Maria Babaev: Amenity-Filled Residences Are the Future of Long Island’s North Shore

By Grace Cassidy Known for its sprawling waterfront estates with enviable views of the Long Island Sound, the North Shore epitomizes the grandeur and scale of high-end suburban living. But according to one of the area’s leading real estate agents, the next big thing for Long Island’s so-called Gold Coast is comparatively small. Maria Babaev Maria Babaev , whose eponymous team at Douglas Elliman is the brokerage’s No. 1 team in Long Island, represents several units for sale at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Long Island, North Hills . A gated community that opened in 2019, the Ritz-Carlton-branded development promises “hotel-style living in elegantly crafted condominium residences.” And with over 90 percent of the units already sold— only eight are currently on the market —this development in a suburb 20 miles outside of Manhattan indicates that the growing appeal of hospitality-branded residences has reached beyond traditional urban markets like New York City, Miami and Dallas. “Luxury, amenity-filled residences are becoming more relevant and a lot more popular than in the past,” says Babaev. “Most of the buyers that are currently purchasing at The Ritz-Carlton are downsizing from larger estates that require a lot of upkeep and maintenance. Living at The Ritz-Carlton allows them to shift these responsibilities to the service team, who handles all of their requests promptly with white glove, iconic service.” Those amenities include 24-hour concierge and valet, a theater, fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, and car service directly to the Long Island Railroad. The 3111 unit, currently listed for $3,695,000, is a three-bedroom, three-and-one-half bath condo that offers over 3,700 square feet of interior living space and an additional 640 square feet of exterior space. Features include a double-door entry, a contemporary open floorplan, and a dual-sided fireplace in the den and living room. The well-equipped chef’s kitchen comes complete with Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, while a butler’s pantry is ideal for entertaining. Each bedroom is complete with an en-suite bathroom showcasing luxe marble floors. The Residences are only available for sale and not for rent. “Communities similar to the Ritz-Carlton Residences are the future of the North Shore of Long Island, Babaev continued. “We are seeing an elevated demand from a diverse array of buyers, including those downsizing from larger estates, moving out of New York City to get a taste of suburban living, or those looking for an easy, maintenance-free lifestyle.” In addition to living a simple, maintenance-free lifestyle, residents at North Hills enjoy a community experience, as well, with social events hosted throughout the year, including jazz brunches, evenings by the pool and holiday parties. “The development is centrally located and offers easy access to both New York City and the Hamptons,” Babaev says. “It is also perfectly situated within the heart of the Gold Coast, where residents can enjoy not just amenities and services but the infrastructure and lifestyle that comes with living in the area.”