REAL ESTATE

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When forward-looking, stylish innovators like HC&G and PBC&G contributing editor Beth Rudin DeWoody and Architectural Digest editor Paige Rense established residences in West Palm Beach, those who formerly wouldn't cross the Intracoastal bridge for social events suddenly began accepting invitations from boldface names who now reside there. A similar situation currently exists in the Hamptons with notables like Bill and Phyllis Mack or Joe and Ellen Wright attracting the social elite to north-of-the-highway events at their homes. Will the Christie Brinkley/Peter Cook scandal hurt the sale of their huge NOH home? Probably not. In fact, it's further evidence of celebrities living large in the north.

Group Houses—or What?
Tell the neighbors that houses being rented to New York City nightclub owners and marketers anxious to promote products such as fashion, cars, liquor, spa products and celebrity clientele aren't, in reality, a new version of the "Group Houses" concept. With models lounging poolside and posing with tiger cubs along with music, dancing and sexy masseuses plying their trade, indoors and out, many nearby homeowners allege that the Hamptons is becoming more like ancient Rome or Pompeii.

Angry neighbors want to know why, since Group Houses are illegal, business interests are able to make nuisances of themselves at rowdy parties with total impunity. "We voted to make group houses illegal to cut down on noise and parking problems," one angry resident told HC&G.

Angry Neighbors
"The kids who used group houses for parties had no political clout," the resident continued.