Dive into the USA’s prime waterfront homes
Join in the 4th of July celebrations with a tour of the best waterfront locations on America’s east and west coasts.
The USA coastline covers over 95,000 miles and includes some of the world’s most desirable second home locations. Prime choices include intimate villages of the Hamptons, Miami with its urban-meets-resort vibe, and the golden beaches of California. As the USA’s summer season starts in earnest, kick-started by the annual Independence Day celebrations on the 4th of July, it’s an ideal time to look at the superb homes Knight Frank offers nationwide through its partnership with Douglas Elliman Real Estate.
“An active, outdoor waterfront lifestyle is all part of the American dream, along with beautiful views, a peaceful plot and charming architecture,” says Jason Mansfield from Knight Frank’s International Residential team. “The best way to celebrate July 4th, or any point of the summer holidays, is by getting together with family and friends in a beach house somewhere special, such as Nantucket off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, or perhaps Laguna Beach in California for example, and this has been a goal for generations.”
Miami
Miami, once considered to be little more than a beach and party city, has come of age. Today, it offers year-round culture with notable museums and galleries, inspirational street art and performing arts centres showing opera to Broadway shows. As the city has matured, it has become one of the best places to live in the USA, luring both domestic and international homeowners.
“Over recent years, wealthy Americans have moved to the Miami area because it offers an exceptional quality of life with the added bonus of being on the ocean,” says Jason Mansfield. “And in response, the city has really upped its game, now offering big city facilities with a relaxed Florida mentality, something for everyone at every age. You’ll find world-class restaurants, including fourteen with at least one Michelin star, and excellent culture all enhanced by superb weather.”
The property choices are equally as diverse as the lifestyle options. There’s the buzz and beauty of Miami Beach, including the glorious Art Deco buildings of South Beach, the high-rise modern amenity-rich condo apartments of Brickell and the leafy, calm and established low-level neighbourhoods of Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. Buyers also have a fast expanding choice of branded residences, from hotel, motor car and fashion brands, promising good facilities and exemplary service.
By the sands of Miami Beach on Collins Avenue, the historic Shore Club Hotel has been reimagined as a limited collection of 49 condominium residences alongside a one-of-kind ultra-luxury hotel brought to life by leading hospitality group, Auberge Resorts Collection. With both interior and exterior design by legendary architect Robert A. M. Stern, the property’s wave-like curves reference its seafront location and historic Miami architecture. Yacht-inspired interiors and gracious proportions are matched by exquisite amenities designed by AD100's Bryan O'Sullivan Studio that include pools, a fitness centre, lounges, libraries and meeting rooms and round-the-clock concierges. Full service is provided by Auberge Resorts Collection.
“The Shore Club occupies three oceanfront blocks and the area around it has become known as ‘billionaires beach’ because of the number of five-star hotels assembled there,” says Mansfield. “Within a short distance you have The Setai and The Faena as well as the soon to open Rosewood and Bulgari Hotels.”
The Hamptons
The 20 villages and neighbourhoods that make up the Hamptons at the eastern end of Long Island have some of the most exclusive homes for sale in the USA. Sag Harbor, Bridgehampton, Southampton, East Hampton and, at the extreme eastern point, Montauk are among sought-after locations where narrow paths lead down to wide sandy beaches.
“The Hamptons in general remain the number one choice for a holiday home for New Yorkers and for those across much of the eastern seaboard,” says Mansfield. “During Covid, property prices there rose rapidly and while they have returned to more usual growth levels, this remains a highly desirable, wealthy and competitive market.”
In Southampton, around 90 miles from New York and set high on a bluff with full water views and direct access to the sandy beach, a six-bedroom detached home on a near half-acre plot is for sale at $10,000,000. The contemporary design includes expansive glass walls, airy open-plan floor space and a designer kitchen.
In East Hampton South on the romantically named Lily Pond Lane, a six-bedroom shingle-tiled home in 1.81 acres sits directly on the beach. The house, for sale at $44,500,000, is a prime example of the best that the Hamptons offers, with 170 feet of private ocean frontage, a separate guest house, a pool and jacuzzi, and professionally lit tennis court and basketball court.
California
The most expensive private home sold in the USA last year was a magnificent mansion on eight clifftop acres above Malibu’s Pacific seafront. The buyers, paying $190 million to live beside this prestigious Californian beachfront, were billionaire superstar musicians Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
The Californian coast is perhaps the most iconic of all the USA’s waterfronts. Immortalised in songs and depicted in multiple films, names like Santa Monica, Venice Beach and Monterey sum up a world of laid-back charm and coastal beauty.
“California locations including Santa Barbara, Malibu, Laguna Beach, Marina del Ray and Newport Beach have highly desirable, trophy properties that combine large plots, good sea views and privacy,” says Mansfield. “In Southern California, ocean view homes currently for sale include a four-bedroom condominium in Laguna Beach for $4,495,000 and a six-bedroom home with a private staircase directly to Thousand Step Beach for $17,995,000.”
As the USA celebrates the 4th of July, arguably it’s most popular holiday, with fireworks and parades, many of those fortunate to live on the coast will be packing picnics and heading to the sands for a day somewhere on those 95,000 miles of gorgeous coastlines.
For more details on these and other waterfront retreats, contact Jason Mansfield to discuss your ideal 4th of July getaway.
