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The new owners of the historic Village Latch Inn in Southampton Village plan to transform the former hotel into condominiums while preserving some classic features of the property.
Developer George Benedict, the father-in-law of Village Mayor Mark Epley, and his partner, Steve Dubb, would put 24 condominiums with garages on the 5.24-acre property.
“Our vision is to build condominium homes at the highest level of luxury befitting the Village of Southampton,” said Mr. Dubb.
The current Village Latch Inn building, formerly the “Grand Annex” to the Irving Hotel, and what is known as the Terry Cottage on the property would be preserved essentially as they are, according to a presentation on August 1 before the Southampton Village Planning Board. The two existing buildings combined would house five condominium units.
Nineteen new units would be built behind them, toward the rear of the property. Each unit would have its own one-car garage, and two carriage house-style buildings would provide parking for six cars apiece. There would also be additional “pockets” of parking at the site, which is at 101 and 109 Hill Street.
The plans will require the village’s approval of a change in use from a 67-unit boarding house and inn to a 24-unit multifamily residential use, among other requirements. The property is zoned for half-acre residential lots.
The applicants, who are listed as Beechwood Latch LLC, submitted a draft environmental impact statement voluntarily to expedite a determination from the board. But the board wanted further information, which was scheduled to be discussed at a Planning Board meeting on Monday, August 29.
The tennis courts would be removed, and a 20-foot-by-60-foot pool with a 2,200-square-foot clubhouse would be built. Leading toward the back of the property from the clubhouse would be a concrete sidewalk with seven condominiums on each side, and in the very back would be four more.
Some of the cedar and cherry groves currently on the property will be relocated and preserved.
“As a further reminder of the property’s iconic history, we will keep the Village Latch name,” Mr. Dubb said. “We expect the planning process will go well into 2017 with a view to giving new life to the Village Latch and in a way the village and town will be proud.”
The Village Latch Inn was put on the market by Marta and Marin White several years ago and purchased by Mr. Benedict and Mr. Dubb for $23 million in February. Through the Beechwood Organization, Mr. Dubb and Mr. Benedict also worked together on Bishops Pond, a luxury condominium development in the village.
Greg Wehner on Aug 29, 2016