Realty Check

With a Dollop of Hamptons Gossip 

Welcome to the end of summer! Some pretty fine beach weather, we’re glad to say, while much of the rest of the country is scorching. Hopefully the fabulous steeds at the Hampton Classic won’t overheat. Now let’s discuss what’s been going on with real estate….

Linden Finds a Buyer

Linden, the gorgeous historic estate in Southampton, is now under contract. It has been on and off the market at various price points for years. And by “years,” we mean “about 14.” The owners, Jürgen Friedrich, the co-founder of the European branch of the fashion brand Esprit, and his wife, Anke Beck-Friedrich, bought the place in 1999 for $8.5 million and spent years and millions of dollars renovating it. They originally put it on the market in 2008 for nearly $60 million; by 2012, the estate was in contract with Netscape founder Jim Clark, but the sale was never completed.

Most recently, the residence was listed in 2020 with Harald Grant of Sotheby’s International Realty and Tim Davis of The Corcoran Group asking $75 million. The most recent asking price is $69.95 million. The nearly 10-acre property, on Ox Pasture Road, includes the main house, with 18,000 square feet over three floors, with 12 principal bedrooms and staff quarters. There are also two pavilions outside, each with full kitchens, as well as an elaborate carriage house. There’s also a grass tennis court, fountain, indoor and outdoor pools, paddle court, and greenhouse. No word whether the Warhol of Frederick the Great in the media room was included in the sale. 

Big Place, Big Price

A new 13-acre waterfront compound in Water Mill is being marketed by Bespoke. Asking $65 million, the compound is right on Hayground Cove, just off the bay. The property consists of five separate lots, which could be each developed separately, of course. Which seems like a shame, because this would be the perfect estate for the right (deep pocketed) person.

There’s a classic summer house, a guest house, pool house, a boat house (when’s the last time you saw one in the Hamptons?), a dock, tennis and more. The lovely grounds are complete with specimen trees.

Of course, all the buildings are designed to make the most of the views. On prestigious Rose Hill Road, the main house is 4,455 square feet. The site is cleared down to the water (not allowed today); there is 7,730 feet of direct frontage on Hayground Cove, which includes 293 feet that is bulkheaded. When The Cut is open — the waterway between Mecox Bay and the ocean — it would be easy to navigate there in your own boat. 

Ocean-to-Bay Views on Meadow Lane

A smaller Southampton property has also been listed this month. This property sits on the more westerly end of Meadow Lane, farther away from the few public beaches where the hoi polloi gather. Set on 3.4 oceanfront acres, the generously sized house is available for $46 million via Christopher Covert at Compass.

Built in 2010, and sold in 2013 for $22 million, the house was extensively renovated over a yearlong period. Design was by sought-after David Netto, who delivered a beachy-chic interior that is casual yet high-end. The 8,600 square foot house has seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and one powder room.

The second floor of the upside-down design is where the magic happens. The primary suite includes 270-degree water views, a sitting area, a large dressing room, and private covered balcony. Next to that are a separate library and office — one with ocean views, the other overlooking the bay. 

The great room, with vaulted ceilings, is perfect for entertaining and includes ocean and bay views wherever you look. There’s also a formal dining room with fireplace and butler’s pantry with wet bar, as well as a family room for sunset views with a porch overlooking the bay. The kitchen includes more ocean-to-bay views and terrific light, as well as an adjoining deck.

Outside, there’s an oceanside pool and spa, with lovely gardens, and a north-south tennis court with viewing pavilion. A private boardwalk leads across double dunes to one of the most coveted stretches of beach in the world. 

Mariah Pops By

Superstar singer Mariah Carey spent two weeks in July vacationing in Water Mill. With one of the highest elevations in the Hamptons, the estate offers fabulous views from the Bridgehampton polo fields, to the ocean, even to the Montauk Lighthouse. And amusingly, also on fellow songstress Madonna’s Bridgehampton spread. Listing agents were Shawn Elliott and Dylan Eckardt of NestSeekers International.

If she really enjoyed herself — and per her Instagram, it looks like she did — she can buy the house at 954 Noyac Path, which is listed for $20 million with NestSeekers.

Everything with Vegetable Cream Cheese, Please!

1742 Sag Bridge Turnpike, Sag Harbor, most recently Ed’s Lobster House but best known as the site of Bay Burger, has sold. The brokers were the Compass commercial real estate team with Hal Zwick and Jeff Sztorc. The property, renovated in 2018, sold for $3.3 million to the owners of Goldberg’s — cousins Marc Goldberg and Paul Wayne.

The turnkey commercial building, just outside the village business district, provides maximum visibility at the northern edge of the Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike. With high ceilings and 1,600 square feet of internal space, the property is set on 0.77 of an acre, with its own parking lot. There’s also a patio for outdoor seating. “We look forward to the well-known local group returning the site to a gathering place for year-round and seasonal visitors for years to come.” says listing agent Hal Zwick.

Hellloooo, Florida!

High-end kitchen builders Bakes & Kropp has expanded to the Palm Beach area. The company has begun the renovation of a 2,500 square-foot showroom at 3085 South Dixie Highway. The design team is already taking on projects in the area while the build-out is being completed.

”Expanding into the Palm Beach and greater South Florida market is part of our company’s continued growth around the nation,” explained Bakes & Kropp co-founder and chief operations officer Paul Kropp. “We are thoughtfully and intentionally developing our path to becoming a national player in the ultra-luxury kitchen design marketplace, while maintaining our quality of product and service.”

The showroom’s location is in the midst of a dynamic design district. Five minutes from the Palm Beach International Airport and just south of downtown West Palm Beach, the showroom is centrally located and easily accessible. The space will display the company’s full scope of designs, including custom cabinetry for kitchens, pantries, vanities, wine cellars, and libraries. The location will also serve as a gathering place for the design community, with design commentary and discussion sessions.

Ch-Ch-Changes

Looking for a real estate professional possessing seasoned experience, fine-tuned market knowledge and a superior work ethic? Look no further than Aleksandrina Penkova! Aleks is now working out of Corcoran’s Southampton office. But let’s see what her clients have to say. 

One, a real estate developer of over 20 years who’s also bought, sold and built several homes for personal use, says, “Aleks is quite simply the most organized, professional and effective realtor with whom I’ve worked. Not only does she completely understand the markets where she practices, she also offers sound, level-headed and honest advice.”

Aleks moved to the Hamptons in 2013 and began her real estate career shortly thereafter. She’s passionate about the great lifestyle this area affords, and attributes her success to integrity, transparency, responsiveness and dedication. 

Currently living in Southampton, Aleks specializes in sales and rentals from Southampton to Amagansett. She loves walks on the beach, boxing classes, and bike riding in her free time.