A host of celebrities have put their homes up for sale in the Hamptons — with satirists, singers, TV anchors and tennis stars all getting into the act. Perhaps they sense a propitious moment, as records are being shattered. Yet experts say that luxury homes aren’t moving as briskly in the Hamptons as they were in 2015, and even some celebrities have had to slash their prices. Matt Lauer reportedly purchased Richard Gere’s North Haven estate after the actor reduced the asking price by almost $30 million — to $36.5 million. Here’s a look at what some VIPs are doing with their Hamptons hideaways.
Listings
Longtime tennis bad boy John McEnroe is offering his Southampton estate for sale at a price tag of $14.5 million. Located on the aptly named Squabble Lane, the beachfront property has eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms for a total of 7,500 square feet. It features vaulted ceilings, a library, a sunroom, a swimming pool and — you guessed it — a tennis court. Previously owned by Standard Oil baron Henry Rogers, the house sits on a coveted spot, next to A-listers such as Calvin Klein and Brooke Shields. Records show that the seven-time Grand Slam champion bought the property in 1999 for $4.2 million.
Ali Wentworth and George Stephanopoulos’ listed home at 5 Cameron Way
Actress and comedian Ali Wentworth and her husband, the high-wattage news anchor George Stephanopoulos, have listed their Southampton home for just south of $7 million. The estate, located at 5 Cameron Way, is certainly fit for a TV power couple, with five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, an all-weather tennis court and a 1,000-bottle wine cellar. It also features a swimming pool and a personal gym. Wentworth is particularly known for her role in the series “In Living Color.” Stephanopoulos is ABC News’ chief anchor and co-anchor of “Good Morning America.”
Producer, talent manager and now house-flipper Sandy Gallin has cut the price on his two-acre estate in East Hampton. The farm-style compound at 466 Further Lane is now $22.5 million, down from $24 .5 million last year. Gallin bought the property in 2011 for $5.1 million. He demolished the main house on the site and built a 6,500-square-foot structure in its place. With seven bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, the residence features an expansive outdoor entertainment space and four outbuildings, including a pool house and guest house. Gallin has represented the likes of Michael Jackson and Dolly Parton.
Joy Behar, a host on “The View,” is yet another celeb selling a Hamptons home. In March, she listed her four-bedroom, five-bathroom East Hampton residence for $3.8 million. The TV personality purchased the 15 Roberts Lane abode for $2.8 million in 2012. The rustic-style, 4,000-square-foot home has a fireplace, swimming pool and spacious lawns. In addition to “The View,” Behar also hosts a late-night talk show called “Late Night Joy.”
Purchases
Matt Lauer has reportedly scored a new Hamptons trophy property. The anchor of NBC’s “Today” show purchased Richard Gere’s scenic North Haven estate, which was last listed at $36.5 million — but only after Gere had slashed the listing from an initial asking price of $65 million in 2013. The 12-bedroom, 12-bathroom house sits on 6.2 acres on Actors Colony Road. Dubbed “Strongheart Manor,” the 1902 mansion has a waterfront pool, a basketball court, a tea house and a pair of guest houses. The mansion has had an energy-efficient makeover. Lauer plans to keep his Water Mill property, Bright Side Farm, where he recently won the right to plant a buffer zone of shrubs after a high-profile dispute with his neighbors.
Matt Lauer’s home he purchased from Richard Gere in North Haven
Forget the city. “Sex and the City” creator Candace Bushnell is all about the village life now, with the new Sag Harbor house she bought for $680,000 in April 2016. Situated on a parcel of land just under a third of an acre at 422 Main Street, the 1,300-square-foot cottage is notable for its vintage charm. In the backyard, there’s a historic barn that may or may not need some work, depending on your tastes. “The great thing about the Hamptons is that you really can live in the Hamptons, and not live in the Hamptons in the Hamptons way,” the writer commented last year to the New York Observer, where she once penned the famous column that spawned a TV franchise.
Summer rentals
For $1 million a month, you too could live like Beyoncé and Jay Z. A vast Bridgehampton estate where the music royals once frolicked is available for rent — but just for July. The 31,000-square-foot mansion, located at 612 Halsey Lane, has 12 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms and a vast sports complex dubbed the Air Lounge. This includes a skateboarding half-pipe, climbing wall, squash court, racquetball court, two-lane bowling alley, full bar, disco and spa. Outside, there’s a heated pool, another spa and a sunken tennis court.
Diddy’s East Hampton estate available for summer rental
On the rental front, here’s another swanky option: Diddy’s East Hampton white-marble compound. Even the pools (there are two) behind the 4,500-square-foot house are made of the same stuff that Michelangelo worked with. Located right on Gardiners Bay, the waterfront mansion at 40 Hedges Banks Drive goes for $200,000 between Memorial Day and Labor day. The house also features a home theater, living room with bar and another bar by the pool cabana. Sitting on an acre of land, it’s only a few steps from the sandy beach.