In Quogue, A Summer Retreat For Someone New

When film director, producer and writer Dick Richards and his wife, Hilke, visited Quogue, they discovered what would become their summer retreat for more than 50 years.

The couple had been good friends with Jerry and Eileen Ford, founders of the international modeling agency Ford Models, who had a house in the quiet village. “We became houseguests and loved it,” said Mr. Richards, whose wife is a former Ford model.

In 1963, the Richardses bought their 1.10-acre property at 162 Dune Road in Quogue and built their summer home. “I wanted to design a house that looked like it belonged on the beach, and I was influenced by a French barn,” said Mr. Richards, whose lengthy filmography includes “Tootsie,” starring Dustin Hoffman.

Over time, they renovated the house and expanded on it, adding two garages and a new master bedroom suite with dramatic bay views, as well as a new master bath.

The house is 5,100 square feet, with five bedrooms and four baths. First-floor highlights include a gourmet chef’s kitchen, a den with built-in bookcases and a two-story octagon-shaped living room, featuring cross beams and a wall of windows. Upstairs is the master suite and a private wing of guest bedrooms.

“The living room is great, it’s airy,” said Mr. Richards about one of his favorite rooms in the house, adding that the master suite is another. “I’ve got a giant room with 180-degree exposure and windows. I can go there and retreat.”

Outside sits an oceanside pool, an outdoor shower, and access to the ocean beach and to a bayside dock for boating. The house was not only a getaway for the Richardses and their four children; it also served as a retreat for friends and extended family who became habitual houseguests during the warm season.

These days, stays at the house are few and far between, as the family spends more time on the West Coast and work has led Mr. Richards into New York City and throughout Europe. They put it on the market about four weeks ago, listing it with Enzo Morabito, Aimee Fitzpatrick Martin and Tim Morabito at Douglas Elliman for $5.35 million.

“I’m planning to spend more time in California, and it seems my life has taken me to New York City,” said Mr. Richards, who has an apartment in the city. Still, memories of their time out East will always be fond. “I love Quogue. It’s really a great place.”