Real Estate

Developers Scale Back Luxury Senior Complex

Amended proposal filed after planning board suggests changes.

Developers of a luxury senior housing complex in Amagansett unveiled a scaled-back version of their proposal recently, and filed it with the East Hampton Town planning department on Friday.

At a meeting of the American Institute of Architects, held in the second-story barn at the property where the complex is proposed, Putnam Bridge and its architect Jacquelin T. Robertson, an East Hampton resident, said they reduced the number of units in the design from 89 to 79 in response to feedback from the planning board.

The Greenwich, Conn.-based firm purchased the 23.5-acre property in May 2012 for $10 million with plans to build cottages and apartments for those 55 and older looking for luxury independent living.

However, the planning board was clear: reduce the density, open up the viewshed, make it more community friendly and affordable, according to Francis P. Jenkins III, a partner at Putnam Bridge and the project manager.

They rearranged some buildings and cut down the amount of units by 10. They now propose 44 flats, in two-story buildings, and 35 cottages. By opening up the central corridor, Jenkins said, 28 freestanding cottages were lost.

To also keep the central corridor open, the clubhouse was rotated and the tennis courts moved. A playground proposed on the north side of the property, along where the train tracks run, allows for expansive views to the north and south. "You want this place to look like it fits here," Robertson said.

The units will range from 692 square feet to 1,977 square feet. Initially, the cottages ranged over 1,500 to nearly 2,000 square feet and the apartments were about 1,200 square feet.

"We wanted to increase affordability and range of economic spectrum by providing some smaller units. We estimate that the smaller units will be about $550,000," said Britton Bistrian, an Amagansett resident who is working on the project.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

The Long Island Workforce Housing Act requires that 10 percent of the units be affordable. "It is the intent at 555 Amagansett to not only provide the required 10 percent affordable housing units but also to an estimated additional 10 percent as affordable by Amagansett market rate standards," a letter to the planning board states.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Also reduced in size were the fieldhouse, where three meals will be offered each day, and the fitness/pool house. Both buildings should be considered an extension of the resident's homes.

Instead of four tennis courts, there are now two proposed.

A community barn for theatrical groups or civic organizations to use, was added to the proposal. It will be open to the general public, as will the gardens and the playground. "There are no gates," Robertson said.

While the complex provides for independent living, as opposed to assisted living, there are plans for a resident registered nurse who would provide medical coordination and basic health care, Jenkins said.

The cooperative structure will prohibit children to live in the complex, except under emergency situations.

They hope it will be an "environmentally and socially responsible active living neighborhood for seniors (55 and older) from across the economic spectrum," according to the letter. "The intent is to keep these individuals seamlessly woven into the fabric of the Amagansett community of which they have had an affiliation and dedication to throughout their lifetime."

Bistrian said she expects the project will be back on the planning board's agenda within the next month.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here