Iconic Hamptons 'Stilt' House Collapses into Bay after 70 Years
A centuries-old beach house in Amagansett, Long Island, came crashing down into Gardiners Bay on Saturday night, its wooden pillars finally giving way to the relentless cold weather that had gripped the Northeast US for days. The infamous "stilt" house, which has stood isolated above the water since around 2004, when erosion stripped away the sandy shoreline, was seen partially submerged in ice-choked waters.
The aging structure, believed to have been built in the late 1940s or early 1950s, had become a well-known and frequently photographed local landmark despite its secluded location. However, its isolation belied a complex history, with officials once questioning whether to condemn the house over safety concerns and overdue property taxes.
According to local residents, the structure was originally built on the beach by carpenter John Easevoli, who restored it before moving away around 1966 or 1967. The building's current owners, Gary Ryan, had reportedly been struggling with maintenance costs, sparking questions about whether to take action.
As the winter storm subsided, officials began assessing damage and consulting with state authorities to determine next steps. East Hampton Town Councilman Tom Flight noted that marine contractors were advising on safe access and debris management, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and prevention.
The collapse marked a rare event in recent years, with Gardiners Bay rarely freezing over since 2015. The scene was particularly poignant, with the Northern Lights briefly illuminating the sky behind the house just two weeks prior to its demise.
While some may mourn the loss of this quirky local landmark, experts are clear that the "stilt" house's collapse serves as a stark reminder of the region's vulnerability to climate change and rising sea levels. As one resident noted, the structure was once a 100-foot walk from the water; now it lies just 30 feet from shore.
As officials work to address potential hazards and mitigate further damage, many are left wondering what other hidden gems may be lost in the coming years as the region continues to evolve and adapt to an increasingly unpredictable climate.
A centuries-old beach house in Amagansett, Long Island, came crashing down into Gardiners Bay on Saturday night, its wooden pillars finally giving way to the relentless cold weather that had gripped the Northeast US for days. The infamous "stilt" house, which has stood isolated above the water since around 2004, when erosion stripped away the sandy shoreline, was seen partially submerged in ice-choked waters.
The aging structure, believed to have been built in the late 1940s or early 1950s, had become a well-known and frequently photographed local landmark despite its secluded location. However, its isolation belied a complex history, with officials once questioning whether to condemn the house over safety concerns and overdue property taxes.
According to local residents, the structure was originally built on the beach by carpenter John Easevoli, who restored it before moving away around 1966 or 1967. The building's current owners, Gary Ryan, had reportedly been struggling with maintenance costs, sparking questions about whether to take action.
As the winter storm subsided, officials began assessing damage and consulting with state authorities to determine next steps. East Hampton Town Councilman Tom Flight noted that marine contractors were advising on safe access and debris management, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and prevention.
The collapse marked a rare event in recent years, with Gardiners Bay rarely freezing over since 2015. The scene was particularly poignant, with the Northern Lights briefly illuminating the sky behind the house just two weeks prior to its demise.
While some may mourn the loss of this quirky local landmark, experts are clear that the "stilt" house's collapse serves as a stark reminder of the region's vulnerability to climate change and rising sea levels. As one resident noted, the structure was once a 100-foot walk from the water; now it lies just 30 feet from shore.
As officials work to address potential hazards and mitigate further damage, many are left wondering what other hidden gems may be lost in the coming years as the region continues to evolve and adapt to an increasingly unpredictable climate.
. I mean, think about it, 70 years of weathering storms and erosion, and it's just a matter of time before it collapses into the bay. Those stilt thingies are basically a death sentence for any structure built on a beach, especially with the sea levels rising and all that. Climate change is no joke, folks 
. And yeah, it's sad to see an old landmark like this go, but let's be real, it was only a matter of time before it became another casualty of our warming planet 
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. I mean, even back then, that house was basically on borrowed time. And don't even get me started on those property taxes and maintenance costs... poor owners, poor guys 
. Anyway, next thing you know, some new development will pop up on that spot, and it'll be like the old place never existed 
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. I mean, the Northern Lights just happened to appear two weeks prior, which sounds like a pretty convenient coincidence. What are the actual temps and wind speeds around that time? How did the structure's design not account for this level of stress on its stilt pillars? The article mentions it was originally built by John Easevoli, but what about maintenance records? Did the owners do any repairs or inspections in the past 10 years to address potential issues? And why didn't the state authorities crack down on overdue taxes and safety concerns sooner? This whole thing smells like a ticking time bomb waiting to happen 
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Stilt houses are like the canary in coal mine – if one goes, where's next? 
. I know we're supposed to be worried about climate change and sea levels rising, but when something like this happens... you can't help but feel a little bit of that nostalgia and "what if?" thinking 
. Still, I guess it's good that officials are on the case – gotta make sure the bay is safe for everyone 
. It's just a matter of time before we see more structures like this one disappearing into the sea 
. Fingers crossed that people and policymakers will learn from this and start taking action sooner rather than later 
like the fact that it was once 100ft away from the water and now it's literally just a few feet away is so eye opening 
like we knew it was a problem but seeing it happen firsthand is one thing, you know? 
and what's being done to prevent that from happening? are there any plans for beachfront conservation or preservation initiatives in the area? 
. climate change is no joke tho, and it's wild to think that something so iconic just got swallowed by the sea. next thing you know, our beaches will be like nintendo games – totally new levels of trouble!
. But also, gotta respect the power of nature, you know? It's like, we're all just guests on this planet, and sometimes the house can just come down 
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, can't believe another iconic landmark just got destroyed by the weather 
... I mean, I get it, it's been standing for like 70 years, but still, it was a part of history 
.
this "stilt" house was like a time capsule, you know? I used to take my siblings there on summer holidays back in '07, and it was literally just a 2-minute walk from the water 
. Now look at it, just floating away like a ghost ship 
. The Northern Lights even came out to witness its demise, what a shame! 
It's crazy how climate change is already rewriting history, you know? I remember when our parents were young and used to enjoy the beach without worrying about rising sea levels... those were the days 
but at the same time, I kinda knew it was only a matter of time before it came crashing down 
but let's be real, it was basically just a giant wooden stick in the water lol.
. I do love the bit about marine contractors assessing damage, though - feels like some extra credibility to go with the news 
. Anyway, it's just crazy to think that it used to be 100 feet from the water and now it's only 30... gotta keep an eye on those sea levels