When you look up at the sky at night, it’s impossible to think that we aren’t alone is the universe. When you look up at the sky at night at Startop Ranch, it’s impossible to think that God doesn’t exist.
It’s remarkable.
In Montauk, Startop Drive affects me in a way that I find difficult to describe. You’re up high, literally at the top of Montauk, overlooking the most beautiful real estate mankind has ever been able to discover. It doesn’t seem real. The place feels like you had a conversation with the universe and said to it, “Impress me with your best work.” Every sense lights up, the wind blows through you, your eyes track horses running, hawks flying, boats moving. Your ears hear birds singing and leaves rustling. Salt air ever so kisses your lungs. You feel one way and one way only, peaceful.
The final parcel at 107 Startop Drive represents more than just a piece of land—it’s a continuation of a story that began in 1957, a story of vision, determination, and a deep-rooted love for Montauk. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity offers a chance to become part of a legacy that will endure for generations to come.
Priscilla Star who’s family has owned the property for two generations explains it best. “Startop Ranch is a place that every year round local in Montauk who all knew each other has fond memories of. Our horses were literally on the other side of fences running all down East Lake Drive, and folks would pull over and park to reach across the fence to pet them or feed them sugar. Mind you, they were thoroughbreds and highly spirited, so that was a big risk we took when you think about it! It’s just that life was simpler back in the day when our storybook legacy was something we wanted to share with our community, so we did. I still hear stories from people telling me how my father would invite them up with their parents to see our daily goings on at the barns and paddocks. He loved all the excitement it created in people’s lives. I had the best childhood growing up at Startop. No other place in the world has had my heart as long as this one has, and I’m 72 now, but it’s just so spiritually special.”
Owing to its unique history and the determination of Priscilla Star and the Star Family, life at Startop Ranch remains rooted to the land, and accommodating a lifestyle as enchanted in 2024 as in 1957.
To understand Startop’s future is to appreciate the lasting legacy of the Star Family. With the final parcel at 107 Startop Drive now for sale, this is the last chance to own a piece of Montauk’s Startop legacy. Priscilla has ensured that Startop reflects Montauk’s spirit—spacious, rugged elegance, and deeply connected to the land. Anyone who lives in an estate at Startop Ranch is the beneficiary of that bequest.
There is a permanence seen, felt—understood—when you are here, sharing a vista that has captivated and inspired generations. The stress of the outside world evaporates under the Hamptons sun, embraced by rolling hills and open skies. Surrounded by thousands of acres of preserved land, this canvas of Montauk moorlands and iconic vistas will remain forever protected.
Meeting over an early fall lunch at the Montauk Lake Club, Priscilla Star, lifelong resident and developer of Startop Ranch; Dean Philllippe, a former Suffolk County Park Superintendent, and Ed Bruehl, the exclusive real estate agent representing the 107 Startop Ranch offered an insightful look at the heritage behind Startop Ranch and a glimpse into its future.
East Lake Drive has evolved into a lasting portrait of luxury living and natural beauty. The guiding light of this evolution has been the Star Family. It began with Leon “Doc” Star, who purchased land here in 1957, and continues through Priscilla Star, whose vision and dedication shaped the development of Startop.
The view is forever preserved, much like the vision the Star Family enjoyed when Doc purchased it, drawn by its serene beauty and potential.
The Startop Legacy
Like anyone who splits time between NYC and the Hamptons, Doc found every possible way for him and his family to spend time at the newly purchased Startop.
In true Renaissance Man fashion, Doc learned how to fly so that he could travel quickly to and from New York City. The Montauk airport was built by Perry Duryea the same year that Doc purchased Startop. Having helped build the airstrip using a nearby build, the Montauk Airport has been part of the Startop story since its inception.
There is power, and then there is clear-the-runway-power. “The airport tower would always clear the runway whenever ‘Doc’ was flying out,” Priscilla adds with pride. Partly out of respect, but also because he was the official doctor for the Kennedy Airport in NYC.
Zero-Density Development
Priscilla’s approach to development has always been deeply personal, rooted in her lifelong connection to Montauk. She insisted on a thoughtful subdivision of the land, prioritizing land easements and creating spacious parcels rather than the potential 24—preserving the sense of openness and privacy.
“There is magic here that we preserved.”
This decision ensured that Startop would remain a place of spacious luxury and natural beauty, a rarefied estate in one of the most unique sections of Montauk.
“Every home on Startop enjoys a simply unmatched vision of Montauk from their home. The community east of Lake Montauk has long been shaped by the generational vision and legacy of the Stars, creating a place where history and modern luxury coexist seamlessly.
Adventures by Land, Air, and Sea
Once a thoroughbred breeding farm, Startop connects to a network of riding and hiking trails leading to Oyster Pond, the Lighthouse, and beyond. For those exploring by water, the Montauk Lake Yacht Club is a short walk away, while the nearby Montauk Airport—integral to the Star family’s history—offers a gateway to the sky.
Equestrian Pedigree
Startop is steeped in equestrian history and holds a distinction as one of New York’s premier breeding farms during the 1980s. It’s a place where nature and legacy intertwine—where herds of cattle once roamed nearby, and horses galloped freely down to East Lake Drive. Among the ranch’s most extraordinary moments was the birth of a rare albino horse, cementing Startop’s place in the annals of equestrian history.
Picnics at Oysterpond
“I remember rides down to Oyster Pond is a tranquil escape, especially on horseback. Trotting along sandy paths, the breeze rustling through the parklands. Picking blackberries along the way to bake pies. Oyster Pond is the perfect spot for a picnic—blankets spread, sandwiches, and cool drinks in hand. The horses graze nearby, while we savor the view of the pond and the peaceful waves. As the afternoon sun begins its descent, we pack up, leaving only footprints behind.”
Horse Trails & Cross-Country Skiing
“In the winter, we would glide through the snow-covered horse trails and cross-country skiing. With sweeping views of the rolling hills adding a crisp coastal charm to every stride.”
A Rare Opportunity
“This is it. The last chance to own part of Montauk’s Startop legacy. Startop Ranch encapsulates why Montauk is so special and unique, especially within the Hamptons,” adds Ed Bruehl, the exclusive real estate agent representing Startop Ranch.
This is an invitation to become part of Montauk’s storied history and future. The opportunity at 107 Startop Drive is the final chapter of a family’s lasting mark on this breathtaking corner of the Hamptons.
