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Historic Sag Harbor Home on the Market Offers Lots of Luxury, and a Little Drama

Everyone who is anyone has either lived, worked, or stayed in the Hamptons. The posh vacation nirvana is the ultimate getaway for the rich and famous. Different parts of the summer destination have made their way into reality television, which adds a bit of melodrama. It’s also an area with a rich history that dates back hundreds of years.

Take, for instance, this incredible 1830s home in Sag Harbor, NY, which was originally built for a sea captain, David Cartwright. Sag Harbor is known for its long whaling history, and this cottage is a picture-perfect example of the architecture of those times.

The 5,000-square-foot cottage recently hit the market for $6.795 million, and it even comes with some drama. Let us explain.

The current owners, the chief information officer of the New York Museum of Modern Art, Frank Ahimaz, and his partner, Steven Barr, a prominent attorney, are only the third owners of the property. They purchased the cottage and wanted to make it their own by expanding and renovating the place, and it caused quite the uproar.

Sag Harbor has long been known as the “un-Hamptons,” because it didn’t want to become a glitzy hot spot, as seen on reality TV. And for a long time, the neighborhood did a good job of it. But, as its popularity grew, people started to see Sag Harbor’s potential and flocked to the neighborhood to rip down old houses and build anew—or to own a little piece of history on a quaint and quiet street.

Well, one of those charming cottages (you guessed it, Captain Cartwright’s abode) landed at the center of a zoning war. Ahimaz and Barr wanted to build an addition onto their antique retreat, giving it the look, appeal, and size of modern-day Hamptons greatness.

But they faced backlash from preservationists and town officials, who delayed permits and even imposed a building moratorium in the historic district. Eventually, the owners were granted approvals, since they had filed their permits before the building moratorium took effect.

Still, it took years before the project was approved. In fact, the project is one of a few that led to brand-new zoning regulations that are likely to prevent expansions of this kind ever again.

The result of the addition to this old whaling home is pretty spectacular.

The new owner will enjoy three levels of an unmatched balance of history and modern luxury.

The layout features four bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, including a master suite with gabled ceilings, and a gas fireplace.  Along with an office with built-ins, there’s also a finished lower level with a wine cellar. All the rooms are light and airy, while maintaining elements of the cottage’s original flair.

While the cottage still embodies its 1830s look and feel, the updates brighten and open up the space. Take, for example, the expansive kitchen, which includes Wolf, Sub-Zero, and Bosch appliances, but keeps the original charm of coffered ceilings and a perfectly placed wood island.

The cooking area flows through pocket doors into a comfy family room, a gracious dining room, and out to the back porch and saltwater pool.

The cottage is absolutely gorgeous, and its story will make for the perfect ice-breaker while the new owner enjoys martinis with friends on that open, picturesque porch.

Beth Felsen and Matthew Breitenbach of Compass have the listing.

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