Realty Check

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

If 2026 needed an opening act to announce that Hamptons real estate has absolutely no plans to calm down, it arrived right on cue in East Hampton Village—with a $30 million land deal and the subtle message that scarcity is still king.

Two parcels, one stretching from Hither Lane to Middle Lane, traded together in one of the first major sales of the new year. The properties at 42 Hither Lane and 55 Middle Lane were listed for $32 million with Susan Breitenbach of The Corcoran Group and ultimately sold for $30 million. Jennifer Wilson of Saunders & Associates brought the buyer, who remains unnamed but is already being spoken of in the hushed, reverent tones typically reserved for future architectural statements.

Together, the parcels span more than seven acres in East Hampton Village—an almost laughably rare amount of land in an area where a half-acre now feels generous. The property runs clean through from Hither to Middle, a configuration that is both geographically impressive and socially enviable.

The 7.3-acre estate compound consists of two separate buildable lots and sits just moments from the ocean and village center. Translation: privacy, proximity, and bragging rights.

On the 5.24-acre portion at 42 Hither Lane sits Holly Hall, a stately 6,000-square-foot residence dating back to the 1930s. The house manages that delicate Hamptons balancing act of historic charm and modern comfort, offering six bedrooms plus two staff quarters, expansive porches and terraces, and a radiant sunroom overlooking rolling lawns and lush gardens. There’s a privately situated pool, plenty of room to expand, and just enough gravitas to suggest cocktail attire rather than flip-flops.

The adjoining 2.05-acre property at 55 Middle Lane is buildable, which in this zip code might as well be classified as a natural resource. The property went into contract in October 2025 and closed on January 12.

Breitenbach reports that she’s closed on over $75M in contracts since the beginning of 2026. What does this sale say about the broader market? The luxury sector is super strong, with recent numbers backing that up. And if this sale is the opening bell for 2026, there’s more high-end activity waiting in the wings.

Zooming out, the broader Hamptons market also continues to reach new heights. According to William Raveis’ 2025 year-end report, the median home price across the region has officially topped $2 million for the first time. In East Hampton Village, the median jumps to $5.625 million, the highest on the South Fork. The village also tied Bridgehampton for sales over $20 million, with seven apiece.

Waiting for prices to come down before buying? Not a great idea. Land is at a premium, and as the old saying goes, they’re not making more. 

Meanwhile, over on the North Fork, a newly constructed modern waterfront home in Southold is making waves of its own, albeit at a comparatively modest $8.2 million. Listed with Deborah Pirro of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, the residence, on Town Creek, offers a westward orientation that delivers sunset views over Peconic Bay—nature’s own closing argument.

The 4,672-square-foot home sits on just under an acre and boasts 160 feet of waterfront, a private dock, and an 82-foot Trex catwalk. Built with an emphasis on structural integrity, energy efficiency, and elevated finishes, the house leans fully into contemporary design, with floor-to-ceiling glass, floating staircases, and an open-concept layout that lets the light do most of the decorating.

A custom kitchen outfitted with Thermador appliances, marble countertops, and ceiling-high cabinetry anchors the main living space, which flows into a great room centered around a gas fireplace clad in textured porcelain. There’s also an office, a junior en suite with private outdoor access, and a dining room positioned for lingering dinners.

Upstairs, the primary suite comes with a private balcony and water views, joined by three additional bedrooms and spa-like baths. A lower level offers an additional 2,000 square feet of flexible space, and a saline heated pool is on the way—because of course it is.

Back in East Hampton, another notable listing has resurfaced: developer Harry Macklowe’s Georgica Pond estate, now back on the market at $35 million after a long-standing Certificate of Occupancy issue sidelined the property. Listed with Paul Brennan and Martha Gundersen of Douglas Elliman, the property now has a clear path forward after an agreement with East Hampton Village officials.   

The 5,500-square-foot, Futterman Architecture–designed home sits on 2.71 acres with 951 feet of pond frontage and sweeping water views. Minor modifications and revegetation work remain, but the uncertainty that once shadowed the property has largely lifted.

For buyers seeking whimsy over waterfront, Southampton Village has delivered with the return of the so-called “hobbit house” at 10 John Street. Listed for $2.25 million with Robert Lohman of Brown Harris Stevens, the five-bedroom, half-timber home dates back to the early 1900s and looks as if it wandered over from the Cotswolds by way of Middle-earth.  

Built by craftsman Julius Imer using salvaged ship timbers and local stone, the house features antique hearths, thick hand-crafted doors, and a great room that would likely delight Tolkien himself. Situated on just under a quarter acre, the property offers room for a pool, an outdoor shower, and the rare opportunity to live in something truly unlike anything else on the market.

Finally, in Northwest Harbor, interior designer Mark Zeff has listed his minimalist meditation retreat, BLACKBARN, for $4.75 million. The 4,799-square-foot modern residence reflects Zeff’s signature blend of comfort, restraint, and quiet drama, with vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, a sculptural cone fireplace, and walls of glass overlooking a heated saline pool.

Set on 1.1 acres near Mile Hill Beach, the home is equal parts design manifesto and livable retreat—proof that even in a market dominated by scale and spectacle, thoughtful design still has its place.  The property is listed with Cindy Scholz of Compass.   

Taken together, these listings tell a familiar story: the Hamptons remain a place of extremes—historic homes and hyper-modern estates, soaring prices and shrinking affordability, preservation and pressure. For now, at least, demand shows no sign of easing. And the market, like its buyers, seems perfectly comfortable with that.

This March, Holiday House makes a highly anticipated return to South Florida with its inaugural Wellington Designer Showhouse, a design-forward philanthropic showcase benefiting breast cancer research. Set within two striking residences at The Palm Beach Polo Club—part of The Farrell Companies’ newest development—the event brings together approximately 20 of the industry’s most celebrated interior designers, each transforming a room to reflect cutting-edge décor and elevated lifestyle concepts, all in support of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation^®.

Founded by Iris Danker in 2008, a designer and breast cancer survivor, Holiday House has become a powerful platform for awareness and fundraising. The 2026 Wellington edition is led by Honorary Chair Christian Siriano, with Jean Shafiroff serving as Philanthropy Chair, and Andrea Stark, Jayne Chase, Iris Dankner, and Campion Platt as Co-Chairs. Festivities begin with an Opening Night Gala on March 3, 2026, and will be open to the public March 4 – May 3. 

“I am so thrilled to announce that Holiday House is returning to South Florida with its inaugural Wellington Designer Showhouse,” says Dankner. “Approximately 20 of the industry’s top interior designers will be designing their own chic rooms to showcase cutting-edge décor and lifestyle concepts, all while raising critical funds for breast cancer research.”