The Hedges Inn, Historic East Hampton Village Property, Is in Contract

The Hedges Inn in East Hampton Village — which last year came under scrutiny as a rumored site of a Hamptons outpost of the Zero Bond members-only club in Manhattan, spurring a move by the Village Board to adopt resolutions to define and prohibit nightclubs from the historic district — is in contract for sale.

Andrew and Sarah Wetenhall, owners of The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, are in contract to purchase the historic inn, which was built in 1873 by John D. Hedges and is on the National Register of Historic Places, from the Cumming family.

“As multi-generational property owners in East Hampton and current residents of historic Sag Harbor, we deeply appreciate the unique heritage of this special place,” Sarah Wetenhall said in a statement. “The Village of East Hampton is a true treasure, and we are committed to preserving its character.”

The purchase “is a commitment to protecting this important piece of our community’s history for future generations,” she said. “As guardians of The Hedges, we are dedicated to strengthening community ties while honoring the village’s cultural heritage. Our goal is to create an experience where guests feel welcomed and valued — where tradition and modernity come together seamlessly. We look forward to providing an intimate, one-of-a-kind experience for both longtime residents as well as those discovering the village for the first time.”

“As we transition into a new chapter, it is of great personal importance to entrust this legacy to someone with deep appreciation for the unique charm and history of East Hampton to ensure that the essence of The Hedges will be maintained,” John Cumming, an owner of the inn, said in the same statement. He expressed confidence that the inn will maintain its historic significance while evolving to “meet the needs and expectations of both locals and travelers.”

The inn’s new owners plan to offer amenities and partnerships from The Colony, and will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, partnering with local farmers and other purveyors. Game nights, including bingo and trivia, are also planned. Under their stewardship, The Colony has been listed on the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List and was named the No. 1 hotel in Florida by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

Mayor Jerry Larsen said he had met with The Hedges Inn’s prospective buyers at The Colony late last month. “We had a really nice conversation,” he said. “I think they’re going to be a really good fit for the Village.”

The Wetenhalls, he said, are “well aware of what happened last summer, and they’re more than happy to comply” with the village regulations as to operating hours and permitted activities. “They’re very conscious of neighbors’ concerns. They have a very similar setup in Palm Beach. They’re very community-oriented, they hold events for the Fire Department, Police Department and local charities, and they plan on doing the same thing up here. I think they’re going to be terrific. I’m excited about working with them.”

Last summer, Larsen wrote to the New York State Liquor Authority with an “urgent request” regarding the renewal of the Hedges Inn’s liquor license, which was up for renewal, due to “critical issues” that he said violated the conditions of the inn’s zoning conditions and village ordinances. Concerned about a potential influx of late-night clubs and attendant traffic, noise and disorder, in May 2024 the Village Board amended the code to prohibit restaurants in the Main Street historic district from remaining open for business after 11:30 p.m. or taking orders for food or beverages after 11 p.m. The board later tightened regulation of those establishments further by prohibiting late-night restaurant clubs outright.

The inn had executed a management agreement with Scott Sartiano, a founder of Zero Bond, which was in effect through the summer. Ultimately, a Zero Bond outpost did not appear at The Hedges Inn but rather a pop-up restaurant.

In October, Larsen communicated to the East Hampton Town Board the village’s plan to purchase the historic inns as they became available. In addition to The Hedges Inn, those establishments include the Maidstone Hotel, the Huntting Inn, 1770 House and The Baker House. Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez replied with qualified support, voicing agreement with the intention but questioning the proposed method.

The mayor said that the larger goal was not to own the inns but rather to ensure their preservation and the public’s access to them. “I think this family is going to accomplish my goal,” he said of the Wetenhalls. “The ultimate goal is to get people who are really friendly and courteous to the neighbors. The whole thing about buying them [was], we can lose them to a private entity and none of the public would ever have access to these historic structures again.”