Realty Check- Latest Hamptons Real Estate News

By Ruth Thomas

“Place of Peace”
Lasata, the century-old East Hampton mansion where Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis spent childhood summers, is up for sale. Once owned by the former First Lady’s grandfather, John Vernou Bouvier, Jr., the eight-bedroom house and two-bedroom guesthouse were built circa 1917. The iconic 11-acre estate features such necessities of old-world life as a sunken grass tennis court. The property is currently owned by fashion icon Reed Krakoff, former creative director of Coach, and his interior designer wife, who renovated it extensively after purchasing it for $25M in 2007. Meanwhile the Krakoffs spend their weekends at their new digs, the 50-acre former Huguette Clark estate in Connecticut, when not looking for a Hamptons beachfront property on which to build a modern house. Listed by Susan Breitenbach of the Corcoran Group and Peter Turino of Brown Harris Stevens. $53.99M

Fleetwood on Further
A Francis Fleetwood designed oceanfront manse on Further Lane is on the market. The classic 7 bedroom, 9.5 bath structure features the expansive porches and porticoes for which the Post-Modern architect was known. “Polished plank-wood flooring and coffered ceilings set the stage for breathtaking ocean views,” reads the listing by Ed and James Petrie of Compass. Besides the grand proportions of the formal rooms you would expect, the home also offers intimate spaces such as the breakfast room with its 360-degree ocean views. “One of the last properties of its kind that captures the wit and classic elegance of the Hamptons.”

Seven Sisters
One of Montauk’s famed “Seven Sisters” has hit the Hamptons market. It is one of seven Shingle Style houses built in 1879 by developer Arthur Benson as a hunting and fishing retreat for himself and friends. While originally designed by celebrated architect Stanford White, the home known as Andrews House, was rebuilt by Francis Fleetwood in 1992. The 2.3-acre property commands 300 degree ocean views. Listed by Linda Haugevik of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. $18.5M

L.A. Big Ticket
Douglas Elliman Real Estate isn’t only ubiquitous in New York and the Hamptons. It also boasts a significant presence in Los Angeles as evidenced by its recent sale of the legendary Owlwood Estate in that city’s Holmby Hills enclave. The 10-acre property features an iconic 12,600-square-foot Italian Renaissance residence built in 1936, which has been the home to many of Hollywood’s elite including Sonny and Cher and Tony Curtis. The $90M sale marks one of the highest-valued residential real estate transactions in Los Angeles County ever, as it did not include any extra considerations such as furnishings and artwork.

Eco-Friendly Sale
In its valiant battle to preserve farmland, Southampton Town has purchased development rights of 86 acres of the Densieski Farm in East Quogue – the largest block of protected farmland west of the canal. The Densieski family, who has farmed the land for 90 years, received $5.4 million and will retain the development rights on six acres. “This purchase helps support locally produced foods, which could reduce the trucking costs, that reduce carbon emissions, that in turn helps our environment,” says Southampton Town Councilwoman Julie Lofstad.

News Flash
NBC anchor Matt Lauer has slashed the price of his 25-acre Deerfield Road estate by $1M. After placing the 10-acre property (not to be confused with his 40-acre Water Mill horse farm, Bright Side) on the market in July, the long time Today Show host placed the new ask at just under $17M in September. The Lauers’ main Hamptons residence, the 8,000-square-foot home was designed by architect Daniel Roulades, while interiors were fashioned by Muriel Brandolini, known for vibrant colors and patterns.

A New Game in Town
East End homebuyers and agents will soon be able to use a new online listing system to find their dream home. The new website, EastEndListingExchange.com is scheduled to launch by the end of October and be fully operational by January, according to Joseph Sabella, Executive Director of the newly formed East End Real Estate Association, which will run the service. “The association was founded by Douglas Elliman, Sotheby’s, the Corcoran Group, Brown Harris Stevens and Saunders & Associates,” Sabella said.

Sag Harbor View
Comedian and “The View” co-host Joy Behar has purchased a home on Bay Street near her beloved Bay Street Theater, where she sits on the board. The updated Victorian house on nearly two-thirds of an acre with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a formal dining room, newly renovated cook’s kitchen, and five fireplaces went for $4.75 million. Sold by Pamela Walsh of Town & Country Real Estate.

So True / So False
Rumors were swirling recently that one of the dreaded Kardashians had purchased a Southampton manse after he crowed about it on Instagram. Rob Karashian, who has his own reality show along with his girlfriend (Lord help us!), posted a photo of an historic Southampton property with the caption: “Just closed the deal on my new house and can’t wait to move out of CALI! AMERICA!!!!!” It turns out that Kim’s sibling was just joshing. No doubt the Hamptons wannabe would love to own Normandy House, the 5.56-acre First Neck Lane property with 400 feet of waterfront on Lake Agawam, but it took premier Hamptons real estate agent Tim Davis of the Corcoran Group, who is representing the house for sale, to quell rumors. Turns out the house, built in 1930 and recently renovated by renowned interior designer Tony Ingrao, is very much still on the market where it happily awaits purchase by someone who will appreciate the grand Southampton relic. $48M