South Fork Dream Home: the grandness of Georgica on our minds

One of East Hampton’s great estates is on the market, offering potential buyers the opportunity to live like the great families of the Gilded Age. 

Built in 1906 on a nearly three-acre high-elevation parcel in the Georgica section of East Hampton, the grounds include a pool house doubling as a guest house, gunite pool, in-ground sauna, tennis court, expansive lawns and mature English gardens and a three-car garage with a gym.

Cedar-shingled in the traditional summer “cottage” style, the 6,481-square-foot, eight-bedroom house has been meticulously restored, with renovations that update the home with modern conveniences while respecting the historic architectural bones.

“It’s an estate you don’t find every day: It checks all the boxes and it’s turn key – a magical story-tale property that is very authentic,” says Martha Gundersen, the Douglas Elliman agent listing the property.  

Even arriving at the home is a grand experience, with its setback from the road, a stately gated entryway, an expansive front lawn and a long circular driveway. It sets the stage for what’s within. 

The home is entered through a covered porch with decorative pillars, an arched ceiling of bead board and leaded glass sidelights on either side of the door. To the left of the grand entryway is the nearly 800-square-foot living room that leads to a 312-square-foot screened porch; to the right are the other common rooms: a den/family room, dining, kitchen and utility areas, including a mudroom with Spanish tiles and a utility room with a large farmhouse sink and counters that make a perfect station for cutting and arranging flowers. There are two powder rooms on the first level. 

The formal living room features a Venetian plastered walls, a stone fireplace, a long banquette seat in a multi-paned window alcove, exposed beamed ceilings and three sets of transomed French doors leading to the back patio. Doors on either side of the fireplace lead to the screened porch. The casual family room has a more midcentury modern feel with light-colored wood-paneled walls. The floors are hardwood, as they are throughout the home.

Chefs — either those living here or catering professionals for hire — will find the 408-square-foot kitchen completely outfitted to their needs with a double sink, a separate prep sink in the island, and top-line appliances by Gaggenau, Sub-Zero and Miele. “No money was spared” says Gundersen. 

Between the counter and the large center island, there’s plenty of work space. White-country style cabinets are topped with marble counters and feature brass hardware, and one section was designed as a coffee station. The kitchen and dining areas are extended to the outside to an expansive pergola-covered patio with built-in outdoor grill.

A brick fireplace anchors the dining room, which also features picture-frame molding, an attractive multi-paned bay window and a butler’s pantry offering additional storage and a convenience bar. 

The second floor is devoted to five bedrooms, including the primary, and an office with a built-in work area. The bedrooms — two of which are ensuite — range in size from 113 to 234 square feet; the other two share a bathroom accessed in the hallway. The primary suite offers more than 700 square feet, and features a wood-burning fireplace, with French doors on either side leading to a 318-square feet balcony and a large custom walk-in closet. The bathroom features two marble-topped sinks, a soaking tub and steam shower. 

“All the bathrooms have been renovated with tasteful tiles and lights,” Gundersen says. “The lighting in this house is curated: It’s jewelry of the rooms, and this owner has very refined taste that is appropriate to the house.”

With 1,156 square feet of finished space, the third floor offers two more bedrooms and full baths, an entertainment room and a large hallway walk-in closet. 

But, we’re not out of bedrooms yet! The 1,194-square-foot pool house is adaptable as a guest house, with a bedroom, full bath and steam shower, and 892-square-foot common room with a fireplace and set up with a stovetop and wet bar. Seven doors offer access to the exterior grounds. 

The grounds include a heated gunite pool and secluded spa, full-sized tennis court, plus multiple stone patios, terraces, and immaculate English gardens. 

“It reminds me of an Olmstead park, beautifully executed and designed with tons of flowering trees and shrubs,” Gundersen says, referencing the designer of Central Park. 

The detached three-car garage has its own powder room and, on the second floor, a 580-square-foot home gym and rec room. Built in the style of the house, as is the pool house, it completes the harmonious mini compound. 

“This is one of the most iconic representations of estate living and the owners really took it to another level,” Gundersen said.

The home is about 2.5 miles from East Hampton village and less than a mile from Georgica Pond and Georgica Beach. Of interest in the area are the Fulling Mill Farm Preserve, a 17-acre nature preserve, and Grey Gardens, the estate made famous in the 1970s documentary and which has been fully restored in private ownership.

The home at 253 Cove Hollow Road lists for $19,500,000 and the details can be seen here.