April 12, 2021

100 mixed-income units next to the New York Botanical Garden available from $1,045/month

Applications are currently being accepted for 101 mixed-income apartments at a newly constructed rental in the Bronx. Located at 2885 Marion Avenue, the building, known as Bronxview, is located just a few blocks from the New York Botanical Garden and Fordham University's campus. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 50, 60, 90, and 110 percent of the area median income (AMI) can apply for the units, ranging from $1,045/month two-bedrooms to $2,159/month three-bedrooms.
Do you qualify?
April 12, 2021

$7.5M Upper East Side townhouse was once home to abstract painter Mark Rothko

Though Mark Rothko is best known for having a studio down on the Bowery, at the end of his life, he lived in a prestigious townhouse on the Upper East Side, where he put a studio on the top floor. Located at 118 East 95th Street, the beautiful four-bedroom home just hit the market for $7,495,000. It has elegant details all throughout, as well as an extra-large, enchanted garden.
See it all
April 9, 2021

Feel like you’re in the Napa Valley at this 86-acre NJ estate, asking $5.9M

A mansion, four "barns," a resort-like pool and jacuzzi, a full basketball court--these are just the main attractions at this $5,900,000 property located in Holland Township, New Jersey. The 86-acre estate feels like it's been plucked out of the Napa Valley, with its Tuscan style and rolling grounds. We're pretty certain it doesn't come with the insane sports car and classic car collections (there's even a retro mechanic shop!), but for the price of a Tribeca loft, this is quite the home.
Take a tour here
April 9, 2021

‘Whispering Libraries’ broadcasts music and poetry from hidden outdoor speakers across Brooklyn

While the city's public libraries remain open for grab-and-go lobby service only, a new initiative brings poetry and literature right to you. The Brooklyn Public Library this month launched Whispering Libraries, an outdoor audio experience featuring a collection of oral histories, podcast excerpts, spoken word, and more, broadcast from hidden speakers at branches across the borough. The curated playlists can be heard up to five times per day at 10 select branches.
Get the details
April 9, 2021

In Brownsville, 106 affordable apartments come online, starting at $362/month

Courtesy of NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development Right off the New Lots Avenue station on the L train, a new rent-stabilized building has launched a mixed-income affordable housing lottery for those earning 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 percent of the area median income. Located at 96 New Lots Avenue, the site is part of the larger Ebenezer Plaza project that will bring four towers to two sites on the block. The available units range from $362/month studios to $2,037/month three-bedrooms.
See if you qualify
April 8, 2021

Prospect Park’s colorful Concert Grove Pavilion with star-shaped stained-glass skylight reopens

After being closed to the public for nearly seven years, the historic Concert Grove Pavilion in Prospect Park reopened this week following a restoration. Designed in 1874 by Calvert Vaux, who co-designed the Brooklyn park with Frederick Law Olmsted, the stunning structure features colorfully painted wood ceilings and iron columns, ornate wooden trim, and a star-patterned stained-glass dome.
See more here
April 8, 2021

This tiny house in Red Hook feels like a California surf shack for $1.6M

True to its Red Hook roots, this newly reimagined property is completely unique, blending laid-back vibes reminiscent of a California surf shack with contemporary design and industrial touches. The house itself is tiny, with just two rooms and a bathroom, but there's a separate detached worked studio, a roof deck, and an outdoor oasis complete with two decks, a covered patio, and even a fire pit. This magical home is now on the market for $1,595,000.
Take the full tour
April 8, 2021

See inside the New York Botanical Garden’s blockbuster Yayoi Kusama exhibition

This Saturday, April 10, the New York Botanical Garden's hotly-anticipated exhibit KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature will open to the public and remain on view through October 31, 2021. The blockbuster show dedicated to legendary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama was originally planned to open in May 2020, but of course, was postponed due to the pandemic. Among the works on view are Kusama's famous polka-dot pumpkins, her larger-than-life flowers, and the famous Narcissus Garden, composed of 1,400 stainless steel spheres floating on water.
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April 8, 2021

Condo sales relaunch at 200 Amsterdam after court delays

Sales have resumed at 200 Amsterdam Avenue, the 52-story Upper West Side tower that has faced a series of legal challenges since 2017. Developed in partnership by SJP Properties and Mitsui Fudosan, the building is 668 feet tall, the tallest in the neighborhood. The tower nearly lost that superlative after a judge in February 2020 ruled that as many as 20 floors may have to be chopped from the building for violating zoning rules. But last month, the New York State Appellate Court reversed that decision and declared the developer's permit valid.
Details here
April 8, 2021

Historic woodwork is everywhere you look at this $3M Upper East Side maisonette

Visions of a medieval castle or Bavarian lodge come to mind when looking at the incredible woodwork throughout this Yorkville maisonette. But all of the hand-carved wood finishes and ceilings were designed by former Columbia University campus architect and architectural history professor Dean Telfer. Located at the pre-war co-op 520 East 86th Street, the three-bedroom duplex is on the market for $2,995,000.
See the whole place
April 7, 2021

The history behind NYC’s iconic Anthora coffee cups

In a city full of symbolism, from bright yellow taxis to black-and-white cookies, New Yorkers also find comfort and nostalgia in a certain cardboard coffee cup. Known as the Anthora, the blue-and-white drinking vessel first became an icon of New York City in 1963 when Leslie Buck, a Czech-American immigrant, designed the first-ever to-go coffee cup to appeal to Greek-owned coffee shops and diners. With its customer-friendly “We Are Happy to Serve You” inscription and Greek-style letters, the Anthora has become an important part of the city's identity.
The whole history here
April 7, 2021

NYC beaches will open for Memorial Day Weekend

After a shortened season in 2020, New York City's public pools and beaches will open on time this summer, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Wednesday. All eight city beaches will open for the season starting Memorial Day Weekend on Saturday, May 29, with 48 outdoor pools welcoming swimmers beginning on June 26. Last year, beaches and pools did not open for swimming until July 1 and August 1, respectively, because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Find out more
April 7, 2021

Luxury senior living tower on the Upper East Side offers a sky lounge, fine dining, and more

Maplewood Senior Living is known for its upscale senior living residences, but its newest brand, Inspīr, was designed specifically for urban markets. The brand’s flagship senior living residence, Inspīr Carnegie Hill, is located on the Upper East Side at 1802 Second Avenue at 93rd Street. It recently opened, offering residents the "Ultimate New York City Experience," which includes partnerships with local cultural institutions and wellness providers, as well as with the geriatrics program at Mt. Sinai. In addition, amenities at the 23-story tower include an open-air SkyPark, fitness center, heated saltwater pool, and daily meals from two fine dining establishments.
See the whole place
April 7, 2021

Pop-up pools proposed for NYC’s open streets this summer

Last year, New York City public beaches and pools did not open until July because of the coronavirus pandemic. This year, city comptroller and mayoral candidate Scott Stringer wants to make sure New Yorkers from all boroughs can enjoy the summer season by making pools, beaches, and the city's waterfront more accessible. In a proposal announced on Tuesday, Stringer called on the city to bring a series of pop-up pools to Open Streets and vacant lots in neighborhoods that lack green space.
More here
April 6, 2021

Mobile vaccine bus launches in New York City this week

As of today, all New Yorkers ages 16+ are eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine, and one of the ways the city is making the process easier is through a new mobile vaccine bus. The bus can administer 150-200 doses per day and will be focused on NYC's most vulnerable residents. To that end, during its first week, the bus will focus on vaccinating restaurant and delivery workers. Currently, the city's mobile vaccine fleet includes 20 vans.
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April 6, 2021

Vaccinations should come with meal, museum, and MetroCard vouchers, mayoral candidate proposes

New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Scott Stringer on Monday proposed a new way to give a "booster shot" to the city's economy. The program would give New Yorkers receiving a coronavirus vaccine shot "VaxPacks," a swag bag of vouchers for local businesses, cultural venues, and a two-trip MetroCard. Stringer said the initiative encourages vaccinations and supports small businesses, while also increasing subway and bus ridership, which has not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels.
Details here
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April 6, 2021

Central Park’s iconic Tavern on the Green will reopen after 13 months

All photos courtesy of Tavern on the Green After temporarily closing 13 months ago due to COVID-19, Central Park's iconic restaurant Tavern on the Green will reopen on April 29, with reservations opening today. Guests can enjoy indoor dining, which will be limited to 50 percent capacity, outdoor dining, and a new to-go window perfect for park-goers or at-home diners. "Tavern is more than just a restaurant, it is a place for New Yorkers to unwind, relax in the heart of Central Park, and feel some kind of normalcy again," said co-owner Jim Caiola.
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April 6, 2021

In Union City, a huge Soho-style loft for the NJ price of $1.27M

Bordering Hoboken, Weehawken, and Jersey City Heights, this loft building in Union City was built in the 1930s as a garment factory. Today, it offers Soho-style loft apartments, but at much more New Jersey prices. Asking $1,275,000, this sprawling 4,220-square-foot condo was recently remodeled to take advantage of historic architectural details like exposed brick, wooden beams, and massive windows through which there are views of the NYC skyline.
Take a tour
April 5, 2021

$1.4M Sutton Place co-op comes with doors from the Waldorf Astoria

This two-bedroom home at the classic pre-war co-op 2 Sutton Place is asking $1,395,000. Its most distinguishable feature is the black lacquered closet doors that were purchased at auction from the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. It also has classic details like coffered ceilings, built-ins, moldings, herringbone wood floors, and a marble wood-burning fireplace.
Look around
April 5, 2021

Phillips auction house readies to open white-cube location at 432 Park

British auction house Phillips is getting ready for its June move into the white, glassy cube base of supertall 432 Park Avenue. Designed by studioMDA’s Markus Dochantschi, the 35,000-square-foot concourse space at 56th Street will be the only Manhattan auction room visible from the street, breaking down "the classical typology of the 'auction behind closed doors,'" according to a press release. It will have a grand auction room, exhibition galleries, viewing rooms, and a VIP mezzanine.
More info here
April 5, 2021

For $695K, an Upper West Side one-bedroom off Central Park with views of Billionaires’ Row

It feels like you can practically reach out and touch all the mega-tall towers along 57th Street from the windows of this Upper West Side apartment. Located at 20 West 72nd Street, a pre-war co-op off Central Park, the one-bedroom home is a comfortable 650 square feet and is super bright and modern. It's asking $695,000.
Look around
April 2, 2021

For just $399K, an oceanfront one-bedroom in East Quogue

When we're talking about oceanfront property in the Hamptons, we're usually in the four-million ballpark, not four-hundred-thousand. But this gorgeous home is in the slightly off-the-beaten-path location of East Quogue, and it's a co-op unit in the Round Dune complex. Built in 1965, these four round buildings provide residents with a heated in-ground pool and 24-hour concierge service, not to mention direct beach access. This one-bedroom unit has incredible views of Shinnecock Bay and an easy, breezy style.
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April 2, 2021

Transformative East Village drag nightclub Pyramid Club closes for good

After 42 years, the East Village's legendary Pyramid Club has closed permanently, as was first reported by EV Grieve. The club at 101 Avenue A is "credited with creating the East Village drag and gay scenes of the 1980s, launching a new politically-conscious form of drag performance art in the early 1980s," according to Andrew Berman of Village Preservation, and is the place where celebrated performers such as Lady Bunny and RuPaul got their start. The Pyramid Club has remained closed since the pandemic began, as nightclubs were never permitted to reopen until now, but the burden of the past year made the owners decide to shut down for good.
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April 2, 2021

Governors Island reopens May 1 with new ferry stops and art exhibits

Following a shortened season last year, Governors Island will reopen for the entire six months of the 2021 season starting May 1. Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Trust for Governors Island announced on Thursday that the 172-acre site will return to its "pre-pandemic season calendar," with dozens of art exhibitions and cultural programs offered through October 31. For the first time ever, ferries to Governors Island will run from two stops in Brooklyn on weekends, at Brooklyn Bridge Park and Atlantic Basin in Red Hook, in addition to daily service from Manhattan.
Find out more
April 2, 2021

Classic-seven at the El Dorado has full Central Park views for $5.75M

The iconic El Dorado at 300 Central Park West has attracted celebrities such as Alec Baldwin, Moby, Bono, Ron Howard, and Bruce Willis. And it's for good reason. The Upper West Side co-op is not only one of the most exclusive in the city, but it provides some of the best views you can get of Central Park. This four-bedroom unit that just hit the market for $5,750,000 is no exception; it offers full views of the reservoir and park beyond. It's also got a classic-seven layout, perfect for someone seeking out that old-New York feel.
Look around
April 1, 2021

Smorgasburg to open new flea market at former Hester Street Fair site

Outdoor food market operator Smorgasburg announced on Wednesday that it will open a new flea market at a location already familiar to most New Yorkers. Hester Flea will set up shop on the Lower East Side at Hester and Essex Streets, the same place where the Hester Street Fair operated for the last decade, organizers said in an email. As Curbed first reported, the Seward Park Co-op board did not renew the longtime LES fair's lease after their agreement ended last year.
Get the details
April 1, 2021

It was illegal to play baseball in NYC on Sunday until 1919

Baseball may be a long-standing tradition in New York City, but not so very long ago that seemingly innocent pastime was illegal on Sundays. As one of the infamous "blue laws" on the state books–that other beloved NYC pastime, shopping, was illegal as well–the ban was part of a sweeping statute from colonial times called the Statute for Suppressing Immorality. Enacted in 1778, it was the first state "Sabbath law." Section 2145 of the revised New York State Penal code of 1787 outlawed all public sports on Sunday–so as not to "interrupt the repose of the Sabbath"–and wasn't repealed until 1919.
No movies, either
April 1, 2021

Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel opens April 9 with advance reservations

After never being able to reopen last year, Coney Island's Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park will open for the 2021 season on Friday, April 9, the date on which the state said outdoor amusement parks and rides can reopen at 33 percent capacity. For now, the Wonder Wheel will only be open on weekends from 11am to 6pm with advance reservations (there will also be a limited number of standby tickets).
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April 1, 2021

Reclaim the Roaring 20s this summer at the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island

Obviously, the start of this decade did not go according to plan. But this summer, as New York City returns in all of its vaccinated glory, there's a chance to reclaim some of what was lost in 2020. The annual Prohibition Era-inspired Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island is taking place in June, for one weekend full of 1920s music, dancing, vintage cocktails, and flapper fashion.
Learn more
April 1, 2021

$3M Brooklyn Heights loft has a roof deck overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge

Everything at this Brooklyn Heights loft is a little bit extra--the 18-foot beamed ceiling, a functional Olympic wood-burning stove, and, best of all, a roof deck overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge, New York Harbor, and Manhattan skyline. Located at 8 Old Fulton Street, the two-bedroom co-op is asking $2,999,999.
See more
March 31, 2021

The 10 best plants for bathrooms

Plants are an easy and inexpensive way to spruce up any room in a home, and this rings especially true in the bathroom where design choices typically don't involve much more than the color of one's bathmat. However, keeping greenery alive and flourishing in a room where temperatures can shift from cool and comfortable to hot and steamy in just minutes can be difficult. But don't be deterred from growing a green canopy above your shower. Ahead, 6sqft rounds up 10 robust plants that enjoy high humidity, warm temperatures, and bright or low light.
10 plants to add to your bathroom here
March 31, 2021

$950M South Bronx development Bankside set to open first residential tower this year

The most expensive private development in the Bronx continues to progress. Brookfield Properties announced this month that the final tower at the phase one site of Bankside, a seven-tower waterfront complex in Mott Haven, has topped out. The $950 million mixed-use project takes up two parcels on either side of the Third Avenue Bridge on the Harlem River. Third at Bankside, located at 2401 Third Avenue, has officially topped out and developers have broken ground at Lincoln at Bankside, located at 101 Lincoln Avenue.
Find out more
March 31, 2021

$4.75M Tribeca loft is a contemporary glass box with harbor views

Tribeca's 88 Laight Street is known as The Glass Condominium, an obvious name when you see this incredible three-bedroom unit. Asking $4,745,000, the ultra-contemporary loft has a double-height, floor-to-ceiling wall of glass that overlooks the Jersey City skyline and New York Harbor and provides skyline views stretching as far as Hudson Yards. In addition to taking in the sights from the spacious interiors, the home provides two private terraces.
Check it out
March 30, 2021

$2.5M penthouse feels like a downtown loft on the Upper East Side

The open layout, high ceilings, massive windows, sculptural staircase--all of these elements make this Upper East Side penthouse feel more like a downtown pad. Located at the co-op 165 East 60th Street, the two-bedroom duplex is currently on the market for $2,495,000. But perhaps the best part about this home is the terrace with an outdoor kitchen that overlooks the neighborhood.
Have a look around
March 30, 2021

Tribeca Film Festival returns this summer with 12 days of outdoor screenings in every borough

The Tribeca Film Festival first launched in 2002 following the September 11 terrorist attacks, part of an effort to fuel Lower Manhattan's comeback. Now after a devastating year for New York, the film festival hopes to bring the city together once again for its 20th anniversary. From June 9 to June 20, there will be 12 days of outdoor, in-person screenings with events taking place in every borough.
Find out more
March 30, 2021

West Elm opens first NYC outlet store at Industry City

Furniture and decor retailer West Elm on Monday opened its first outlet store in New York City. The store occupies 15,000 square feet in Sunset Park's Industry City complex, which already houses the company's massive "Makers Studio" workshop. The six million square foot Brooklyn campus is home to a number of furniture and design outlets, including ABC Carpet + Home and Design Within Reach.
Get the details
March 30, 2021

96 affordable apartments available for seniors in the South Bronx

A lottery opened this week for nearly 100 affordable units set aside for seniors at a newly constructed building in the South Bronx. Located at 1080 Washington Avenue in Morrisania, the development features a 5,400-square-foot community facility space, on-site social services, fitness center, laundry, and a sunroom with plantings. Applicants must have at least one household member who is 62 years of age or older, qualify for Section 8 benefits, and earn $51,200 or less, annually. Eligible New Yorkers will pay 30 percent of their income for the studio and one-bedroom apartments.
Do you qualify?
March 29, 2021

All New Yorkers will be eligible for the COVID vaccine on April 6th

In a press release today, Governor Cuomo announced that New Yorkers ages 30+ will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine as of Tuesday, March 30th, and those ages 16+ on April 6th. This means New York will make eligibility universal nearly a month earlier than President Biden's May 1 deadline.
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March 29, 2021

What will post-pandemic real estate look like in NYC? Experts weigh in

A year ago, there was so much uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and politics, which made real estate somewhat of a gamble, at least in hard-hit New York City. When it came to the headlines, it seemed all anyone could talk about was the mass exodus from the city. Home prices were soaring in the surrounding suburbs, with stories of lines around the block for open houses and bidding wars. But in the city, vacancies were at an unprecedented high. A year later, though, and a quarter of New Yorkers are vaccinated, and we're starting to see "normal" life resurface. To understand how the residential real estate market is rebounding, we spoke to experts in the field, including brokers, developers, and data gurus, to get their thoughts on timing, prices, the luxury market, surrounding suburbs, and more.
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March 29, 2021

A memorial honoring Hurricane Maria victims opens in New York City

A memorial honoring the thousands of victims of Hurricane Maria, which struck Puerto Rico in 2017, opened in Battery Park City last week. Designed by Puerto Rico-based architect Segundo Cardona and artist Antonio Martorell, the memorial, "My Cry Into the World," features an ascending glass spiral that evokes both a hurricane and a shell, symbolizing protection for "living organisms against a hostile environment." The memorial is located at the overlook near Chambers Street.
More this way
March 29, 2021

New York launches digital COVID-19 vaccination pass as part of reopening effort

New York on Friday became the first state to officially launch a digital passport for the coronavirus, which involves a smartphone app that shows proof of an individual's vaccination or recent negative test. Developed in partnership with IBM, the "Excelsior Pass" is designed like a mobile airline boarding pass and is part of the state's plan to reopen businesses, entertainment venues, and wedding reception halls. Following a pilot program tested at a Brooklyn Nets game at the Barclays Center and at a New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden earlier this year, the app will expand to smaller arts and culture venues and theaters on April 2, the same day live performances can return to New York.
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March 29, 2021

This $2,662/month apartment at Bjarke Ingels’ Harlem rental has robotic furniture

East Harlem rental The Smile is noteworthy for a lot of things--its design by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), a fitness center with spa-like amenities, and the rooftop complete with a plunge pool, multiple whirlpools, and an outdoor movie theater. And now, a handful of its units have further bragging rights, as they've been outfitted with a modular furniture system by Bumblebee Spaces. Using a robotic system that's affixed to the ceiling, the bed, desk, and storage elements can all be easily summoned or stowed-away into the ceiling. The unit is actually asking $3,550 a month, but with four months free on a 16-month lease, the net effective rent is $2,662.
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March 26, 2021

Broadway stars to perform in NYC rooftop concert series

Welcoming back the return of live performance in New York City is an outdoor concert series featuring Broadway stars. Next month, ticket-selling company TodayTix will host in-person performances by Lauren Patten and Derek Klena from Jagged Little Pill, Ana Villafañe from On Your Feet!, and The Lion King's Bradley Gibson on the rooftop of a Manhattan building. The shows mark one of the first live ticketed events to take place in the city after over a year.
Get the details
March 26, 2021

There are so many cast-iron details to love at this $2.5M Soho artist’s loft

Original brickwork, tin ceilings, cast-iron columns, exposed ductwork, massive windows--these details can be found at almost every cast-iron loft in Soho, but at this one, they are absolutely everywhere. And the views looking across at the historic district's other cast-iron buildings is really remarkable. Located at the co-op 132 Greene Street, the artist's loft has two bedrooms and is asking $2,495,000.
Look around
March 26, 2021

Lottery opens for ‘affordable’ units at luxury Union Square rental, from $2,523/month

Here's an opportunity to live in a luxury Manhattan rental at a discount. A housing lottery launched this month for a dozen middle-income units at One Union Square South, a Related Companies-developed building most recognizable for the massive electronic clock art piece on its facade. While it's hard to call this lottery affordable, the available apartments do offer significant savings compared to the building's market-rate units. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which include $2,523/month studios, $2,700/month one-bedrooms, and $3,235/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
March 26, 2021

Get a sneak peek of the Waldorf Astoria’s restored Grand Ballroom

It's been four years since the Waldorf Astoria closed its doors for a restoration and reimagination that will bring 375 luxury condos to the storied landmark. And since then, the team has been teasing out renderings of what we can expect when the Waldorf finally reopens in early 2023. The latest is a look at the Grand Ballroom, one of the largest in NYC (it can accommodate more than 1,000 people) that's hosted the likes of JFK, Queen Elizabeth II, and Grace Kelly. The Art Deco space is an interior landmark, and the restoration will return it to its 1931 splendor.
More details and views here
March 26, 2021

Mary Tyler Moore’s former upstate estate turned equestrian center asks $3.9M

An 85-acre estate with one of the best equestrian facilities in Dutchess County is on the market for $3.95 million. Not only is the property at 23 Altamont Road in Millbrook a haven for horse lovers, but part of it also once belonged to late actress Mary Tyler Moore. Now known as Grace Hill Farm, the estate includes a barn with an indoor heated arena, a 14-stall stable, a viewing lounge, an outdoor jumping area and field, as well as a four-bedroom farmhouse.
See inside
March 25, 2021

$2M East Hampton house sits 80 feet above sea level on Three Mile Harbor

As the listing states, "on those perfect clear Hamptons summer days," you'll get views of Three Mile Harbor, Gardiners Bay, and even the Long Island Sound to Connecticut from this home perched 80 feet above sea level. The interiors have a contemporary beach feel, with wood-paneled beamed ceilings and large picture windows, and it includes a two-car attached garage, multiple terraces, an 11x40 heated pool, and a pool house.
See it all

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