Something to Talk About

    A glance at the deed transfers that occurred in the real estate market in East Hampton during the end of October through mid-November tells an interesting story indeed.

    First, there is Shaun and Camilla Woodward’s house on Highway Behind the Pond. Mr. Woodward — a British member of Parliament and former shadow secretary to Northern Ireland — and Mrs. Woodward, who is a member of the wealthy Sainsbury family who own a supermarket chain in England, put the property on the market in March at an asking price of $18.5 million, but settled on Nov. 10 for $16.75 million for the six bedroom estate.

    Remember back in August when the village was up in arms about the possibility of Gilt City throwing illegal commercial parties at a house on Fithian Lane? That house has sold as well, going for $5.8 million on Nov. 14.

    Heading east toward Amagansett, records show that East Hampton Town Councilman Dominick Stanzione purchased a house on Leeton Road on Napeague, close to the hotly contested stretch of sand that has property owners in the area suing the Town of East Hampton.

    Also in Amagansett, the sale of a forlorn property at 115 Main Street — formerly owned by the proprietors of the Crystal Room on Pantigo Road — to 23 Windmill Lane L.L.C., also known as the Reform Club and owned by Randy Lerner — seems to anticipate the expansion of one of the area’s high-class inns.

    In Sag Harbor, the former Methodist Church on Madison Street has been on the market for quite a while, but on Nov. 14 it was purchased for $2.1 million by Bauhaus L.L.C., the company owned by Elizabeth Dow, a textile designer. Ms. Dow is the director of Amagansett Applied Arts on Indian Wells Highway, where she also operates a textile and wall coverings studio. She plans to convert the Sag Harbor church into a studio, an apartment, and a retail space, according to The Sag Harbor Express.

    As notable as the large sales — which also include a $3.3-million sale in Montauk and an $8-million sale on Beach Lane in Wainscott — is a small sale, just $30,000, for a vacant quarter-acre in Springs.

    Mid-market sales were also evident, but it was the turnover of the several high-end properties that will have tongues wagging in brokerage offices over the holidays.