- A sprawling Hamptons estate rented for $2 million from the end of March to Labor Day, breaking a record for Long Island’s East End, The New York Post reported.
- The 11-bedroom mansion was rented by a Manhattan businessman and his family who left the city due to the coronavirus, the home’s developer told the Post.
- The home, which was rented by Beyoncé and Jay-Z in 2012, has a 60-foot swimming pool, a spa, a two-lane bowling alley, a basketball court, and other lavish amenities.
- It’s also listed for sale for nearly $40 million.
- Rental prices in the Hamptons have skyrocketed in the past couple months as wealthy New Yorkers flee the city.
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The Hamptons, the ritzy vacation destination for affluent New Yorkers, is no stranger to high price tags.
But in March, as the coronavirus pandemic took hold in the US, a sprawling mansion known as the Sandcastle was rented for nearly $2 million, breaking a record for Long Island’s East End, Jennifer Gould Keil reported for The New York Post.
Legendary Hamptons developer Joe Farrell, who built the house, said the 11-bedroom Bridgehampton home rented for close to its $2 million asking price a day after it was listed. It was snapped up by “a textile tycoon and his family who were stuck in Manhattan and wanted to leave the city on a day’s notice. This was a COVID situation – not a normal summer rental,” Farrell said, per the Post.
Farrell did not respond to Business Insider’s request for comment.
The Hamptons rental season has started early as New Yorkers flee the city in search of larger, more secluded homes to ride out the pandemic. The market has skyrocketed, leaving even "middle-class rich people" priced out of the market.
The Sandcastle estate regularly draws celebrity renters, including Jay-Z and Beyoncé, who reportedly paid $400,000 to stay in the house for a month in 2012. The property boasts 31,000 square feet of lavish amenities including a movie theater, bowling alley, walk-in refrigerator, wine room, climbing wall, basketball court, private gym, and spa.
Per the Post, the estate was listed for rent with Saunders & Associates, who did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment. It's also listed for sale for nearly $40 million.
Julie Zeveloff and Callie Bost contributed to an earlier version of this story.
The Hamptons' $2 million rental, the Sandcastle estate, sits on 11.5 acres on swanky Halsey Lane in Bridgehampton, New York.
Bridgehampton is one of the Hamptons' central hubs, full of both modern beachfront estates and traditional shingle-style houses. The median home price is nearly $4 million.
The mansion has more than 17,000 square feet of living space.
Source: Saunders Real Estate
The spacious chef's kitchen has a walk-in refrigerator and is supported by an additional full prep kitchen, a butler's pantry, and a wine room.
Source: Saunders Real Estate
The home has 11 bedrooms.
Source: Saunders Real Estate
The master suite alone spans 2,800 square feet.
Source: Saunders Real Estate
The home is chock full of amenities including a two-lane bowling alley ...
Source: Saunders Real Estate
... a fitness center and a basketball court ...
Source: Saunders Real Estate
... and a spa with fireplace, in-floor Jacuzzi, hydraulic massage tables, sauna, steam room, and showers.
Source: Saunders Real Estate
Then there's the "Air Lounge," a children's entertainment center with virtual golf, a half-pipe, and a rock climbing wall.
Other amenities include a movie theater and a club area with a DJ booth, full bar, wine room, and a lounge with five TVs.
The view over the swimming pool and grounds from the second floor resembles a high-end resort.
Source: Saunders Real Estate
The main house overlooks the 60-foot by 20-foot heated pool, which has an underwater speaker system.
Source: Saunders Real Estate
Lounge areas and trees surround the pool.
Source: Saunders Real Estate
A covered outdoor lounge space and an outdoor kitchen are just steps from the pool.
Source: Saunders Real Estate
A 2,400-square-foot pool house includes two bedrooms, multiple yoga and studio rooms, and an underground hot tub out back.
Source: Saunders Real Estate
To top it all off, the Sandcastle estate boasts its own sunken tennis court.
Source: Saunders Real Estate