History of Hamptons Architecture: From "Shingle Style" To Mega Mansions

In the glittering world of the Hamptons - a shining jewel on the East Coast, a beachside haven for the affluent, the influential, and the very crème de la crème of society - a unique set of circumstances have lead to the development of its sense of architectural wonder.
However, this hasn’t always been simply a place where fortunes are flaunted.
The Hamptons - over the years - has been somewhere architecture dances an elegant ballet with landscape, where artists nestle in their Bohemian homesteads to create the next creative masterpiece, and where buildings don't just stand - they command and enthrall.
Now, over the years, the evolution of architecture in the Hamptons has been nothing short of a riveting spectacle.
----------------------------
Top 10 Must See "Old Money" MANSIONS in MASSACHUSETTS: • Top 10 Must See "Old M...
----------------------------
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
1:24 1. The Roots: 19th Century Hamptons Architecture
3:27 2. Early 20th Century Developments In Hamptons Architecture
5:41 3. The Modernist Invasion: Middle 20th Century History of The Hamptons
7:43 4. Late 20th Century to Early 21st Century: The Era of Mega-Mansions
9:46 5. Recent Trends: When Sustainability Rubs Shoulders with Luxury
----------------------------
Now, over the years, the evolution of architecture in the Hamptons has been nothing short of a riveting spectacle.
You may think you're familiar with this bastion of Northeast opulence - but have you ever truly stopped to consider the bricks and mortar that make up its architectural soul?
There's a hidden narrative written in stone and steel, embossed in the Hamptons' landscape - one that whispers tales of Greek Revival grandeur, modernist innovation, and eco-conscious luxury.
As we embark on a historical voyage to the 19th century, the Hamptons paints a fascinating tableau of architectural masterpieces.
Styles like Greek Revival, Italianate, and Gothic Revival graced the landscape of this idyllic destination, adding an air of sophistication and grandeur that the Hamptons are now famed for.
Now, Greek Revival Architecture was the epitome of elegance and balance.
Picture it - Symmetrical structures crowned with commanding porticos, boasting arched openings - the very picture of late 18th and early 19th-century architectural prowess.
It was an era when grandeur was not merely an afterthought, but a necessity.
The dawn of the 20th century ushered in a fresh wave of architectural brilliance in the Hamptons.
The world sat up and took notice as the Shingle style and the Arts and Crafts movement started influencing the picturesque landscape of this prestigious location.
Imagine this - the Shingle style sweeping across the Hamptons, its origins embedded in the serene landscapes of New England.
A style characterized by an extensive - almost artistic use of wood shingles - adorning not just the siding but the roofs too.
Add to that expansive porches under the canopy of multi-gabled roofs, and you have the perfect setting for a relaxed Hampton evening.
A graceful departure from the elaborate patterns of the Eastlake style in Queen Anne architecture, the Shingle style was a marriage of English influences and a rekindled romance with Colonial American architecture.
The middle of the 20th century bore witness to a seismic shift in the architectural landscape of the Hamptons.
An invasion, if you will.
This wasn't an invasion by land or sea - but an ideological one - led by the pioneering architects of modernism, Andrew Geller and Peter Blake.
Suddenly, the Hamptons transformed from a sedate, colonial-inspired idyll into a playground for architectural innovation.
Architects and designers of the era - seemingly fuelled by a potent mix of creative courage and rebellious spirit - broke free from the shackles of traditional forms.
From the late 20th to the early 21st century, a new architectural movement emerged in the Hamptons.
And, it was indeed a movement characterized by audacious displays of wealth and opulence.
Yes, my friends, at this time we entered the era of the 'Mega-Mansion'.
Suddenly, the Hamptons transformed into a game of Monopoly for the super-rich, where opulent homes were as much a statement of power and wealth as they were living spaces.
These architectural behemoths dramatically altered both the architectural and cultural landscapes of this historically serene haven.
The rise of mega-mansions in the Hamptons was driven by a seemingly insatiable appetite for luxury and status.

[@oldmoneymansions]

COMMENT: Do you happen to live or “summer” in the Hamptons - and have you noticed these developments over the years?

[@stephanebelizaire3627]

Wonderful !

[@Turkishmen35YB]

So much loves from TÜRKİYE 🇹🇷🌹😎🔥

[@LSTEdD1]

Not only do I not “summer” in The Hamptons” I don’t use “summer” as a verb. But I am very happy with my coastal home in Connecticut.😊

[@breznevolaso4090]

For me; most people belong to the upper crust of society, their preference in terms of interior design usually either, shabby chic, french provincial, cottage style (hampton style), and, for the old aristocrats- the french palatial style. More often- someone's home interior, is a reflection of one's taste.

[@LlyleHunter]

For me it’s French Shabby Chic. Feels homey

[@usapanda7303]

First twice in a row 🎉🎉

[@oldmoneymansions]

Well done! 😎

[@marinedrive5484]

Modernism certainly didn't do the Hamptons any favours, nor do the rather overbearing mega-mansions and why do eco-homes have to be so ugly? Love the shingle-style homes which are a very pleasant mix of Victorian styles: Queen Anne, neoclassicism, and Richardson Romanesque - well-suited to the relaxed, coastal atmosphere of the Hamptons.👍