A historic 3.7-acre East Hampton home is set to hit the market for the first time in nearly three centuries with a $12.95 million ask. The property, located at 36 James Lane, is known as the Gardiner Home, after Lion Gardiner, who claimed the land in 1640. The property is the last family-owned remnant of Gardiner’s original 33,000-acre claim.
The seller is 71-year-old Olney Mairs Gardiner, who inherited it from his uncle, Winthrop Gardiner Jr., according to the New York Times.
“I’m 71 and the clock is ticking,” Olney Mairs Gardiner said. “I certainly had reservations about parting with it, but it’s time to put my house in order and let it go to create a fund for my children; I didn’t want to have a fire sale at my death.”
The 1.7-acre residential portion of the lot contains two homes. The 2,700-square-foot front house has five bedrooms and three bathrooms and dates to 1750. The second 3,500-square-foot home is more modern and is not landmarked.
Brian Buckhout and Tyler Mattson of Douglas Elliman’s East Hampton office have the listing. “You can’t find a lot this open and with this amount of history attached,” Buckhout said. “Another unique aspect is that there are two houses on the property, giving you a guesthouse.” [NYT] –Christopher Cameron