Located in Southampton’s prestigious Fairlea enclave just off Gin Lane, this 5,100-square-foot home known as “Clover Top” awaits with a price tag of $18.5 million. Built in 1883, the dwelling exemplifies the restrained Stick style with Queen Anne influences, an elegant combination popular during the late 19th-century. It’s historic allure goes deeper than that, however. Clover Top sits alongside its sister home “Wild Rose,” which were both originally part of Alfred Nelson’s Fair Lea six-home compound.
In 1874, Nelson, a New York-based shipping magnate, and his wife, Emily Fairlee Ogden, a descendant of Mayflower Pilgrim John Ogden, purchased an undeveloped eight-acre parcel for just $2,100—the equivalent of about $61,000 today, according to Robb Report. They later added more land, and by the turn of the century, six cottages stood along the lane winding down to the beach.
This treasured property, 3 Fair Lea Road, nods to the timeless craftsmanship of that era with steeply pitched gables, octagonal towers, wrap-around porches, and original louvered shutters. These details have been preserved for over a century thanks to some of its notable past owners, including Alexandra Von Hohenzollern and Prince Karl Friedrich von Hohenzollern. As you step inside you’re welcomed by a sophisticated foyer showcasing a carved staircase and a grand fireplace. The formal living and dining rooms—both grounded with fireplaces—are poised for hosting cozy winter gatherings, especially during the holidays. When summer comes, one can also swing open the French doors to utilize the wrap-around terrace, too.
Scaling three floors, the house is ready to welcome hoards of family and friends with eight bedrooms, six bathrooms, and a separate guest wing with a bedroom, living area, and full bath. Moments from the beach, its lush grounds span 1.3 acres and include a a heated gunite pool, a cabana, and an outdoor shower to wash off after a trip to the ocean.
Michaela Keszler and Paulina Keszler of Douglas Elliman hold the ultra-luxurious Hamptons listing.
