Singer Rufus Wainwright is listing his two-bedroom Leisurama cottage in Montauk for $20,000 per month this summer. The property sits near Hither Hills Ocean Beach, one of the Hamptons' most coveted coastal locations.
The rental price reflects the aggressive summer market in Montauk, where beachfront and near-beachfront properties command premium rates. At $20,000 monthly, the listing targets affluent renters seeking seasonal coastal escapes rather than permanent residents. A two-bedroom cottage at this price point signals strong demand for limited inventory in East End neighborhoods, particularly among buyers and renters priced out of traditional East Hampton or Southampton markets.
Montauk has shifted dramatically over the past decade. What once functioned as a working fishing village now attracts Manhattan's creative class and wealthy second-home owners. Vintage properties like Leisuramas, the prefabricated homes built in the 1960s and 1970s, have become sought-after commodities. These modest structures now rent for thousands monthly because of their proximity to ocean access and relative authenticity compared to new construction.
For seasonal renters, $20,000 monthly breaks down to roughly $650 per day for two bedrooms, competitive with boutique Montauk hotels but offering residential privacy. Renters get direct beach access via Hither Hills State Park, a major draw.
For Wainwright, the rental choice makes financial sense. Rather than leaving the property vacant during New York's winter months, short-term summer rentals generate substantial income. Many Hamptons homeowners pursue this strategy, treating seasonal properties as revenue sources rather than pure personal retreats.
The listing signals confidence in Montauk's rental market heading into peak summer demand. Properties near state beaches consistently attract renters willing to pay premium rates for direct