Dune Deck Takes Shape In Westhampton Beach

Driving west on Dune Road in Westhampton Beach, it would be difficult to miss the site of the new Dune Deck, an ultra private club on the ocean that is set to open later this summer.

There is still much left to do in order for the club, which will feature an in-house restaurant, private beach, a pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and food service in the sand, to meet its July 1 opening date, but the property is definitely taking shape.

But don’t expect to splurge on a night at the new luxurious getaway any time soon. Dune Deck will be operating more like a private club than a hotel, with members paying an annual fee to access the property that sits just east of Westhampton Beach Village-owned Lashley Beach. Instead of booking a room, or buying a suite, members will notify the club when they wish to visit and will be assigned a space as they arrive—meaning they may not have the same suite for every visit. Guests will also be limited during July and August to 14 nights maximum.

The property is owned and will be operated by the Discovery Land Company—the would-be owners behind the controversial golf course and townhouse project being debated by Southampton Town and dubbed The Hills at Southampton. Discovery Land purchased the former 69-unit Dune Deck complex in 2015 for $19 million and razed the existing structure because of asbestos concerns and structural issues with the roof.

When all is said and done, the new 32,141-square-foot resort will feature 33 two-room suites, but only 14 will be ready for this summer, according to Kienan Brownrigg, a representative of Discovery Land. The suites will each feature two rooms, a bedroom and a living room area, and each has a full kitchenette. The average size of the suites will be 594 square feet, plus an additional 150-square-foot balcony.

A highlight of the property will be the pool area, which features a 60-foot long-swimming pool overlooking the dunes and the ocean. Kids will have the option of swimming in a kiddie pool directly next to the adult-sized pool, and adults can also enjoy a hot tub on the same deck.

To the east of the pool is the tiki-bar deck, where lounge chairs and tables will be set up for members to relax near the ocean or an outdoor fireplace. The property also features a wine room, spa and fitness center, and food/drink delivery to the property beach.

“Discovery Land likes creating an environment that is equally as appealing to kids as it is to adults,” Ms. Brownrigg said. “All the adults want to come here and relax but if kids don’t want to come, it is no fun for them. So we strive to create a fun experience for kids—anything from surfing to wake boarding—we have people to take care of them and hang out with them so parents can enjoy and don’t worry about what they are up to.”

The deck feeds into the restaurant, which has not been named yet, but will be run by Chef Francis Reynard. A Brazilian native with French roots, Mr. Reynard attended the Hotel Management School in the Southwest of France and has cooked for celebrities, politicians, past presidents and leaders worldwide. He has earned a Michelin Star for his work as executive chef of the Villa Principe Leopoldo in Switzerland. Most recently, he has been working on cultivating the restaurant for another Discovery Land property in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and plans to bring his style that he describes as “French classic with world influences and a New York state of mind,” to Westhampton Beach.

The restaurant will primarily serve the members of the club, but occasionally locals will be able to make reservations to eat on the property during the week or winter.