The Piano Man’s Long Island Estate Returns – Inside Billy Joel’s $50 Million Waterfront Dream

Almost a year and a half after it first hit the market for $49 million and following an extensive multimillion-dollar renovation, Billy Joel’s longtime residence in Centre Island, New York, is back on the market with a slightly increased asking price of just under $50 million. The 26-acre waterfront property, listed by Nancy Cuite and Lisa Lavelle of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Laffey International Realty, was acquired by the Grammy-winning artist in 2002 and named MiddleSea, reflecting its location and a nod to the musical note middle C.

The beach house kitchen.

A two-lane bowling alley in the guesthouse.

The gatehouse kitchen.

A patio outside the gatehouse.

The gatehouse pool.

The guesthouse.

The guesthouse living room.

A fountain spills into a channel of water that steps down the manicured hillside behind the main residence.

A caterer’s kitchen.

The dining room.

A formal garden.

The entry foyer.

The main home, known as MiddleSea.

The primary kitchen.

The maintenance building.

An aerial view of the property, which has its own helipad.

The beach house rests along 2,000 feet of sandy shoreline.

Situated on a peninsula between Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor, the estate features a 20,000-square-foot main house, alongside several other buildings, all with access to 2,000 feet of private shoreline, including a dock and boat ramp. Built in the early 1990s, the red-brick main residence boasts five en-suite bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, showcasing hardwood and marble floors, 30-foot ceilings, an elevator, and nautical-themed decor. Highlights include a grand foyer with a black-and-white checkerboard marble floor, elegant living and dining rooms, two kitchens, and a luxurious primary suite with dual closets and bathrooms. Additional spaces include a mahogany library with a stone fireplace, a bay-view parlor, a ballroom, a spa, and a wine cellar.

The beach house living room.

The expansive grounds feature rolling lawns, gardens, and pathways, along with a waterfall, two swimming pools, a gazebo, and a dining area under a pergola. Secondary buildings consist of a five-bedroom gatehouse, a Malibu-style beach house with three bedrooms, and a guesthouse equipped with a two-lane bowling alley and a four-car garage. A new maintenance building and an on-site helipad facilitate quick access to Manhattan or the Hamptons. According to The New York Times, a significant factor in Joel’s decision to sell the mansion, which he first visited while dredging oysters as a teenager, is the hefty annual tax bill of $567,686. “It’s not cheap, let’s put it that way,” he remarked. Besides his Centre Island home, the 75-year-old New York native also owns properties in Sag Harbor and Florida.

The beach house pool.