Realty Check – Latest Hamptons Real Estate News

Star Tower
Scarlett Johansson and boyfriend Colin Jost have been spotted house hunting, they seemed particularly interested in an $8 million condo at Gurney’s – just down the road from where the star already has a beach house in Amagansett. It seems the apartment attracts celebrities. Cindy Crawford and husband, Rande Gerber, are said to have spent a week there over the July 4th holiday and Robert DeNiro and wife, Grace Hightower, stayed there at the end of June. The 4,157 square-foot condo features vaulted ceilings, private parking and a dedicated beach cabana. The listing broker is Chris Coleman of Saunders & Associates.

Countess Conundrum
Real Housewives of New York regular LuAnn de Lesseps is in trouble again. This time she is being sued by her ex-hubby, Count Alexandre de Lesseps, and their two kids over a breach in the couple’s divorce deal, according to TMZ. The reality TV star is allegedly accused of not creating a trust on her Sag Harbor house (currently for sale) that would entitle her children to the home.

Big Sale
Hall of Fame golfer Raymond Floyd has found a buyer for his three-acre Southampton property. Listed last summer for $25 million, the latest ask was $17.5 million. He purchased the spread in 1996 for $660,000. The 12 bedroom, 12 bath, shingle-style mansion measures in at 14,000 square-fee and features porches, decks, brick patios, gardens, pool, tennis court, gym and wine cellar. The listing agent was Harald Grant of Sotheby’s International Realty.

The Show Must Go On
After builder Ben Krupinski’s death in June, two of his longtime employees have taken over running his East Hampton company. Stratton Schellinger and Ray Harden worked their way up from construction jobs to leadership positions with the firm for 31 and 16 years respectively. Krupinski had previously laid the groundwork for the transition with the duo.

If at First
After other agencies tried their hands at selling the glamorous units at Sag Harbor’s Watchcase condos, it is now the turn of Sotheby’s International Realty, says Deborah Srb, an associate broker at the firm. The unsold units are undergoing renovations, a surprise considering that renowned interior designer Steven Gambrel did the original designs. There are still several condo units as well as 17 bungalows and townhouses left unsold. One 2,819 square-foot unit with two master suites takes over three floors in the former Bulova Watch factory.

Glam Prefab
Back in the mid-sixties renowned midcentury architect Andrew Geller designed a prefab house that was then marketed by Macy’s. The result: a more than 200-house community in Montauk called Leisurama. One of these historic relics, replete with cedar shingles and original wood paneling, has come on the market for $835,000. The 0.17 acre-parcel comes with cathedral ceiling, fireplace and the original bedroom furniture. The listing agent is Patti Leber of Town & Country Real Estate.

Seascape
The classic Montauk beach house of Edward Albee is currently on the market for the first time in more than 50 years. The property was purchased by the world-renowned “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf” playwright in the 1960s. Set on a private 2.8 +/- acres with approximately 200 feet of oceanfront, the estate offers a main house, guest house, and a pool house, plus pool and tennis court all overlooking the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. The listing broker is Paul Brennan of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. The sale will benefit the Edward Albee Foundation, which supports writers and artists through its residency program.

Jolly Folly
A two-acre Westhampton estate replete with decorative windmill and used as a backdrop in the film, Rocket Gibraltar starring Burt Lancaster, Patricia Clarkson, Kevin Spacey, and Macaulay Culklin, has hit the market. The stately 7,000 square-foot Beach Lane mansion was renovated in 2008 and features six bedrooms, six baths and two half baths. The upstairs master suite with balcony boasts two sets of French doors. Generously proportioned porches lead to a cabana, grand fireplace near the pool, and tennis court. Listed by Town & Country’s Patrick Galway.

Ch-Ch-Changes
A new team comprised of Marcy Braun and Michael Commander has joined Douglas Elliman Real Estate. After establishing her career in real estate in the 1980s and being considered a “power broker,” Marcy fell in love with the Hamptons. Her move to Elliman and the establishment of the Braun Team has allowed her to expand her ability to meet her client’s needs through the firm’s international presence, outstanding marketing resources and expansive referral network in luxury markets. Having lived on the East End for most of his life, Michael offers his customers and clients a personal insight into the local lifestyle. From restaurants to farm stands, and beaches to golf courses, Michael knows it all and happily shares it with the individuals he represents.

Associate real estate broker Diane Becker and her husband, real estate salesperson Robert S. Becker have joined Town & Country Real Estate’s Southampton Office as the Becker Team. Longtime Hamptons residents, the Beckers’ strong client/customer relationships, and in-depth knowledge of the local real estate market have made the process of buying and selling a pleasurable experience for their buyers and sellers for decades. Whether it is providing a surveyor, home inspector, or visits to town hall they take the time to ensure the buying/selling process is a smooth transition.”

A lifelong summer resident of the East End, Tony Marr – who has just joined the Sag Harbor office of Sotheby’s International Realty – moved to the Hamptons full-time in 2001. His mother owned restaurants in Southampton, Quogue and Westhampton Beach and his uncle started the Hampton Jitney (now operated by his cousin). With many years in the hospitality industry, Tony’s transition into real estate resulted from his desire to pair his service skills with his extensive knowledge of East End neighborhoods.

Katie Haggerty, a licensed real estate professional for more than 20 years, currently hangs her license in the Park Avenue and the East Hampton Offices of Halstead. Growing up, Katie was introduced to the world of real estate at a young age. Her father owned his own construction company and her mother practiced real estate tax law. It’s no surprise that Katie would be interested in selling real estate. Along the way, she started her own fashion design collection. Katie believes that real estate is not only the best investment financially, but for the lifetime of memories. Katie and her family are creating memories living on a boat in Montauk for the summer.