Shelter Island, the 29-square-mile island between the North and South Forks of the East End of Long Island, is becoming ever more popular. And by popular, we mean expensive. But why not? There are great beaches, nature preserves, and chic eateries and shops, to wit the new restaurant Léon 1909, the reopened Chequit and the revamped Pridwin hotels. Plus, many Shelter Island properties offer deepwater docks for the owners’ fleet of water toys and yachts.
One such waterfront oasis, a 3.5-acre spread with 410 feet of bulkheaded water frontage and a 250-foot dock, not to mention a stunner of a house, has come to market at $13.95 million via Gary DePersia at Corcoran and Nicholas Brown at Town & Country Real Estate.
Built in 1952, the original house was designed by architect Bertrand Goldberg. Goldberg trained at the Bauhaus but is best known today as being a devotee of Frank Lloyd Wright. And Wright’s look is obvious here, from the long, low lines to the natural materials and the careful siting of the building. The current owner, billionaire Leonard Stern’s fine art photographer/gallerist daughter Andrea Stern, founding director of dieFirma, an artist led platform based in New York City, expanded and rebuilt in 2002. The sprawling home now measures 6,000 square feet, with six bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms
The interiors have been done in a midcentury modern style that nods to the home’s past while remaining up-to-date, funky, and cheerful. Hewn of natural stone and mahogany, the light-filled living room offers a massive stone fireplace, radiant heat under the slate flooring, and wonderful vistas of the bay. The eat-in kitchen is also spacious rosewood cabinets and stone counter tops, while the spacious dining room spills out to decking that leads down to the water’s edge.
The master suite offers amazing water views, a huge cushioned lounging area surrounded by windows, a walk-in closet and, of course, a spa-like bathroom. Some of the other five bedrooms also include sitting areas, while a media room, gym, and artist’s studio complete the house. There is also a two car garage.
Outside, a rear courtyard enjoys views of the recently built 14′ X 74′ pool, which is insulated and heated for year-round use. There is also plenty of room for a tennis court. The grounds have been sensitively landscaped to respect the natural surroundings and include a Long Island native meadow, a cedar grove forest, bayside gravel garden and a beach sand fire pit. A 22,000-gallon underground cistern supports the landscaping, allowing for low water usage.
If needed, the house could be expanded further with a second level. And for even more space, a one-acre plot, currently the owners’ vegetable garden, could also be purchased, with guest or staff quarters or both added.
