Realty Check

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

Welcome to August, when the summer reaches peak crazy! Traffic, heat waves, fighting for a beach parking spot: thank goodness there’s plenty of Rosé to wash our cares away. We say, if it gets too hot, immerse yourself in your pool and refuse to exit until Labor Day!

Let’s Talk Style
Over the last few weeks, Hamptons folks have been discussing an interview in the Times with self-styled Prewar Eva, who is known as Eva Alt, a real estate agent when off Instagram. We found her ideas about current local architectural trends interesting.

According to Eva, recently there’s been a noticeable shift in taste — finally. The era of the generic, soulless, white-box “Frankenmansion” (you know the one: part Apple store, part suburban bank branch) might not be completely over, but the bloom is definitely off that sterile rose. Buyers are now gravitating toward homes that pretend to have history, even if they were built last Tuesday. Sag Harbor, in particular, is seeing some eye-popping trades that suggest we’re crawling back to something resembling the Hamptons’ original architectural DNA —actual character.

So what’s the new aesthetic obsession, according to Eva? Gone are the cold, minimalist shells. Enter Venetian plaster, antiques, and a “Steven Gambrel meets rich-grandma-in-Europe” kind of vibe. Think reclaimed wood smashed up against marble in a way that says, “Yes, I hired a designer.” These people want layers. Also, thanks to inflation, tariffs, and the general pain of permitting anything in the Hamptons, everyone wants a turnkey. Building your own dream home? Only if your dream is to spend the next three years begging the zoning board for mercy.

Cozy luxury—think Nancy Meyers, Martha Stewart, and Ina Garten—is in. Younger buyers — sick of pop-up shops and overpriced açaí bowls — are romanticizing the Hamptons of yore, when things were charming instead of curated. Add in the influx of new high-end vintage and antique and suddenly everyone wants “patina” with their mortgage.

As for layout, the giant open-concept everything is quietly being put out to pasture. People are rediscovering the magic of… doors. Separate rooms. Spaces where not everyone is talking over each other while the fridge beeps and someone’s on a Zoom call.

Big Deal in Manalapan!
Down in South Florida, Joe Farrell just cashed out in Manalapan— selling an oceanfront parcel at 1140 South Ocean Boulevard for a cool $55.5 million. That’s right, he barely broke ground before someone decided they had to have it. The renderings were ready, the compound was conceived, and then — poof — sold. Luxury broker Margit Brandt of Premier Estate Properties handled both sides of the deal.

BIG DEAL IN MANALAPAN Represented by Margit Brandt of Premier Estate Properties Photo: The Farrell Companies

Farrell had big plans because that’s how he rolls. He envisioned a contemporary estate stretching across 150 feet of oceanfront, with 23,000 square feet of living space split between a 19,000-square-foot main house and a 4,000-square-foot “guest house” (because your guests need four bedrooms and their own pool). There was going to be a pickleball court — because it’s 2025 — an eight-car garage, and a dock.

Margit refers to Manalapan as almost a “sister town” to Palm Beach, citing recent high-profile investments—such as Larry Ellison’s $277 million acquisition of  L’Eau—as a sign that the area continues to attract ultra-high net worth buyers. She states that Manalapan has comparable luxury to Palm Beach, with added privacy and more competitive pricing.

Farrell acquired the property for $32.5 million in January 2024 and quickly repositioned it with new architectural renderings and a $95 million asking price. The property was sold prior to the commencement of construction or permitting. The buyer remains undisclosed at press time.

MCM in Sag Harbor
Sally Hershberger, the woman who gave Meg Ryan her famous shag is parting ways with her California-cool mid-century modern in the hills of Sag Harbor. The price tag? A very casual $2.995 million.

Located at 75 Island View Drive West, this 1972-built home has been gut-renovated. The CeeJack Team at Compass is representing the listing, which features abundant natural light streaming through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. Very California-like indeed.

MCM IN SAG HARBOR Represented by The CeeJack Team of Compass

At 1,850 square feet, the house somehow fits three bedrooms, two “Zen-like” bathrooms, and a sleek kitchen. The home has already graced the pages of Elle, which tells you everything you need to know about its priorities. Outside, over 2,000 square feet of decking and patio space wrap around a pool, surrounded by lush landscaping. There’s also a raised deck — perfect for sunbathing and entertaining.

And if you’re too exhausted to furnish it yourself, don’t worry — Sally’s furniture is available, too, in case you’ve always dreamed of sitting on the same couch as someone who once touched Tom Cruise’s hair.

Indoor-Outdoor Living in Water Mill
Another day, another Hamptons stunner stepping into the spotlight—this one aiming to top the neighbors with a little more space and a little more shine. This time, it’s a $7.495 million house on Deerfield Road in Water Mill — brought to you by Adam Hofer and Jing Sun of Douglas Elliman and designed by GlenValley Builders.

Set at the end of a long and scenic driveway, this 8,800-square-foot residence is really leaning into that “indoor-outdoor living” buzzword. It boasts eight bedrooms, nine bathrooms, and three half-baths.

INDOOR/OUTDOOR LIVING IN WATER MILL Represented by Adam Hofer and Jing Sun of Douglas Elliman

The first floor kicks things off with a double-sided fireplace — so you can feel cozy while forgetting which living room you’re in. The kitchen, naturally, has a massive center island — perfect for staging charcuterie boards you bought at Citarella.  Upstairs, five en suite bedrooms await, including the primary suite, which comes with its own terrace for contemplative morning espresso shots overlooking the heated pool. Each bathroom offers its own vibe — glass showers, soaking tubs, and more marble than an ancient Roman bathhouse.

Outside, the house gets serious about “summer vibes.” The bluestone patio leads to a 20-by-45-foot heated pool with spa, sun deck, and motorized covers. There’s also an outdoor kitchen with a built-in gas grill and a covered dining area— in case you want to show off your $7.5M flex over lobster rolls and rosé.

Montauk Minimalist 
Designer Esha Soni—celebrated for her sculptural handbags and less-is-more style—is parting with her dreamy Montauk escape, now on the market for $4.75 million. Equal parts home and creative studio, this four-bedroom, four-bath minimalist beauty is soaked in natural light, full of intentional details, and framed by panoramic water views so perfect they almost look filtered.

MONTAUK MINIMALIST Represented by Nicole and Zachary Tunick of Douglas Elliman

Featured in a Bergdorf Goodman studio visit earlier this year, and now listed with Nicole and Zachary Tunick of Douglas Elliman, this one-of-a-kind Montauk hideaway has some very serious style cred to go along with unparalleled tranquility.

Ch Ch Changes
Douglas Elliman is pleased to announce that Jon Vaccari has joined Noble Black & Partners, expanding the team’s strategic presence across the Hamptons. Based in the Southampton office, Vaccari brings a distinctive combination of real estate expertise and design sophistication, joining from Hedgerow Exclusive Properties.

“Jon’s design eye and market insight are unparalleled. He shares our ethos of diligence, integrity, and discretion—qualities that define our approach to serving discerning buyers and sellers,” said Noble Black.

With a career spanning New York, Miami, and New Orleans, Vaccari’s background in advertising, property development, and historic restoration has shaped a refined, client-focused approach. His award-winning design work has appeared in Architectural Digest, Veranda, and Departures. A longtime resident of Sag Harbor, Vaccari offers a deep understanding of the East End’s architectural character—balanced by his most cherished role: devoted husband and father of two.