

Inside, the main floor includes an open gourmet kitchen designed to support both intimate dinners and full-scale catered soirées, alongside a dining area, living room, and den with a custom bar setup—because sipping an icy martini with the Atlantic roaring dramatically in the background is practically part of the zoning code. Additional amenities include a large gym, office, studio, and a game/spa area leading to the pool deck. The upstairs holds the primary suite—which has its own floor, for heaven’s sake—along with multiple guest suites and a separate two-bedroom staff apartment. Outside, an infinity-edge gunite pool overlooks the ocean, and an outdoor kitchen, fireplace, and TV make the transition from indoor lounging to “outdoor entertaining” seamless, should one feel inspired to grill for someone other than the caterer.

Surf’s Up in Montauk
If Oringer’s sale represents the no-fuss, turnkey dream at the top end of the market, the momentum is hardly limited to Bridgehampton. Over in Montauk, the oceanfront neighborhood of Ditch Plains—long beloved by surfers, barefoot creatives, and people who own exactly one Patagonia fleece they wear unironically—has become one of the East End’s most competitive enclaves. Douglas Elliman agents Erica Grossman and Kyle Rosko co-represented the property at 42 Deforest Road with Hedgerow Exclusive Properties. The property is expected to break the Ditch Plains price record. Joe Farrell, the founder of Farrell Building Company, is the buyer. Though the final contract price remains under wraps, the most recent ask was $19.95 million, and the demand in the area suggests the final number will not disappoint.

Ditch Plains is not just a place to own a beach house; it has developed a mythology. Five properties in the area have gone under contract in recent weeks, ranging from multimillion-dollar waterfront estates to more modest homes that still manage to command seven-figure enthusiasm. Buyers are drawn to its surf-centric culture, its unpretentious (but not too unpretentious) personality, and the fact that one can wander directly from morning waves to a lobster roll without needing to change out of a wetsuit. And at 42 Deforest, one gets all the luxuries without sacrificing the barefoot vibe: roughly 5,100 square feet of living space, eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms, expansive decks, chef-grade kitchens, multiple fireplaces, and yes, a heated pool and spa overlooking the shoreline—because a hot tub is a need after peeling off one’s wetsuit.

Those who missed out on 42 Deforest may consider its neighbor: 40 Deforest Road, the last available home in the “On the Break” oceanfront development. Listed at $17.495 million, the newly completed Casa Las Olas offers 4,800 square feet, six bedrooms, six bathrooms, curated furnishings by Meredith Baer, and a primary suite with its own private waterside terrace. The oceanside heated gunite pool includes a sun shelf, because sometimes one simply wants to be in water while barely being in water. The deck spans nearly the entire width of the home, ready for dinner parties that look like they were staged for Vogue’s Quiet Luxury: Beach Edition spread.

Quiet in the Northwest
If Montauk and Bridgehampton appeal to those who want either minimal effort or maximum surf energy, East Hampton’s Northwest Woods offers something else entirely: a quiet retreat tucked among towering white pines. At 5 White Pine, a 1976 barn-style residence designed by architect Alfredo De Vido has hit the market for $3.895 million. Represented by Mary Slattery of The Corcoran Group, the property is owned by acclaimed interior designer Kerry Delrose, whose work spans luxury estates and high-end residences across the globe. 

Unlike the gleaming glass-walled modern compounds popping up across the East End, this property leans into texture, quiet, and warmth. Floor-to-ceiling glass sliders open onto nearly two acres of woodland landscape, gardens, and slate patios. The heated gunite pool and in-ground spa are surrounded by sculptural accents, lending the outdoor space the feel of a private art garden. Inside, the living room features vaulted ceilings and a stone fireplace; the kitchen blends high-end appliances with cherry cabinetry; and a cozy wood-paneled sunroom—complete with skylights—provides a year-round cocoon for reading, lounging, or hosting polite conversation about the state of the world (or more likely, complaining about traffic in the village). The four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath layout is flexible enough for both quiet weekends and summer gatherings, while still feeling like an escape rather than an entertainment venue.

Louis C.K. Sells on Shelter Island
On the tranquil shores of Shelter Island, history and refinement meet at Primrose Cottage, a 123 year old Tudor-style waterfront estate that has long captured the imagination of those who value legacy and luxury. Once a presidential retreat where Theodore Roosevelt and William McKinley stayed, and most recently owned by comedian Louis C.K., the home has now sold for $4.35 million. C.K purchased the property in 2014 for $2.44 million.

Steeped in character, the residence has played host to notable figures for more than a century. In 1905, it was the site of the informal debut of Peter Pan and later welcomed Babe Ruth as a guest of Congressman James Roe, who once owned a grand expanse of land along Westmoreland.

During his decade of ownership, Louis C.K. undertook a meticulous restoration, preserving the home’s historic charm while integrating contemporary sophistication. The result is a harmonious blend of original millwork, six wood-burning fireplaces, and modern comforts, including central air, energy-efficient systems, and a chef’s kitchen appointed with premium appliances and a newly added butler’s pantry.

Spanning nearly 5,000 square feet with six bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths, the home is gracefully set on 2.2 acres of manicured waterfront grounds. A 20-by-50-foot heated gunite pool and hot tub invite relaxation, while a deepwater dock on West Neck Creek offers effortless access to the island’s pristine bays.

Represented by Carl Gambino and Marco Maida of The Gambino Group at Compass, this historic estate has found its next steward — a fitting continuation of its remarkable story, where heritage, craftsmanship, and coastal serenity endure in perfect balance.

Ch Ch Changes
After ten years as a leading force at Saunders & Associates, top-producing Hamptons broker Ed Bruehl has made a high-profile move to Christie’s International Real Estate Group. 

He steps into his new role as Managing Director of Christie’s East Hampton office—the brokerage’s sole presence in one of the most competitive luxury markets in the Hamptons.

Bruehl arrives at Christie’s with serious momentum. Alongside his former partner Jennifer Wilson, he closed $177 million in transactions between June 2024 and June 2025, earning the duo the No. 9 spot in The Real Deal’s latest Hamptons rankings. While Wilson remains at Saunders, Bruehl brings with him junior partner Angel Theodore, signaling a fresh chapter for both the agent and the East Hampton office.

Christie’s opened its East Hampton location in late 2023, but the brand has yet to carve out a dominant footprint in the Hamptons. Bruehl doesn’t shy away from the challenge. Calling the firm’s initial presence “underbranded,” he sees untapped potential—and now he’s steering the effort to change that.

In his new position, Bruehl will oversee a 15-agent team that includes seasoned veterans like Bonita DeWolf and Sanda Busch of the Gottlieb Team. He’s also eyeing expansion, aiming to recruit elite senior producers and open future offices in Southampton and Westhampton. His strategy includes leveraging high-impact marketing tools to drive visibility and sales.

Bruehl’s pedigree includes past tenures at Sotheby’s International Realty and Morgan Stanley, where he worked as a financial advisor before turning his focus to real estate. Known for his sharp instincts and hands-on leadership, Bruehl’s move to Christie’s signals more than just a career shift—it’s a power play aimed at elevating the brand’s standing in the Hamptons.