Soon-to-be former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her leading man, former President Bill Clinton, have been fixtures in the Hamptons for years. They’ve been frequent weekend guests of real estate power players like Elie Hirschfeld and recently rented “the last two weeks in August” in East Hampton says a Hamptons real estate source. Rumor has it the former first couple is looking to set down roots on the East End and have engaged the services of a high-end Hamptons broker to scope out the scene for them.
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During her swearing in as Secrectary of State Hillary Clinton with Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea Clinton. (Photo: US Department of State)
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What is the Hamptons real estate scene exactly? Hamptons Q4 reports are in and real estate sales peaked thanks in part to pending tax increases. Nearly 50 sales over the $5 million mark raised the average sale price to $2.13 million. Douglas Elliman reports that the middle of the “luxury” road is now $7 million. Brown Harris Stevens reports that, “the number of sales of $2.5 million and over up 98% over the same period.” Finally, the Corcoran Group reports, “more than $805 million in real estate sold in the Fourth Quarter, a 29% increase in total sales volume over last year.”
What does that mean for the Clintons and their Hamptons real estate goals? A veteran Hamptons real estate source explains that, “Stuff like this is always in the wind. People like [the Clintons] will get a house on the QT. They will have a fake name and buy under a LLC. Their broker will go out and find the house and the sellers will know based on the agent that the buyer is qualified. They’ll never know who the buyer is.”
Where will they live? Who will be their celebrity neighbors? Will they become just Bill and Hil picking up their coffee at one of the many Golden Pear Café’s dotted across the South Fork? These are our top five “South of the Highway” picks for the power couple:
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Rose HIll Point has a dock and private island. (Photo: Sotheby’s International Realty)
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A fur vault and duplex master suite at Rose HIll Point. (Photo: Sotheby’s International Realty)
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Rose Hill Point, Water Mill – At $39.5 million it’s a small price to pay for nearly three water-front acres and a 15,000 sq/ft mansion in Water Mill. The “duplex master wing has a living room, fireplace, walk-in closets, two deluxe bathrooms, a fur vault and an octagonal office” where the Clintons could consider her run for President in 2016. Daughter Chelsea and her hubby will want to visit and this property has five guest suites, “theater, and game room with walk-in wine cellar” to keep them entertained. There is also a “dock [that] accommodates multiple watercraft and a private island lies beyond 365ft. of bulk headed waterfront”. Beyond a yacht to dock what more could they ask for? Listed by Harald Grant of Sotheby’s International Realty.
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Designed by Henry Bacon this estate is ‘presidential’. (Photo: Brown Harris Stevens)
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Painted floors in this Westhampton estate kick this kitchen up a notch. (Photo: Brown Harris Stevens)
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Refined Country Life, Westhampton – “To enjoy an elegant country life, celebrated for its beauty, this expansive waterfront estate is distinctively refined.” Designed in 1903 by architect Henry Bacon, who also designed the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, this ‘charming’ 16,000 sq/ft bayfront with pool on just under 7-acres might just be what the former First Lady needs as she reflects upon her future political plans. She can entertain in the “banquet-sized formal dining room with hand-painted murals and fireplace” or enjoy a quiet moment alone in the “large gourmet kitchen with a waterside casual dining area” to work on speeches she’ll give in the post-political lecture circuit. All that plus stunning views, formal gardens, and a sunken bathtub for only $17.75 million it is a “premier residence west of the canal.” Listed by Marcia Altman of Brown Harris Stevens.
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Francis Fleetweeod-designed cottage in Sagaponack. (Photo: The Corcoran Group)
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Luxurious wood paneled library in Sagaponack seems almost made for the former First Couple. (Photo: The Corcoran Group)
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Formal Cottage, Sagaponack – “Formal gardens surround 4.35 acres of verdant green lawns,” complement the 2-story shingle home designed by Francis Fleetwood in Sagaponack. Built in the early 1990’s, the 6,600 sq/ft “showplace” features a professional chef’s kitchen, sauna, 20×50 granite and bluestone pool, five bedrooms, and media room. Smaller than the White House in Washington, DC, and their estate in Chappaqua, NY, this $17.5 million estate might just be what the doctor ordered for a couple who globe trot for a living and need a place to escape once in a while. Listed by Myles Tintle of The Corcoran Group
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Madonna, P. Diddy, and Steven Spielberg have partied at thsi Goose Creek estate. (Photo: Douglas Elliman)
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The Goose Creek screening room is a replica of the Ziegfeld Theater. (Photo: Douglas Elliman)
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Goose Creek, East Hampton – P. Diddy, Madonna, and Christie Brinkley partied here. Steven Spielberg, Alec Baldwin, and Renée Zellweger have hosted screenings in the 110-seat replica of the famed Ziegfeld Theater, most recently being Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated “Lincoln”. And countless Victoria’s Secret models have primped there for fashion shoots. The Clintons would be the next in a long list of famous faces to grace the grand Georgica Pond waterfront estate with their august presence. “It has everything you would want and more,” exclaimed the listing agent. Spread out over 5.5 acres and 25,000 sq/ft of living space fashioned after an old Italian hotel a new owner could enjoy an indoor pool, massage room, barber shop, two ballrooms, eight bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, pub room, Billiards Room, and even a tanning room to beat off the winter blahs all for the newly reduced rate of $14.9 million. Best yet there are two staff bedrooms for the Clinton’s Secret Service detail. Listed by Dawn Neway of Douglas Elliman.
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With room for a tennis court the First Couple could host a few fundraisers here on Gin Lane. (Photo: Saunders)
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Gin Lane Estate, Southampton – What do Pennsylvania Avenue and Gin Lane have in common? Simply put they are two of the most storied streets on which to live in the United States. This $13.9 million “traditional home offers total privacy” for those used to flashbulbs like the Clintons. With eight bedrooms and side-by-side living rooms this is a home just made for relaxing with family and friends. The two-acre property could easy be tented for one of the famous fundraisers to kick off a Presidential run in the next few years. (Just a suggestion.) Listed by Jay Flagg of Saunders.
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The tranquil fountain on Gin Lane is perfect for presidential reflection. (Photo: Saunders)
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