Almost a year and a half after it first hit the market for $49 million and following an extensive multimillion-dollar renovation, Billy Joel’s longtime residence in Centre Island, New York, is back on the market with a slightly increased asking price of just under $50 million. The 26-acre waterfront property, listed by Nancy Cuite and Lisa Lavelle of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Laffey International Realty, was acquired by the Grammy-winning artist in 2002 and named MiddleSea, reflecting its location and a nod to the musical note middle C.
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Situated on a peninsula between Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor, the estate features a 20,000-square-foot main house, alongside several other buildings, all with access to 2,000 feet of private shoreline, including a dock and boat ramp. Built in the early 1990s, the red-brick main residence boasts five en-suite bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, showcasing hardwood and marble floors, 30-foot ceilings, an elevator, and nautical-themed decor. Highlights include a grand foyer with a black-and-white checkerboard marble floor, elegant living and dining rooms, two kitchens, and a luxurious primary suite with dual closets and bathrooms. Additional spaces include a mahogany library with a stone fireplace, a bay-view parlor, a ballroom, a spa, and a wine cellar.
The expansive grounds feature rolling lawns, gardens, and pathways, along with a waterfall, two swimming pools, a gazebo, and a dining area under a pergola. Secondary buildings consist of a five-bedroom gatehouse, a Malibu-style beach house with three bedrooms, and a guesthouse equipped with a two-lane bowling alley and a four-car garage. A new maintenance building and an on-site helipad facilitate quick access to Manhattan or the Hamptons. According to The New York Times, a significant factor in Joel’s decision to sell the mansion, which he first visited while dredging oysters as a teenager, is the hefty annual tax bill of $567,686. “It’s not cheap, let’s put it that way,” he remarked. Besides his Centre Island home, the 75-year-old New York native also owns properties in Sag Harbor and Florida.