The End of an Era
Westhampton's Historic Beach & Bay Bungalows Announce Final Season
“You really cannot miss them, as they tend to lend their unique matching square shape pointy grey roofs to an era of Westhampton Beach that has long since passed,” begins Carla Zarse's tale of the Bay & Beach Bungalows for Dan's Papers.
But … we will miss them.
The Westhampton historic Dune Road bungalows have officially announced that this will be their final season. The long-loved out East dwellings that created lasting memories for so many will sadly shutter at the end of September 2024.
"The Bungalows have served Long Island honorably since 1943,” said Chad Gessin, Partner and Director of Design and Construction. “However, they have been non-conforming with local zoning for decades. First Dunes purchased them in 2020 with the intention of converting them to residential use with modern, environmentally-friendly septic systems which would reduce nitrogen output at the site by over 95%. And the time for that conversion has arrived."
The storied cottages were purchased by Zarse's grandfather in the fall of 1943. Then just six little beach shacks amidst beach roses, poison ivy, and little else, the lot and all went for $10,000. As one might imagine a different time altogether, Dune Road was barren and desolate in ‘43, scattered with empty lots and the ruined remains of the 1938 hurricane. But the community was on the uptick to repair and Zarse's grandfather was a major part of its transformation. Thus, The West Bay Cabanas were born.
Basic and charming, a stay would run a patron just a few dollars a night. “Renters, at that time, used to joke that if you planned to have a boiled lobster dinner you had to start the pot of water first thing in the morning in order for it to be hot enough to reach a boil by sunset. But despite the small pitfalls, the most beautiful sunsets were always abundant,” says Zarse.
The previous history of the bungalows, most of the land's history being passed down orally from generation to generation, was largely unconfirmed. But in 2018, local resident Don Metcalf purchased a scrapbook on eBay containing a sketch one serviceman jotted in pencil, entitled “My impression of Westhampton Beach.” After some sleuthing, Metcalf alongside the WHB Historical Society discovered aerial images of the Dune Road land used by the 714th Signal Aircraft Warning Company (AWC) matching the rudimentary sketched image. After the war, the WBH news states, “the wooden tent frames were salvaged and incorporated into rental cottages.”
Read the WBH Historical Society's full story here.
Fast-forwarding to 2010, the property was taken over by Harris Brenner and named The Beehive Bungalows for ten fruitful years. However, in the wake of 2020, the hidden gem changed hands once again. “I am so fortunate to say that the past 10 summers have been the best of my life,” said Brenner in closing remarks. “I'd developed a successful seasonal business, hosted amazing people from all over the world, met my wife, Megan, was married on the sand, and hopefully held a special place in all of your hearts. As we welcomed our Baby Bee, Eleanore, into the world this past January, I knew that this coming summer would be very different. The news of the sale is upsetting, but it puts closure on what was otherwise the most fulfilling dream job anyone could've asked for.”
Steeped in narrative and overflowing with nostalgia for many, it's with a heavy sigh that we see the Bungalows go. But! There's still time to squeeze in one last memory-making getaway this season. To hear the waves of the Atlantic crashing against crisp, white sand. To smell the salt emanating from the silky smooth bay. And to watch the sun set in the distance on those perfect, crystal-clear Hamptons days.