Most expensive Hamptons home hits the market for Rs 868 crore

Pricey real estate is nothing new in the Hamptons. But when an 18-acre East Hampton estate sold for $147 million (Rs 913 crore) this year, the coveted beach town moved up a rung on the luxury real estate ladder. Continuing the trend, the historic Briar Patch estate just hit the market for $140 million (Rs 868 crore).

Not only is it the most expensive home publicly listed in The Hamptons, but it's the priciest listing in New York. "Briar Patch is a uniquely beautiful estate without equal on the East End," said exclusive listing broker Peter M Turino of Brown Harris Stevens, Christie's International Real Estate affiliate. "Its setting and scale will appeal to the most sophisticated and discerning of buyers."

Owned by just three families in its 80-year history, the estate spans a quarter of a mile on the Georgica Pond with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean in the distance. The entire property — subdivided into two buildable lots — measures 11.2 acres.



A grand Georgian revival, the main residence was completely renovated in 1990 by architect Peter Marino, who has been called "the leather daddy of luxury" by NY Magazine. Highlights of his restoration include a three-storey living room, six perfectly proportioned bedrooms, handmade wallpaper, grand fireplaces, a sunken library and expansive porches.

For the past 25 years, the estate has been owned by education entrepreneur Chris Whittle and wife Priscilla Rattazzi. "As we embark upon the next chapter of our lives, we feel fortunate to have been the stewards of this wonderful home and its land for 25 years," Whittle said. "It has been a source of great happiness to us, our now-grown children, extended family and many friends."

The only publicly listed home that rivals Briar Patch is Palazzo di Amore, a $195 million (Rs 1,211 crore) Beverly Hills compound. Le Palais Royal in Florida is the next highest on the list at $139 million (Rs 863 crore).