Center Island: Houses by the water and Billy Joel as a neighbor
THE SCOOP Visitors to the Village of Center Island – actually not an island, but a peninsula surrounded by Long Island Sound and the harbor of Oyster Bay – should drive to the end of Bayville Avenue, pass a Village Police Hut, and then drive along Center Island Road, the only main road, which has no commercial activity. It is an exclusive and private location, one of Long Island’s most private communities.
Residents of the village’s 185 homes pay high annual taxes for this seclusion and security — they can range from around $50,000 to well over $150,000.
Center Island Road, which runs from Bayville, is the main road through the village.
Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Most of the homes in the 1-square-mile village are custom-built brick mansions, large Colonials and cedar shingles built in the style of French chateaux, English estates and Hamptons designs, said Regina Rogers of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. Prices range from $1.5 million for an entry-level home to $15 million for a luxury waterfront estate.
Central Island overlooks Long Island Sound.
Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
At Center Island, you can see the subtle changes in daily life along the waterfront, notes Park Benjamin, a retired investment banker who has lived there for 11 years. Most of the houses are located on large plots of land, either at the water’s edge or with a view of the water.
“It’s just a very quiet and nice place,” Benjamin said.
Center Island Beach Park, actually in Bayville, faces Oyster Bay.
Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Although the village is remote, it is close to Center Island Beach in the town of Oyster Bay, just up the road on Bayville Avenue in adjacent Bayville. Residents can also access restaurants, shops and services in Bayville, as well as Oyster Bay and Locust Valley.
Bayville, off Center Island, is the closest mall.
Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
The Matinecock Indians originally hunted and fished in the area. In 1639 the Earl of Sterling sold Center Island to Mathew Sinderland for 10 shillings. Unaware of this agreement, the Matinecocks sold it to the Dutch in 1650. The case was settled in 1666 when the town of Oyster Bay purchased the land.
In the late 1800s, Center Island became a summer colony and saw the opening of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, which still exists today. Center Island was incorporated as a village in 1926 after beach bungalows began to appear after World War I.
Most of the larger houses on Center Island have gated entrances.
Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Village administrators recently passed bylaws limiting the use of leaf blowers on weekends and allowing stables on private property, the latter obliging Billy Joel, one of many bold names with homes on Center Island. Other notables have included members of the Roosevelt and Pell families, as well as Rupert Murdoch and Sean Hannity.
The Center Island Police Department is located at the entrance to Center Island.
Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
CONDOS AND CO-OPERATIVES There are no condos or co-ops on the market.
SELLING PRICE Between Sept. 1, 2021 and Sept. 30, 2022, there were seven home sales with a median sale price of $3.75 million, according to OneKey MLS. The lowest price for this period was $825,000 and the highest price was $9 million. During this period, a year earlier, there had been eight home sales with a median sale price of $2.5 million. The price range was $1.2 million to $7.5 million.
SOURCES: 2020 Census; 2020 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS; LIRR, data.nysed.gov
OTHER STATISTICS
Town Oyster Bay
Area 1.1 square miles
Postal code 11771
Population 407
Middle age 57.2
Median household income $177,917
Median home value $3.925 million
Monthly LIRR ticket from Oyster Bay $277
School district, graduation rate Oyster Bay-East Norwich, 89%
To park Central Island Beach Village Park
Library Oyster Bay – East Norwich
Hospitals Glen Cove Hospital, Syosset Hospital
NOW ON THE MARKET
Priced at $3.999 million, this estate on Center Island Road offers views and water access.
Credit: Douglas Elliman Realty
$3.999 million
Located on a hill, this French country estate built in 1986 with 5,768 square feet of living space has five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, with water views from every room as well as access to the water. It has a two-story entrance hall, a library with built-ins, and a master suite with a fireplace, balcony, and office. The 3.2 acre property includes a swimming pool and guest studio. Taxes are $51,050. Regina Rogers, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 516-759-0400.
Priced at $3.488 million, this French chateau-style estate on Center Island Road overlooks a bird sanctuary.
Credit: Douglas Elliman Realty
$3.488 million
Built in 1997 and recently renovated, this 6,540 square foot French chateau-style estate with four bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms on 3.21 acres off Long Island Sound overlooks a bird sanctuary. It has a marble terrace, a master suite on the first floor with two marble bathrooms and an office; living room with a bar with sink; butler’s pantry and gym. There is also a swimming pool and a two bedroom guest house. Private beach access comes with an annual $1,400 HOA fee. Taxes are $61,332. Regina Rogers, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 516-759-0400.
Priced at $3.05 million, this English country-inspired estate on Center Island Road boasts water views.
Credit: Daniel Gale Sotheby’s Internat
$3.05 million
At 6,600 square feet, this English country-inspired five-bedroom, 4.5-bath estate features harbor views, a grand hall with a nuptial staircase, an oversized living room with hardwood floors, a large dining room with curved windows and a master suite with a balcony overlooking the water. The 2.93 acre property includes an independent three car garage. Taxes are $51,623. Lowell Ackerman, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, 516-674-2000.
RECENTLY SOLD
$8.1 million
Central Island Path.
Style Contemporary
Bedrooms 6
Bathrooms 7 full, 2 half
Built 2014
Lot size 4.91 acres
Taxes $138,023
+/- List price -2.8 million dollars
Days on market 485
$3.75 million
Central Island Path.
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 5
Bathrooms 4 full, 2 half
Built nineteen eighty one
Lot size 4.04 acres
Taxes $82,381
+/- List price +$751,000
Days on market 87
$825,000
Central Island Path.
Style Ranch
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 2
Built 1959
Lot size 0.46 acres
Taxes $15,733
+/- List price -70 000$
Days on market 117
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of ads seven
Price scale $1.95 million to $10.75 million
Tax bracket $49,776 to $93,657
