Digital rendering of a peaceful outdoor scene with a pathway winding through green trees and grass, with a blue sky and sunlight filtering through the foliage.

A peaceful park scene with a curved stone pathway surrounded by trees and tall grass, with a wooden fence and clear sky in the background.

Site plan illustration of a landscaped development with pathways, trees, a swimming pool, and various structures, surrounded by roads and natural areas.

Site plan for a landscaped property featuring a central pond, pathways, trees, and surrounding buildings near Atlantic Ocean and DeForest Road.

Originally built in the 1950s, the East Deck Motel has long been celebrated as an iconic surfer’s retreat in Ditch Plains, Montauk, NY. This 4.14-acre oceanfront property is framed by the Atlantic Ocean to the south, a beach parking lot to the east, public beach access to the west, and Deforest Road to the north, with residential lots beyond.

LaGuardia Design Group’s landscape approach emphasizes native vegetation to integrate the property seamlessly into its coastal context. Plantings of Beach Plum, Switchgrass, Bayberry, and Japanese Honeysuckle stabilize the dunes and thrive in harsh oceanfront conditions. Tree-form Bayberry, Eastern Red Cedar, and Switchgrass along Deforest Road provide a soft buffer to the street and reduce noise, while Shadblow and Cherry trees create shaded areas for picnicking on the ocean side.

The design also incorporates dune restoration and a bio-swale rain garden to manage stormwater runoff. The southern open space serves as a multi-use area for beach volleyball, sunbathing, or events, while a proposed sedum green roof integrates greenery into the architecture, providing insulation and enhancing the property’s connection to the landscape.

PROJECT TEAM | Robert Young Architecture - Robert Stilin Interior Design