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Incomparable Oceanfront Estate

by habituallychic

06 . 02 . 17


Outrageous real estate prices don’t even phase me anymore after living in New York for 15 years. But every once in a while I am a little shocked, especially when I read that this Montauk estate at 165 Deforest Road is asking $62 Million.

Let’s figure out why the high price tag. First, it has an ultra-private location which was part of the Montauk Association summer colony Seven Sisters with homes designed by Stanford White and Frederick Law Olmsted. This particular historic home is 7000 square feet on a 20 acre parcel with over 900 feet of ocean frontage in the Montauk Moorlands. It is bordered to the east by over 190 acres of oceanfront parkland with an additional 2,200 feet of pristine coastline. There are 360 degree views from the house that includes seven bedrooms and five bathrooms.

The home was built for Alexander E. Orr and his family and became known as the  “The Orr House” in the nineteenth century. When the property was purchase by Harrison Tweed in 1924, he renamed it Tick Hall, after the nickname given to family and friends: “ticks” and “tickettes.” In 1967, talk show host Dick Cavett discovered the house and rented it before buying it from Babette Tweed.

When the house was first built in 1883, the house didn’t have bathrooms or a kitchen. After a fire destroyed the house in 1997, it was completely rebuilt with modern conveniences like wifi and insulation but worn spots and details to make it look exactly like the original. A private path winds down to oceanfront cove with the most private sandy beach on the East End but there is also a swimming pool and fresh water pond.

There aren’t that many photos of the traditional interior. Perhaps the real estate agents assume you will always be out of doors if you buy it. Whatever the case, it looks like the perfect summer home for someone with very deep pockets.

N.B. One of my eagle eyed readers recognized the house and found an article on the before and after on Architectural Digest from 2001. It’s worth reading to hear how they recreated the house using small bits and pieces from the ashes and scanning photographs.

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  1. Heather Hanson June 2, 2017 | 1:41 pm

    I recognized this immediately when I saw the aerial shot. Not that I’ve ever been lucky enough to visit, but I recall seeing this home featured in a magazine and just being floored by the spectacular site. I’d live in a trailer if I could wake up to that view!! Sure enough, Architectural Digest did a pretty comprehensive story some years back complete with lots of before and afters. Enjoy. http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/wank-article-022001

    • habituallychic June 2, 2017 | 2:04 pm

      Thank you so much! I love hearing the whole story of how they rebuilt the house. I updated the post to include the link.