East Hampton Town announced on Thursday afternoon that town officials obtained a temporary restraining order to stop promoters' parties, photo shoots, product launches, and other commercial activities at a 10,000-square-foot house at 145 Neck Path in Springs.
According to the town, the house was the " 'secret location' of parties being advertised by promoters who would charge an admission fee and additional fees of up to $5,000 for reserved spots poolside and bottle service. . . . The promoters also offered bus service to the location with pickups and drop-offs in several Metro-New York locations," according to a press release from the town. "One advertised party that had been scheduled for August was to have admitted only those guests who dressed in white swimwear. Another would have required those interested in attending their event to go through a vetting process."
The modern house, which is on the market for $3.9 million, is owned by Juan Figueroa, according to the town. Mr. Figueroa is a co-owner of the former Williamsburg Savings Bank building in Brooklyn, which has been restored and transformed into an event space.
On Wednesday, Supreme Court Justice Vincent Martorana granted an order restraining Mr. Figueroa, the house manager, and "other individuals with an interest in a commercial use of the property" from using the house as a share house or motel, renting it without registration on the town's rental registry, or using it for any other non-residential activity.
The town said that individual rooms in the house had been listed for rent, and that the entire house had been offered for $2,700 per night. "It was described as being able to accommodate 20 overnight guests and, at one point, as containing common areas shared by guests and being run as a 'small boutique hotel,' with a house manager and butlers on premises," the town said.
“The misuse of residential properties in this way has clear negative impacts on neighbors that cannot be allowed to continue – from noise and late-night disruption to overcrowding, stress on overloaded septic systems, and other environmental impacts,” said East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc said in a release. “East Hampton Town’s residential areas are not ‘open for business’ and available to those who wish to make a quick profit on summertime events at the expense of our residents.”
The court injunction is the "result of a coordinated effort between the East Hampton Town Police Department, Ordinance Enforcement Department, the town attorney’s office, and the East Hampton Town Board," the town's statement said.