Iconic Hamptons 'House On Stilts' Collapses In Storm After Capturing Hearts For Decades; Town Moves To Remove

EAST HAMPTON, NY — A beloved "house on stilts" that has captured hearts and imaginations for photographers and artists alike for decades in East Hampton has collapsed due to recent storms, town officails said.

The home, which was uninhabitable for years, was located at 163 Mulford Lane in Amagansett.

With an eye toward public safety, East Hampton Town officials says emergency action has been taken to remove the storm-damaged residential structure after the building partially collapsed into surrounding waters and was declared unsafe by the town's building department.

The one-story structure, which has stood on pilings seaward of the shoreline for approximately two decades, "has been uninhabitable and disconnected from utilities for many years," town officials said.

Following recent storm conditions, the supporting pilings failed on or about January 31, causing the structure to collapse and "creating an imminent risk to public safety, navigation, and nearby coastal resources," the town said.

On February 3, the East Hampton Town Building Department placarded the site as unsafe under the New York State property maintenance code. Town officials determined that the deteriorating structure posed a serious risk of further breakup and debris dispersal into Gardiners Bay and surrounding wetlands, officials said.

To prevent debris from becoming a broader hazard to marine traffic, nearby properties, and sensitive natural areas, the town submitted an emergency authorization request to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, town officials said.

The proposed removal plan calls for barge-based access only, with no shoreline disturbance, and includes containment measures such as a debris boom to minimize environmental impacts, town officials said.

All debris would be removed by barge and disposed of at an approved upland facility.

"Protecting public safety and our coastal environment is a responsibility we take seriously," said East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez. "I am grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul and her team for their support and quick coordination as we work with the DEC to address this hazard. This structure had reached a point where inaction would have put people, property, and natural resources at risk, and acting quickly and responsibly is the right course."

"This was a rapidly evolving situation that required close coordination across town departments and with our state partners," said East Hampton Town Councilmember Tom Flight. "Our focus has been to address the hazard quickly and responsibly, with a plan that protects public safety, reduces risks to navigation, and limits impacts to nearby wetlands and coastal waters. Using a barge-based approach with containment measures allows the work to be done in a controlled manner and helps prevent debris from spreading into the bay and along the shoreline."

Town officials said they coordinated closely with the DEC, the town attorney’s office, marine patrol, and environmental staff to identify the safest and most efficient path forward.

"The town thanks Governor Hochul for her office’s assistance in helping move this emergency response forward. State officials confirmed that the town may proceed under emergency authority while DEC completes its review of the emergency authorization," town officials said.

The town has retained Chesterfield Associates, Inc. to perform the barge-based containment and removal work once conditions allow safe mobilization. The work is expected to take approximately two days, officials said.

The community mourned the loss of the house, which was well-loved by visitors, surfers, photographers and artists who basked in the scenic vista, stunning in what some deemed its stark simplicity.

"Our beloved house on stilts fell down last night," photographer James Katsipis wrote on Facebook. Katsipis had recently posted dramatic photos of the house during the display of Northern Lights and shared images after the house had fallen into the ice and snow.

"What a magical spot this was," he wrote. "I've been photographing it for over 20 years. Today I went to pay my respects and say thank you for all the joy you have brought me and my camera. . . This house hung on as long as she could and I think she deserves a good rest now."

Speaking with Patch, Katsipis said: "I think its end was very poetic and beautiful. I’m glad she went on her own with the help of nature than to see a bulldozer come and take her down."