august 2025
Breaking Ground in Hampton Bays: A New Gateway Takes Shape
At the iconic former site of the Hampton Bays Diner long recognized as the “Gateway to the Hamptons” a new commercial and medical campus is moving ahead. The project reflects over two years of careful planning, design development, and close collaboration with the Town of Southampton to align with community needs and vision. Between late 2023 and early 2024, bld engaged in a series of collaborative working sessions with the Southampton Planning Board, refining the site plan and addressing priorities such as vehicular access, shared easements, and alignment with the Town’s comprehensive plan. The site’s historical legacy as the former Hampton Bays Diner added layers of complexity and local interest.
Through early feasibility studies and a careful review of zoning regulations and the client’s long-term financial goals, bld guided the team toward an as-of-right commercial office campus, ultimately the most strategic path forward. This approach not only aligned with the Highway Business district requirements but also simplified the Town approval process, saving the client time, energy, and added risk.
Design work began shortly thereafter, culminating in a concept for two single-story commercial buildings totaling roughly 14,000 square feet. The design draws inspiration from traditional East End agricultural forms—barn-like in scale and rhythm—but reinterpreted using clean, modern lines and contemporary materials to deliver both contextual character and long-term durability.
The historical significance of the former diner site was also part of the discussion. The collaborative process ensured that the project was not only compliant, but also sensitive to local character and community expectations.
In April 2024, the project was formally submitted for site plan approval, with follow-up presentations and documentation provided throughout the summer. A full and coordinated submission was completed in February 2025, resulting in Planning Board approval shortly thereafter.
With site plan approvals secured, bld shifted focus to construction documentation and building permits. This included coordination with the Town’s Engineering Division, Corporation Counsel, and Building Department to finalize storm water management, easements, and Covenants and Restrictions. A formal permit submission was made in April 2025 using the Town’s expedited review program, with final approval granted in June.
The project team is now moving into construction with site work anticipated to begin in Summer 2025. Once complete, the Hampton Bays Commercial & Medical Campus will provide much-needed professional office and healthcare space in a location that honors the site’s past while looking confidently toward the future.