For the person who has everything except a windmill home, this is the property for you, says listing agent Bobby Rosenbaum, who's with Douglas Elliman Real Estate. "There aren't too many other windmill homes," he says in what might be the understatement of the year.
Rosenbaum has had the listing of the converted windmill in Amagansett, NY, since 2013. It's currently listed for $8.5 million.
The price tag isn't just about the windmill, Rosenbaum says, because the property is also valued for "the land and the privacy." He adds, "it's a one-of-a-kind property."
The historic Hamptons house was once a working windmill built in the 1880s. In the mid-1950s, it was converted into a guesthouse for visitors of the main house on Quail Hill. That adjacent property, which includes a pool and a modern residence, is also available under a separate listing. Both listings are surrounded by forest and orchards, adding to the serene setting.
While low-key, the prized property has a star-studded history. Marilyn Monroe reportedly spent time there when she was married to playwright Arthur Miller, the agent says. Author Kurt Vonnegut and actor Terence Stamp also spent time there, but Monroe's presence may hold the strongest allure.
Photographer Sam Shaw took images of the Hollywood icon on the nearby beach. Rosenbaum could imagine someone with a "spiritual connection" to Monroe buying it for that reason alone. (Paging Elton John.)
After all, you won't buy this place because it's large. It isn't. At 1,300 square feet, the two-bedroom, one-bathroom (beautifully remodeled in marble) home is definitely cozy.
However, with its 5 acres, there's room to build a separate structure, with an allowance of up to 30,000 square feet. The windmill could go back to being a guesthouse.
Or you could simply enjoy living in the special spot among its unusual details. You may appreciate the mechanics of the windmill, which still exists on the third floor, a space currently used for storage.
And the second-floor bedroom is circular, "because the windmill is circular." Rosenbaum says. "It's like you're living inside an octagon. It's really cool."
Plus there's the pastoral setting. "Out the kitchen window looks down at the apple orchard," Rosenbaum says. "So when you're washing your dishes in the sink, you're looking at one of the sweetest views of the world."
And a pricey view at that.
There's good news for those without a movie star's bank account: The property is also available for rent for $50,000 for the year, or $40,000 for the summer season. The South Fork Country Club is around the corner, and the ocean is a short bike ride away.
The celebrity vibe here is alive and well: Alec Baldwin's ranch is also set in this exclusive enclave, according to the agent. On the rolling hills of this land, you can commune with nature, and with the spirit of Monroe.