The Hamptons may be known around the world as exclusive beach towns, but how do they differ from one another? Just in time for Hamptons buying busy season, we’re taking a look at the towns you may want to know and what’s available in each of them.
Up now: Sagaponack and Bridgehampton.
The incorporated village of Sagaponack and the unincorporated (and somewhat more rural) hamlet of Bridgehampton are both part of Southampton, on the east end of Long Island’s South Fork.
The two areas extend north from the pristine shoreline along some of the richest farmland on Long Island. Rolling vineyards and neat rows of vegetables are part of the scenery, as well as pastures where prized horses graze.
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Sagaponack was one of the first areas in Southhampton to be settled, attracting farmers, fishermen and whalers.
"The village of Sagaponack, often the first most expensive zip code in the country, is a small farming community along the Atlantic Ocean with few commercial establishments," said Diane Saatchi, an area real estate broker with Saunders Realty.
Bridgehampton is the more commercial of the two areas, and has a shopping center complete with a not-fancy-but-useful Kmart. "It has a significant business center along the Montauk Highway and several destination restaurants, including the French gourmet take-out shop Pierre’s and the famed Loaves and Fishes cookshop and caterer," said Ms. Saatchi.
Bridgehampton was named for the original bridge over Sagg Pond, which connected the early western settlements of Mecox and the eastern settlements of Sagaponack. In addition to agriculture, Bridgehampton has become well-known in equestrian circles and is home to the Hampton Classic, a world-renowned outdoor horse show.
Roger Waters of Pink Floyd has a mansion on Sagg Pond in Sagaponack and Christie Brinkley has an estate known as Tower Hill in Bridgehampton, but neighbors are not all rock stars and models.
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"In recent years, buyers in both Sagaponack and Bridgehampton have been largely from finance and other business fields. Ocean- and pond-front properties, large inland and those adjacent to reserve land, are the most sought after," Ms. Saatchi said.
According to the online real estate database site Zillow.com, the median sales price in Sagaponack was $4.65 million (as of November 2016). Zillow also reported that median home value in Bridgehampton was $1.745 million (November 2016), and that home values there have risen 5.2% over the past year. There are no signs of things slowing either; Zillow predicts values will rise 3.5% over the next year.
If you’re looking to take up residence in a charming village or tony hamlet, here are a few listings for consideration.
Sagaponack
131 Crestview Lane$38.995 Million
Take in the ocean views from your oceanfront perch high on a dune in this stunning 9,500-square-foot home set on 2.6 secluded acres. This seven bedroom has a chefs kitchen and plenty of space for entertaining. Outside there is a deck with water views, a pool in the manicured yard and a private staircase that leads to the ocean.
836 Sagg Main St. $16 million
Secluded and superb, this three-acre gated estate off of Sagg Main Street offers complete privacy. Built in 2004, the materials used—cedar shake roof, natural stone and cherry wood flooring—seamlessly blend traditional and contemporary. The two-story, 6,000-square-foot home has eight bedrooms (including a two-story master suite) and nine-and-one-half baths, plus a finished lower level. The manicured grounds thick with trees and a lily pond are enclosed on three sides and open on one end to offer views across rolling farmland. The yard has a heated gunite pool with a natural stone patio, and a hidden, vanishing edge hot tub and an all-weather tennis court.
99 Fairfield Pond Lane$14.995 million
Built in 2009, this 6,000-square-foot estate sits pretty on two pond-gazing acres just south of the highway. The comfortably arranged space has six en-suite bedrooms, a media room, formal living and dining rooms and a gourmet kitchen. Step outside to the heated gunite pool, and stroll down to the waterfront dock on Sagg Pond that’s just a short distance to the beach.
46 Masefield Close$11.995 million
Be the first to own this custom built, 8,000-square-foot home completed in 2015. It’s set on 1.24 acres in prestigious Sagaponack South next to a nature reserve. The eight-bedroom house has a professional kitchen, formal dining room and finished lower level with a large recreation area, wine cellar, gym, home theater room and plenty of storage. The manicured gardens have a heated gunite pool and spa
55 Farmview Drive$6.8 million
This classic cedar-shingled estate built in 1982 is perched on nearly two acres with mature trees landscaped to embrace the home, pool and tennis court with privacy. The two-story home has six bedrooms and five and one-half baths, and a state-of-the-art kitchen that’s open to the vaulted-ceiling dining and great rooms with wraparound windows overlooking the expansive gardens and a sunset vista over Sagaponack. For guests, there is a bedroom with its own office, a separate guest wing with an adjoining living room and kitchenette, and an attached two-car garage. Outside, relax on the covered patio, at the heated gunite pool or head to the tennis court for a friendly match.
Bridgehampton
228 Surfside Drive$15.9 million
This expansive, 12,000-square-foot home is designed to take advantage of sweeping views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Sagg Pond. Located across the street from the ocean, with deeded ocean beach rights, the estate is set on a 1.2-acre lot. There are nine bedrooms and ample space in the library, living room, large eat-in kitchen and den for entertaining. The lower level has a wine cellar, gym, media room and two staff bedrooms. Step outside to the patio, which has a heated gunite pool, pool house and private putting green.
678 Halsey Lane$12.495 million
Built in 2005, this classic, cedar-shingled six-bedroom country escape sits on two meticulously landscaped acres on a prestigious lane south of the highway. The double-height foyer opens on one side to a living room with fireplace, coffered ceiling and French doors to the grounds, and on the other side a formal dining room. Multiple glass doors lead to a covered stone patio overlooking the pool and grounds, plus a three-season room with stone flooring, fireplace and radiant heat. The finished lower level has a media room, mirrored gym, climate-controlled wine cellar, pub with wet bar, billiard table and multiple storage closets. Outside, there is a heated gunite pool, renovated pool house with full bath and changing room, tennis court, playground, vegetable garden and a detached garage with carriage house above.
536 Ocean Road$11.495 million
Built in 2007, this 10,000 square foot and cedar shingled gambrel-style home is set on one acre and located on the most desirable street in Bridgehampton. This home is full of custom details, such as Australian Cypress hardwood flooring throughout, and has seven bedrooms en suite, a generous chef's kitchen, home theater and generous space for entertaining. The outdoor living space includes a saltwater gunite pool with Jacuzzi, bluestone terraces, a fully furnished pool house with wet bar, full bath, kitchenette, changing room, stone fireplace, outdoor stainless steel barbecue and large covered porches.
5 Polo Court$8.495 million
Horse enthusiasts will feel right at home in this private equestrian enclave. Built in 2015 by the Farrell Building Company, the nine-bedroom home is situated on two full acres in the heart of horse country and includes its own reserve. The first floor has an open floor plan with a great room and den, both with fireplaces, and a sleek stainless steel eat-in kitchen. The double height foyer is flanked by a dining room, a glass wine cellar and a large media room. Outside there are two covered porches, a sunken tennis court and gunite pool with spa.
351 Jobs Lane$6.45 million
This post-modern shingled home set on over one acre is less than a half-mile away from ocean beaches. The 3,000-square-foot home has four bedrooms and four-and-one-half baths, two living rooms, one with a fireplace and an eat-in kitchen with separate dining. The meticulously landscaped grounds have an oversized heated gunite pool with extensive deck and patio areas. The comfortable home is move-in ready, or the lot offers opportunities for a new build.