Taking the Long View

With its shingled exterior and spectacular water views, this home embodies quintessential Hamptons living.

From soaring proportions to a pastoral waterfront, this classic East End estate represents far more than meets the eye.

Words: Hannah McWilliams
Images: Amanda Kirkpatrick

Given East Hampton’s abundance of stunning architecture, it may come as a surprise that its homes’ most esteemed attribute is often that which cannot be seen: open air. Uninterrupted stretches of lawn, unmarred water views, infinite privacy, and the magnificent option to adapt space as you please — perhaps to erect a tennis court, outdoor kitchen, or guest cottage — signify, for many, the ultimate luxury.

Classic lines and graceful proportions contribute an effortlessness that permeates the entire home.

Located along the banks of Georgica Pond, 11 Cove Hollow Farm Road epitomizes such a reality. Masterfully designed by Jaquelin T. Robertson — counted among Architectural Digest’s venerable “AD 100” — the storybook estate is set atop more than three acres of coastal hillside and boasts views of its stunning environs from every room.

Countless windows and French doors flood every room with coastal sunlight and offer panoramic views of the pond.

Robertson’s adept integration of architecture, art, and environment is his forte; as the visionary behind the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Virginia, Kansas City’s Henry Moore Sculpture Garden, and New York’s MoMA QNS, his command of natural elements is formidable.

“This home’s greatest attribute is undoubtedly its location. The design is exceptional in that every facet celebrates the land and waterfront upon which it sits.” — Ed Petrie

Built along the same lagoon as the famed Grey Gardens estate, “this home’s greatest attribute is undoubtedly its location,” says Compass agent Ed Petrie. “The design is exceptional in that every facet celebrates the land and waterfront upon which it sits.” With its classically-shingled exterior and graceful proportions, the enclave channels New England’s bucolic farmhouses on a grander scale, affording the home a sense of ease and intention.

Dramatic beams and a striking fireplace imbue the living room with warmth and serenity.

Once inside, soaring ceilings and countless French doors contribute to an interior as effortless and ethereal as the panoramic landscape. Shrug off chilly spring evenings in front of the stately fireplace, located within the dramatically-beamed great room, or whip up a healthy meal that celebrates Long Island’s bounty (wine, lobster, farm-fresh corn, and potatoes) in the generous kitchen. “Southern exposures cast the living areas in a beautiful glow throughout the day,” says the home’s owner Angelika Walker. “And the abundance of windows entreat nature’s presence: the moonlit cove, majestic birdlife, and umbrellaed tree line are extensions of the house.”

An expansive veranda and verdant lawn invite outdoor gatherings of every kind.

But the home’s beauty may only be surpassed by its incredible functionality. Care to entertain? Boasting a state-of-the-art chef’s kitchen and three dining areas, the home is equipped to host indoor and al fresco gatherings alike — not to mention the impromptu weekender. They’ll be happily ensconced in a charming guest apartment complete with its own entrance on a private wing.

Extending across the living spaces, custom shelving and cabinetry accommodate treasured photographs and family heirlooms.

Just beyond the wraparound veranda lies the heated 50-foot pool, an oasis amid the emerald expanse of lawn. With ample room to accommodate a badminton or bocce court, the manicured grounds serve as a secondary, outdoor living space. From spirited poolside gatherings to evening apéritifs on the grass, summers of celebration and solace await.