East End hotel project gets Suffolk IDA assist

An $11.5 million redevelopment project that will bring a new boutique hotel to Westhampton Beach has received preliminary approval for economic incentives from the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency. 

Melville-based Peconic Equities will be transforming the former Grassmere Inn into a 16-key luxury hotel called Seven Beach Lane, which is also the address of the property.  

The redevelopment project will restore the original inn and create a new, modern addition to the back of the building, connecting the old historic style with contemporary design. The new Westhampton Beach hotel is designed by Patchogue-based bld Architecture and Melville-based Beth Donner Design is its interior designer. 

Amenities at the new hotel will include an outdoor pool and bar, as well as an indoor restaurant and lounge for hotel guests. Located on a 1-acre property in the center of Westhampton Beach, Seven Beach Lane is a stone’s throw from downtown restaurants, shops, and galleries. It is also less than two miles from Rogers Beach on Dune Road, a popular public beach that serves the Westhampton area. 

“The Seven Beach Lane hotel project is not simply focused on adding much needed hospitality space, but creating a new tourist destination in one of the most sought-after portions of the Hamptons due to its ease of access and world-class beaches,” Suffolk IDA Executive Director Tony Catapano said in an agency statement. “The IDA is pleased to be a part of this unique project that will be an attraction for out-of-region visitors and a boon for local merchants in downtown Westhampton Beach.” 

Corey Gluckstal, principal of Peconic Equities, said the project couldn’t get done without the support of the IDA. 

“We have no plans of this being your typical hotel,” Gluckstal said in the statement. “People will select this location for their stay because it provides amenities and a location that makes it a destination within itself. We are excited to get this project underway and add one more place on Long Island’s East End that can attract new customers for many local businesses.” 

Construction on the hotel project is expected to start in September.