CAVETT’S COVE OCEANFRONT
If names such as Sanford White, Charles McKim, and William Mead, who collectively designed a nation, inspires you – along with Dick Cavett, whose introduction to us of famous individuals strikes a cord – then the house that they all designed can be yours
If homes could speak, what a story this one could tell! Like the fascination of a Moebius Loop the staircase to the second level is a graceful 19th century elegance and has been witness to many famous guests who have been entertained within. Savoring the breathtaking panoramic Atlantic view from this rare and very private estate is only one of the many pluses offered for the first time on the open market in its 135-year history.
The home was originally built for Alexander E. Orr and his family in 1882-1883. When Orr’s friend Harrison Tweed bought the property in 1924, he named it Tick Hall as a bit of an inside joke, since there were truly loads of the critters around at that time…and the name has stuck. Fast forwarding to l967 when ABC talk show host Dick Cavett discovered the house, rented it and then bought it from Harrison Tweed when he was 91 years old.
After 50 years on the property, Cavett is looking for the right next owner for this one of a kind, most extraordinarily spectacular estate; an estate he told us, “That was sited by Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed New York City’s Central Park, and an estate that is one of Montauk’s historic ‘Seven Sisters’- the shingle style, summer colony Victorian cottage homes designed by Stanford White. We didn’t know then that nothing could ever change as far away as you can see, and would protect our privacy forever. Today, all construction details of Tick Hall are just as it was conceptualized in the 1880s, but with all the modern conveniences of 21st century living.”
Tim Davis, real estate agent for Corcoran Group Real Estate and his co-agent Karen Kelly, detailed that: “The setting for this historic home of 6000+/- square feet on a 20 acre parcel with over 900 feet of ocean frontage in the exquisite Montauk Moorlands is ultra-private. It is truly one of the most extraordinary homes in the world and is bordered to the east by over 190 acres of oceanfront parkland with an additional 2,200 ft. of coastline. Sitting on top of the cliffs provides the home with 360 degree views with the most private sandy beach on the East End.”
It is no wonder that the local in the know call this area “Cavett Cove” since the most private of paths winds to an oceanfront cove. Light and space fills the senses and as Mr. Cavett says, “There just isn’t a bad day in Montauk in a house like this.” And then the unexpected occurred. The original house burned down in a fire in 1997 leaving only the chimney. Undaunted, Cavett and his late wife Carrie Nye, used photographs, forensic clues from the rubble, photographs of the house, and memory to rebuilt it almost exactly as it originally was. With credit to Carrie Nye and forensic architect James Hadley, the tour de force from Men at Work, and caretaker of 30 plus years, Gregory Donohue, who all worked hard to authentically reproduce the structure. Cavett explained that, “Painting artist John Pomianowski reproduced wood stains and paint finishes for quirky walls, floors, and ceilings made of aged southern pine and American black cherry resourced from old timbers. We even used a photo of our then two shih tzu dogs with their paws on an upstairs windowsill to determine the sill height.”
The nearly 6,000-square-feet, three levels of light and space also include a wraparound porch that offers spectacular water views. The calming interior has a country kitchen that opens onto a porch, formal dining room just steps away, a living room with a fireplace, library, and an elegant master suite that boasts a sleeping porch. There are seven bedrooms and five bathrooms all together with plenty of space to entertain guests. Cavett, true to his fun loving nature, recounted the evening that Muhammed Ali spent the night: “My late wife Carrie called the house one afternoon from NYC and said, ‘Darlin’? Ali answered the phone, and said, ‘this ain’t ‘Darlin’. It’s the only three time heavyweight champion of the world, and I’m lyin’ in your bed and watchin’ your tv!’”
Additionally, atop the alluring structure is a working bell tower, while the surrounding property features a swimming pool, walking trails, a half-acre natural freshwater pond with a pond house, and a pathway that leads to a cove and the private beach of Cavett Cove. A charming half-acre garden, landscaped to perfection with trees, vines, a slope with ferns and multitudes of flora and fauna. A traditional 19th century style gazebo and stone steps grace the area.
Inviting, charming, full of history and stories and so very private, you too can relish the sun, moon, stars, sea, and of course, become a part of the very short list of former owners on a bronze plaque to be found on the garden stone.
165 Deforest Road, Montauk, NY
