Real Estate Top 5: Magnificent Montauk
Montauk is home to the iconic George Washington-commissioned lighthouse, some of the most renowned fishing anywhere in the world, incomparable surfing, incredible restaurants and nightspots and a culture that embraces the best of bohemian and beach chic. It’s also home to a quintet of properties that, in encompassing endless ocean views, private settings and unimaginable amenities, showcase the best The End has to offer.
Do you want to live on Lake Montauk, or would you rather have a place on the ocean? Well, why settle for one or the other when you could have both? This piece of paradise (above), four waterfront parcels encompassing close to 7 acres, is situated right where Lake Montauk meets Long Island Sound. Look left, there are the blue waters of Lake Montauk; look right, there’s the endless expanse of the Atlantic. And in the evenings look straight ahead and you’ll see some of the best sunsets on the East Coast. Step across East Lake Drive and you’re immediately in Montauk Point State Park, so forget owning waterfront further out on Long Island: it isn’t for sale and never will be! And talk about docking rights—how about having your own marina, complete with a professional-grade boathouse? That little bit of heaven sits out at the end of your own 150-foot dock. And, while the property has some buildings on it, including a charming cottage of recent construction (future gatehouse?) and structures related to the location’s former use as a commercial fishing operation, the best thing is you’ll get to build the waterfront house of your dreams right here on the easternmost buildable lot in Dreamland.
Water, Water Everywhere
14 Maple Street
$14,900,000
Simply saying “water views” doesn’t do this one justice. When you’re in this newly built Montauk masterpiece, you feel like you’re actually over the water—the Atlantic Ocean is almost the ONLY view. Sit on the Carrera marble deck beside the saltwater infinity pool, and experience the stunning illusion that the deck and pool are a seamless continuation of the ocean itself. Continue from there to relax in the 8-person hot tub. Inside, the modern house furnishes every conceivable amenity: 7,300 square feet of living space encompassing five bedroom suites plus a children’s bunk room, three open, airy living spaces, a professional kitchen featuring two double-sized Sub Zero refrigerators and three Miele dishwashers along with a Carrera marble countertop, a 150-bottle wine cellar and a gym with custom floors. To top it all off, there’s a rooftop deck with a fire pit, a light-show feature, and—of course—more thrilling ocean views.
Pristine Privacy
Surfside Avenue
$7,700,000
When it comes to private retreats, it’s all about the location—breathtaking settings and views are mandatory. And then there’s the matter of keeping that location, well, private. In this case, both requirements have been met. With its stunning ocean views and its address a secret, this peaceful perch proves that, even as Montauk has become a favored summer stomping ground of the party set, there are still quiet hideaways with access to secluded beaches to be had. The house itself is casual and comfortable, and yet chic with a vaulted ceiling painted white and with wall-to-wall windows affording stunning 180-degree ocean views—including a view of one of Montauk’s legendary surf breaks. With its modern, open kitchen and spacious wraparound terrace porch, this airy cottage offers everything you could want in seaside living but without the high-profile ostentation sometimes encountered. Low-key living with a view of the break—it doesn’t get more Montauk than this.
Classic and Cool
Old Montauk Highway
$8,750,000
With a distance from the ocean measured in steps rather than feet, this waterfront cottage off of Old Montauk Highway combines the glory of ocean views with the prestige of a name architect. A classic from Robert A.M. Stern—one of the originators of the New Classical style—this sun-swept treasure features two levels of outdoor decks for enjoying the ocean breeze, a double-height, window-walled living room for basking in the sun, five bright bedrooms for lying in bed with a good book, and a sunny open kitchen, for a total of 2,700 square feet of living space. It’s set on an expansive 1.5-acre parcel, so there’s obviously room here for a tasteful enlargement of the house. Or maybe you’d prefer to keep it the way it is—classic, and just the right size for a cozy Montauk getaway.
Amenities at a Higher Level
30 Wills Point Road
$8,750,000
Hamptons luxury has moved east, as evidenced by this 5,000-square-foot stunner. The high, curved ceilings in the vast living room are paneled in dark wood, the massive fireplace fronted with stone and actual tree trunks. The brick-lined, stone-tiled European-style wine cellar features its own dining area. The master bathroom features top-of-the-line fixtures, including a freestanding bathtub and a walk-in shower. With five en suite bedrooms, a well-equipped gym, a gourmet kitchen, and a full bar/pub room, no comfort has been overlooked. Step outside and the wonder continues: spacious patios, a custom triangular pool, and a private walkway to a secluded beach. Then there’s the piece de resistance—the three-story gazebo, offering incredible views of Block Island Sound and the neighboring nature preserve.