Like most Hamptonites, KDH loves to pour over pictures of haute Hamptons homes ~ whether it’s an mansion on Meadow Lane, a perfect Montauk whaling cottage, or a Victorian farmhouse in Water Mill. Well there’s a buzzworthy newcomer to the high end Hamptons real estate market: Watchcase Sag Harbor. This once abandoned building is undergoing an epic makeover, offering residences ranging from 1-6 bedrooms [approx 700- 5,000 sq. ft.] with a price range of $1 million to just over $10 million luxury lofts, penthouses, townhouses, and bungalows. The transformation and restoration of this historically rich 19th-century industrial building, which was built and operated for almost 100 years as a watchcase factory, has been a hot topic for locals as they eagerly wait to see “the big reveal” of the completed project…

KDH took a tour of the property including the uber chic two bedroom model loft and loved it ~ almost feels more like Tribeca than the East End! The project will take many more months to complete, but sneak a peek at some of the renderings pictured here of what the finished product will look like ~ as well as the completed Steven Gambrel designed model loft, further below.

One short block from the historic and picturesque Sag Harbor village and two blocks from the Hampton’s only deep water port, the Watchcase Factory is a “village-within-a-village.” Originally a 19th century industrial building, Cape Advisors Inc., Baldassano Architecture, and Beyer Blinder Belle Architects have teamed up to retain the spirit and authenticity of the historically rich factory.  The original architecture has been preserved and restored with painstaking detail, while using the best practices in green building.

The Watchcase offers 64 luxurious residential living spaces, with each one offering a private outdoor space with a garden, balcony, or rooftop terrace. Despite the fact that no two floor plans are alike, each residence affords resort-style amenities such as a doorman and concierge service, year-round heated outdoor pool, fitness room, spa treatment room, house driver, private parking, personal storage, and a large fireplace lounge with a catering kitchen.

The inside of this once abandoned building has gotten a serious upgrade, thanks to interior designer Steven Gambrel. The floors are made of wide plank fumed oak, the ceilings are up to 10 feet high, and the kitchens feature the finest stainless steel appliances.  When the building was first built there was no electricity, so there is also a unique abundance of windows to provide natural light. Here’s a look at the gorgeous model loft KDH toured at Watchcase, [above & below]:

PSST! Here are just a few of the Services & Amenities Watchcase owners will be treated to:

• Full time doorman, resident superintendent, and concierge

• A “house” driver for the summer season to provide exclusive shuttle service for residents to and from beaches and around town

• Poolside chair, towel, and beverage service for the summer season

• The Watchcase Pavilion offers a fitness room, yoga/aerobics studio, locker rooms with sauna and steam rooms, a spa treatment room, and a large lounge with fireplace and catering kitchen for private dinner
parties and functions

This property is one of the greatest real-estate ventures on the East End. The project team has focused on protecting the factory’s historic integrity and respects its important position within the fabric of the Village. Examples of the team’s attention to detail in the factory restoration include:

• Repurposing over 20,000 original bricks for use in the factory building

• Re-pointing all of the masonry with historically correct lime-based two-color mortar

• Restoring the original look and feel of the exterior by installing a replica of the original elegant bracketed cornice to crown the façade

• Rebuilding the original signature octagon at the northwest corner of Washington and Division Streets to its full 5-story height, including a new, faceted metal standing seam roof

• Restoration of the water tower with a replica wood “water tank,” reconceptualized as a charming outdoor gazebo that will boast the highest 360 degree views in Sag Harbor Village

• Reconstructing the original chimney stack to restore its ornamental masonry details

Here’s a recap of Fast Facts: 15 Church Street, Sag Harbor

Watchase Factory, Luxury Condos and Homes Residences range from 1-6 Bedrooms Approximately 700- 5,000 sq. ft. Price Range: $1 million to just over $10 million

Cee Scott Brown & Jack Pearson of Corcoran 631-725-7200; info@watchcasefactory.com