Catering, Conference Hall Planned For Centerport

A rendering shows Hauppauge-based developer The Crest Group’s plans to construct a new luxury catering hall and conference center at the site of the former Thatched Cottage in Centerport. (Rendering courtesy of Christina Whitehurst)

By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com

What was the once Thatched Cottage in Centerport will soon become a new luxury catering hall and conference center, owners of the property have confirmed.

The facility to be, Water’s Edge, could signal a renaissance for the waterfront property that was once a popular spot for catered events, but fell into disrepair after its closure in 2014.

Hauppauge-based developer The Crest Group purchased the 445 East Main St. property in 2016. Plans call for the new venue to be up and running by early 2019, said Christina Whitehurst, director of sales and marketing for Water’s Edge.

Crest Group’s $2.8 million purchase came after former Thatched Cottage owner Ralph Colamussi filed for bankruptcy in January 2014.

Water’s Edge will be part of the “Danfords Collection” that also includes the Danfords Hotel and Marina in Port Jefferson, which is also owned by The Crest Group.

Whitehurst said the Water’s Edge will feature a “Gatsby-inspired design with an updated, modernized Art Deco.”

“It will be modern, but it will also have some pieces that speak to the past to make sure that we pull in the fact that we are a Gold Cost property,” Whitehurst said. “It is definitely going to be a high-end, luxury design.”

Whitehurst said that the plan is to keep the Thatched Cottage building, but completely renovate both its interior and exterior.

In addition to changing the design of the building, Whitehurst said the catering hall would include higher ceilings in the main ballroom to accommodate larger events.

“The larger facility can hold a seated banquet of about 300 if not more, but if it’s not a seated event you could hold up to 400 or 500 people,” Whitehurst said. She added that developers are looking forward to working with local community organizations to plan and host their events.

For more information, call 631-651-9444 or visit Watersedgecenterport.com.