Mega developer Harry Macklowe, 82, reportedly admitted to the East Hampton Village Zoning Board of Appeals this week that he didn’t get permits to do construction and clear wetlands at his new Hamptons home.
The move has outraged neighbors on Georgica Pond, reports The Post’s Jennifer Gould Keil.
Macklowe wants to legalize the additions to the property — but the board rejected the application. He bought the beach manse for $10.4 million in 2017. It’s within view of his old house he shared with ex-wife Linda Macklowe. The exes have that property on the market for $21 million after their divorce was finalized.
Macklowe shares his new home with wife Patricia Landeau, whose picture he plastered on his 432 Park Ave. building when they wed. The new home, once on the market for $19.5 million, sits on 2.7 acres and is 5,500 square feet with a pool and docking rights. But Macklowe added around 4,000 square feet which is “egregious,” neighbors say and potentially harmful to the wetlands.
According to the East Hampton Star, Macklowe’s lawyer, Richard Whalen, told the zoning board, “The great majority of the improvements that we’re coming to you for approval for have already been done. They were built without the benefit of a building permit, or variances or a wetland permit from this board.”
The work was done within 150 feet of wetlands in violation of the code, according to village planner Billy Hajek, the East Hampton Star reported. There was a stop work order in February. Macklowe’s side says they stopped work, while others at the hearing disputed it. The board’s chair said at a hearing, “You can’t buy a property on the pond and do anything you want without any permits.”
Macklowe was in a dispute with former neighbor Martha Stewart back in the ’90s over plantings on her property.
Macklowe and his lawyer did not return calls for comment.