The nuts and bolts
8 bedrooms
6 bathrooms and 2 half baths
5,170 square feet
1.3 acres
House proud
One of the five original 19th-century homes built in the Fairlea enclave, this cottage, known as “Clover Top,” was built in the Stick Style, an architectural style that commonly features steeply pitched roofs, gables or dormers, turrets or towers and wrap-around porches. This home, built in 1883, has many of those classic features, along with influences of the Queen Anne style.
What’s the plan?
The three-story home offers room to roam on each floor. The house can be entered through the front via the wrap-around porch, or a side entry that leads to the kitchen and the rooms to the rear of the house. The 456-square-foot living room has a corner fireplace and bay window, the -347-square-foot formal dining room has a corner fireplace and is lined with windows. A 181-square-foot family room is lined with built-in bookshelves and storage.
Also on this floor are a second dining area off the kitchen, bedroom and half bath, and at the rear of the house down a hallway, a staircase leads to two more bedrooms and a full bathroom above the garage. The second floor’s three bedrooms are ensuite, including the 344-square-foot primary bedroom. The third floor’s four bedrooms share two full bathrooms. The unfinished basement houses the mechanicals and storage space.
What else?
The house is coming to market for the first time in more than 30 years, says Paulina Keszler, who along with Michaela Keszler, represent the listing at Sotheby’s International Realty. Well maintained through the decades, with a renovation in 1997, the historic home is ready for a new owner to modernize to their tastes and needs.
“It’s an opportunity to do something incredible with an incredible property,” Paulina Keszler says. “There isn’t a plethora of these kinds of houses anyway—they are usually in families for generations and don’t come up on the market very often.”
Amenities and more
- Private deeded path to the Atlantic Ocean
- 20 x 40 gunite swimming pool
- Pool cabana with bathroom and shower
- Four woodburning fireplaces
- Covered dining porch
One cool thing (or two)
The Fair Lea enclave was developed on an eight-acre plot purchased in 1874 by shipping scion and banker Alfred Nelson and his wife, Emily Fairlee, nee Ogden, a descendant of Mayflower pilgrim John Ogden. Five summer “cottages” were constructed to create the enclave, which over time has included residents such as Prince Karl Friedrich von Hohenzollern, Anne Ford, Gloria Vanderbilt and creatives in entertainment and theater.
“Every house on the street has a significant history,” Keszler says. “For someone who wants to own a beautiful and significant part of Southampton history with a private beach, this is the home to consider … it’s an incredible opportunity to have your own private part of Southampton.”
Agent’s callout
“The story here is the history and the quality of this house and its materials, and how it was built with all the details that still stand,” Keszler says. “This house still stands so strong and proud: it is all about the integrity of the house.”
Location, location, location
Fair Lea Road is a small private road off Gin Lane, which hugs the southern shore of Agawam Lake, currently under a revival and restoration program conducted by the Lake Agawam Conservancy. Nearby are Little Plains and Cryder beaches and the Southampton Bath and Tennis Club. The village of Southampton, with dining and shopping, is less than a mile from the home.
Details
The home at 3 Fair Lea Road lists for $18,500,000 and the details can be seen here.
