The Hamptons is widely recognized as the world’s preeminent luxury real estate market, and its single most valued property is now under contract in the Town of Southampton.
Brokerage firm Bespoke announced the deal via Instagram.
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This 42+ acre oceanfront estate offers the largest ocean frontage in the Hamptons, spanning nearly a quarter mile. Further complementing its rarity is its setting and scale. The property is bordered by 3 ponds, affording unobstructed views of Mecox Bay and the open ocean. Additionally, the private grounds abut extensive protected and preserved land to the southeast, essentially adding another quarter mile of ocean frontage and uninterrupted water views.
Unequivocally the most unique and celebrated estate in the Hamptons, Jule Pond offers the stateliness of a secluded countryside retreat, dramatically enhanced by connectivity to the Atlantic Ocean. Commissioned and owned by the Ford family, this exclusive private enclave was once the main estate of a 235-acre property referred to as “Fordune.”
A description of the original development of this magnificent residence was published as follows, “Ford is building one of the greatest showplaces of the times. He has had to lay over a mile of blacktop through the fields of rye to reach the land that blankets 100 acres on the east end of town. The white brick house with its white columns and steep gray slate roofs stands before a driveway of 100 feet square. Above the portico are four large baskets of cement fruit. Whole paneled rooms, fireplaces and parquet floors have been imported from European chateaux in the grand fin-de-siecle manner perfected by the Vanderbilts. There is a four-car Ford garage facing the servants’ quarters, a wing that stretches 110 feet long. The back of the house looks out to a channel pond where wild white swans visit.”
Completely renovated in 2008, Jule Pond is approached by a substantial tree-lined driveway that sits behind a gated entrance. The main home has a gracious floor plan encompassing 20,000 square feet+/- of living space with 12 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms. The stylish stucco exterior boasts a modest entrance, purposefully designed to become grander once inside. The palatial interior welcomes you with a sweeping staircase, and direct open views of the southern portion of the grounds. The layout is balanced across three principal wings: one housing a large 20′ x 28′ chef’s kitchen, another with a distinguished library, and the third occupied by several staff/guest rooms with a separate entrance.
Jule Pond’s impeccable renovation preserved many of its original details such as distinctive ceilings with moldings and traditional chandeliers, Italian marble fireplaces, French parquet floors, and antique bathroom fixtures. Soaring ceilings and huge windows lend to the grace and elegance throughout. The main living spaces include a 48 foot+/- living room, family room, game room, recreation rooms, and 2 opulent master suites. The significance of its provenance is evident throughout, yet particularly in the octagonal reception room imported from France. In addition to the main house, the property features a separate carriage house with 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths, as well as a detached 6-car garage.
The large pool area is perfectly sited with a gentle hedged border, multiple dining and entertaining areas, a 60′ gunite swimming pool, separate spa, full outdoor kitchen and an outdoor shower. The resort-like recreational areas include a tennis and basketball court. The property is beautified by verdant landscaping, with mature trees, sprawling lawns and lush gardens, among them a kitchen garden and meditation garden with a Koi pond with waterfall. The estate retains its original greenhouse where the Fords grew their own fruit and vegetables, and has numerous paths winding down through the gardens, leading to a quarter-mile of private beach and the rolling Atlantic Ocean.
This splendid estate is surrounded by the most valuable oceanfront properties in the area. Jule Pond’s unique splendor, and the property’s allowance for subdivision, epitomizes a holistic investment offering endless scope for the cultivated buyer.
A timeless trophy of the highest caliber, Jule Pond possesses the best fundamental attributes of all the world’s most regarded properties.
The seller is Brenda Earl, a former partner at Zweig-Dimenna, who paid around $22 million for it in 2002, according to reports.
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