Construction on Watchcase Townhouses In Sag Harbor Begins; Renderings Released

Construction has begun and renderings were released last week of nine multimillion-dollar townhouses in the center of Sag Harbor Village—part of the massive transformation of the former Bulova Watchcase factory into luxury housing.

Although the townhouses, which are to be built on Sage and Church streets, are not part of the original factory building, they are part of the larger redevelopment of the long-defunct factory into upscale housing, dubbed “Watchcase.” The look of the townhouses was inspired by the design of 18th and 19th century Sag Harbor houses, but are “outfitted for 21st century living, with high ceilings, modern features and luxurious details,” according to the Watchcase website.

Craig Wood, managing member for Cape Advisors, the developer behind the project, said in a telephone interview last week that he expects to see significant progress on the townhouses over the next three to four months, with the exteriors likely finished by late summer or early fall. The townhouses will range from four bedrooms to six bedrooms and feature ceiling heights up to 10 feet. They will have terraces and garden patios with direct access to the outdoor, heated saltwater pool and fitness pavilion. Each will have its own private garage in the underground parking area.

Prices for the townhouses have been quoted ranging from $3.5 million to $6.5 million. They are being crafted by the same team turning the former factory into lofts and penthouses: Cape Advisors, design architect Beye Blinder Belle Architects, project architect Baldassano Architecture and interior designer Steven Gambrel.

The whole project is expected to be completed in the spring of 2014, according to Mr. Wood.

“It’s challenging restoring and trying to keep the integrity of an old building like this that was really falling down when we took it on,” Mr. Wood said. “It’s been very exciting trying to integrate the old and new and to keep the fabric and the feel of the old building and the historic nature of the whole site.”

He added that the townhouse project has been not only worthwhile but has also yielded a few previously unknown benefits.

“We’re excited by this,” he said, adding that the views from the townhouses above the treetops and the water are great, and, he acknowledged, a little unexpected. “We had focused on the views from the top of the factory building, and I guess hadn’t focused on what really terrific views you’d have from the townhouses as well.”

A spring sales launch is planned for near Memorial Day this year.