Sag Harbor: Historic buildings, upscale neighborhood draw buyers

Sag Harbor Cinema on Main Street displays films old and... — Sag Harbor Cinema on Main Street displays films old and new, as well as cinephile memorabilia. Credit: Gordon M. Grant

By Frank LoveceSpecial to NewsdayUpdated July 15, 2024

THE SCOOP Snuggled from the Sound within inlets and coves and away from Hamptons hubbub, the village of Sag Harbor is an enclave of history and high-end homes that is upscale and exclusive without being hoity-toity.

"There're different socioeconomic levels but everybody gets along," said Mayor Thomas Gardella, 59. "One common thing is they all love Sag Harbor. If there are issues or problems, we have a very affluent population and they step forward — they put their money where their mouth is. They'll come in to solve issues, if that's what's needed."

Conversely, he is concerned over affordability. The village's volunteer fire department and ambulance corps, he said, are made up of "the working community who have lived here" since before home values skyrocketed. "They're getting older and their numbers are dwindling because of no young people coming up." When he was elected last year, Gardella advocated to "protect the environment, while building something for emergency services and doing something for affordable housing..."

Sag Harbor's downtown area houses quaint mom-and-pop shops, coffee houses... — Sag Harbor's downtown area houses quaint mom-and-pop shops, coffee houses and a brewery. Credit: Gordon M. Grant

Home prices start around $1.4 million. Buyers are drawn to the waters of Sag Harbor Bay, Sag Harbor Cove and Upper Sag Harbor Cove. Quaint mom-and-pop businesses abound — even the one supermarket, Schiavoni's, is family-owned, dating to 1932.

"Lulu's is a popular place," said Kathy Werner, 74, who works for the town's tourist-information office, referring to Lulu Kitchen & Bar on Main Street. "And we have a brewery now," Kidd Squid, with a tasting room in a former railroad station, a Long Island Rail Road remnant. The nearest current station is about 4½ miles away, in Bridgehampton.

A private beach in the Sag Harbor Hills community overlooks... — A private beach in the Sag Harbor Hills community overlooks Sag Harbor Bay. Credit: Gordon M. Grant

Grindstone and Sagtown are popular coffee spots, but Werner likes Sylvester & Co., a self-styled "modern general store" with what she called "dreamy coffee" — adding that while "it has very upscale merchandise, they have dollar coffee in the winter for everybody."

Historic sites open to visit include the Revolutionary War-era Custom House; the Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum; and the John Steinbeck House, where the Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winner wrote "The Winter of Our Discontent." Two major Long Island cultural institutions are here: the Bay Street Theater, with stage productions, concerts and classes for children and adults, and the Sag Harbor Cinema, with modern and classic movies and cinephile exhibits.

St. David AME Zion Church was built by African American... — St. David AME Zion Church was built by African American and Native Americans in Eastville, a historic enclave in Sag Harbor. Credit: Gordon M. Grant

Also of historic importance are the private homes of the Sag Harbor Hills, Azurest & Ninevah Subdivisions (SANS), the historically Black East End community where the likes of Harry Belafonte, Lena Horne and Duke Ellington relaxed.

Mashashimuet Park has a playground, tennis and hiking trails, and Havens Beach is public. Wildlife and nature preserves are close by.

"The natural beauty of the area," said the mayor, "is our biggest asset."

Homes along Glover Street, top, and Latham Street in Sag... — Homes along Glover Street, top, and Latham Street in Sag Harbor. Credit: Gordon M. Grant

CONDOS AND CO-OPS There two condos, priced at $3.695 million and $4.3 million, currently on the market.

SALE PRICES Between June 26, 2023, and June 25, 2024, there were 27 home sales with a median sale price of $2.1 million, according to OneKey MLS. During that period a year earlier, there were 27 home sales with a median sale price of $2.25 million.

OTHER STATS

Population 2,587

Median age 50.9

Median home value $2.025 million

Monthly LIRR ticket from Bridgehampton $468

School district, graduation rate Sag Harbor (91.2%)

Library John Jermain

Transit Suffolk County Transit Route 92

Sources: 2022 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS via InfoSparks by ShowingTime; LIRR, data.nysed.gov

ON THE MARKET

$7.9 million

The star attraction of this bayfront home on 0.61 acre is a private sandy beach with about 75 feet of water frontage, and permitted private mooring. The 2,200-square-foot home was built in 1982 and has three beds, a fireplace and central air conditioning. Yearly taxes are $14,574. Mitchell Brownstein, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 215-518-1967.

$4.895 million

This $4.9 million Sag Harbor home has a heated gunite... — This $4.9 million Sag Harbor home has a heated gunite pool. Credit: VHT Studios

This new construction of 4,500 square feet boasts a kitchen with Thermador appliances and an oak island with quartz countertop. An open-concept dining area and living room centers around a marble fireplace. In addition to six bedrooms and 6½ baths is a rec room with a custom wine bar. The property has a heated gunite pool and an outdoor fireplace patio with arbor. Property taxes are not yet established. Thomas R. Cavallo, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 631-871-1401.

$1.495 million

This $1.5 million Sag Harbor home is roughly 1,500 square... — This $1.5 million Sag Harbor home is roughly 1,500 square feet. Credit: Saunders & Associates

Built in 1980, the 1,500-square-foot home has three bedrooms and two baths. The house sits on more than a ½-acre and has cathedral ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace and a recreation space with access to a covered outdoor lounge. Renovations over the last seven years include a new roof, a two-zone HVAC system and upgraded appliances and electrical system. Taxes are $7,907 annually. Sarah B. Minardi, Saunders West LLC, 631-288-4800.

RECENTLY SOLD

$3.575 million

Harrison Street

Style Two-story

Bedrooms 5

Bathrooms 5

Built 1830

Lot size 0.34 acre

Taxes $4,000

+/- List price -$120,000

Days on market 84

$2.025 million