It’s a well-known fact that U.S. presidents enjoy vacationing with their families each summer, usually at a private sprawling estate near the ocean. The tradition goes back to at least the 1800s. One such vacation property is former President Chester A. Arthur’s stunning coastal home in Sag Harbor, New York.

The entry of the house featuring an elegant doorway lighted by a gorgeous ceiling light. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

Formal living room with a luxurious modern sofa set along with a stunning fireplace. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

A look at the formal living room with a striking fireplace and a dining nook on the side, featuring a stylish round dining table and chairs set. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

This formal dining room boasts a large rectangular dining table paired with classy chairs and a long bench seating lighted by an elegant chandelier. There's a massive fireplace on the side as well. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com. — This formal dining room boasts a large rectangular dining table paired with classy chairs and a long bench seating lighted by an elegant chandelier. There’s a massive fireplace on the side as well. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

Another look at the large formal dining room featuring an L-shaped bench seating and a rectangular dining table lighted by a glamorous chandelier. There's a massive fireplace on the side too. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com. — Another look at the large formal dining room featuring an L-shaped bench seating and a rectangular dining table lighted by a glamorous chandelier. There’s a massive fireplace on the side too. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

A focused look at the classy dining nook with a round dining table paired with classy chairs lighted by a luxury chandelier. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

L-shaped kitchen with black cabinetry and drawers, along with a thick countertop. There's a stylish square center island as well, and attractive flooring. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com. — L-shaped kitchen with black cabinetry and drawers, along with a thick countertop. There’s a stylish square center island as well, and attractive flooring. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

Another look at the kitchen featuring its black cabinetry and drawers, along with its stylish custom built center island. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

A bedroom suite with a twin bed set and a coffee table set. The room features gray walls and a custom ceiling. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

This bedroom suite offers a large modern luxurious bed set with a makeup table and chair set on the side, lighted by a table lamp. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

A guest room featuring a cozy bed set lighted by a table lamp on the side. There's also a TV on the wall. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com. — A guest room featuring a cozy bed set lighted by a table lamp on the side. There’s also a TV on the wall. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

The primary bedroom suite boasts a large and luxurious bed set lighted by stylish table lamps on both sides. The room also features attractive carpet flooring. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

A bathroom featuring a walk-in shower room and a pedestal sink on the side. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

A focused look at this bathroom's stylish side table and a pair of pedestal sinks. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com. — A focused look at this bathroom’s stylish side table and a pair of pedestal sinks. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

Another one of the bathrooms. This one features hardwood floors, wooden walls and a custom wooden ceiling. It also offers a walk-in shower and a pedestal sink. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

Primary bathroom boasting a classy freestanding deep soaking tub, a stunning double sink counter and a walk-in shower room. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

A basement with a small rectangular table paired with barrel seats, along with a wooden bar table and stool. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

The patio of the house offers a cozy outdoor living set surrounded by the property's landscaping. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com. — The patio of the house offers a cozy outdoor living set surrounded by the property’s landscaping. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

All photos are used with permission from TopTenRealEstateDeals.com

The estate was referred to as the “Summer White House” because the president and his family spent so much time there. Originally built in 1796 for a prominent whaling captain, the 5,900-square foot, six-bedroom, five-bathroom home recently underwent a complete redesign that took nearly three years.

Renowned New York-based architect Steven Gambrel headed up the renovations and today, the house is listed for sale for $14 million.

Gambrel is well-known for his design aesthetics that focus on light and functionality. With that in mind, he retained many of the Greek Revival-style home’s historic details while also opening up the floorplan and bringing more natural light inside, lending a sleek contemporary feel. A library, formal dining, and formal living room on the main floor each feature original fireplaces.

The refinished basement level contains a complete media room with a fireplace and a wine cellar with a dedicated tasting area. On the upper levels, the six bedrooms are distributed throughout the second and third floors, all with views of the charming Village of Sag Harbor.

The farmhouse-style kitchen is a show-stopper, featuring bold geometric-patterned floor tiles and dramatic lacquered black cabinets with gold hardware. It opens into the family room and both rooms overlook the lush gardens and gunite pool.

Indoor-outdoor living is synonymous with the Hamptons and keeping in line with that, there are multiple terraces and al fresco eating areas arranged around the pool. The 1/3-acre lot is heavily landscaped with mature trees, affording an exceptional level of privacy.

Sag Harbor is a unique destination in that it’s both quaint and ultra-posh. It’s situated in both East Hampton and Southampton and attracts throngs of people throughout the year – including many celebrities, yet retains its small-town charm. The community is close-knit, the type of place where families and couples still go for daily walks to get ice cream at night.

The main grocery store has been owned by the same family for decades and all of the streets are lined with beautiful mature trees. President Arthur’s estate is just a short walk down the road from Main Street, the bustling heart of Sag Harbor.

Arthur was the 21st U.S. president from 1881-1885, taking office after President James Garfield was shot and killed. During that time, Sag Harbor was a hub for the whaling industry. A pair of fires devastated the town in 1817 and 1845, but Arthur’s home remained untouched, adding an even more rich history to this already-spectacular estate.

The home has been listed on and off since the summer of 2016, with prices ranging from $13.5-14.2 million. It last sold for $3.5 million in 2014 to the former CEO of clothing company Esprit, Jürgen Friedrich, who was responsible for hiring Gambrel and having the property renovated.

Photo credit: Douglas Elliman

Source: www.elliman.com