Much like clothing trends, summer homes in the Hamptons are subject to a coming and going of fashionable preferences. This year, for example, it appears the white boxy mansion — an emblem of Hamptons wealth for nearly two decades — is beginning to fall out of favor among a certain type of buyer.
This per the real estate agent Eva Alt, a member of the Hudson Advisory team at Compass, who is regarded as among the best at tracking such changes.
Ms. Alt, 31, has branded herself “Prewar Eva” on Instagram, where she chronicles stories behind the blue-chip listings that catch her eye. These have included a Midtown carriage house once owned by the supermodel Claudia Schiffer and a palatial Fifth Avenue residence formerly occupied by a Sicilian princess (Ms. Alt represented the buyer on that sale, recorded at $7.55 million).
Her eye for stylish properties has earned her a following of nearly 12,000, many of whom window shop her posts as if they were a hybrid of Zillow and a design magazine. Among her community of followers are the actress Chloë Sevigny, the celebrity stylist Danielle Goldberg, the designer Ana Kraš and Flynn McGarry, a chef.
Before entering the real estate field in 2021, Ms. Alt led social media for the beauty company Glossier. Her approach is to act as not only an agent of properties but also an agent of taste. “I don’t just think of myself as a salesperson, I’m a true fan of real estate and a trusted adviser to my clients,” she said. “It’s not just pretty pictures on Instagram,” she added.
Based in Manhattan, Ms. Alt represents buyers and sellers in New York City and the Hamptons, the latter of which she has consistently visited for more than two decades, both as a vacationer (her aunt maintains a home in East Hampton) and as an agent.
Ms. Alt discussed the trends shaping the Hamptons real estate market this summer.
The interview below has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
What is the biggest shift you are seeing in terms of what buyers are looking for in a Hamptons home?
In the last two months I’ve noticed a reaction to a lot of the bland new builds from the 2010s: the generic, boxy white “Frankenmansion,” though there is still some demand for that. It seems like things are moving toward more respect for the Hamptons’ original style of architecture, which is indicated in some of the bigger trades this year in places like Sag Harbor. It’s feeling like a return to the look of an old house, even if it’s a new house. These kinds of buyers want something no one else has or can replicate — they’re at the very upper end of $20 million-plus. Many of the homes are sold furnished with everything in them.
In terms of the look and feel of properties, what are clients gravitating toward?
I’m seeing extremely sophisticated buyers look for a very high level of design finishes: Venetian plaster, antiques, more of a Steven Gambrel style. I’m seeing an interesting collision of materials like reclaimed wood with marble that create a layered, warm feel. With inflation and tariffs, there is a huge demand for turnkey properties. Building from scratch is not for the faint of heart, it’s years of permitting plus construction.
We are seeing a return to more compartmentalized living. Everyone still wants a huge kitchen and living room, but the focus is to have more distinct spaces and not having everyone jammed into one big room.
Why do you think people are moving away from the stark-white, modern beach home?
I think it’s partly due to the recent influence of Nancy Meyers, Martha Stewart and Ina Garten — a nod to the old Hamptons before pop-up shops and chaotic shopping centers. The classic look is what people are inspired by, and I think those women are extremely popular now, especially among younger audiences.
The opening of several high-end design shops that sell antiques and vintage furnishings also feels new and influential. In the past two years stores including Merit, Galerie Provenance and E-E Home Across The Street have opened.
Which Hamptons villages have piqued your interest this year?
The Amagansett Dunes is interesting because it’s one of the only areas you can find a very-close-to-oceanfront property for around $3 million, so I have definitely seen prices wake up there a lot. It’s more of a ’70s surf-y vibe, not prim and proper like Southampton.
Sag Harbor is recording record-breaking sales, which is also interesting to me. Because it’s not oceanfront, it feels far from the chaos and has the best year-round community.
What has been the focus for buyers and sellers when it comes to home exteriors?
Landscaping is everything. You can hide bad architecture with good landscaping but cannot hide bad landscaping. It takes time but adds huge value to a house. Even on a busy street, properties can feel secluded and it’s the one really important thing that makes a Hamptons house different from the city — you have space.
Misty White Sidell is a Times reporter covering shopping and fashion trends.
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