National Award Recognizes Innovative Landscape Design Approach

Set along the pristine shores of Pipes Cove in Long Island’s Peconic Bay, Silver Sands Motel and Beach Bungalow is a historic midcentury motel that has long been a destination for travelers seeking the quintessential Americana getaway. First opening its doors in 1957, the recently revitalized property and beach bungalows now set a new benchmark for sustainable hospitality, with a landscape design that is both ecologically restorative and guest-centric.

Bordered by 1,400 feet of beachfront, an 18-acre salt marsh, and a 15-acre underwater oyster farm, Silver Sands sits within one of the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world, recognized by The Nature Conservancy. Every element of the redesigned landscape was guided by ecological responsibility—restoring native coastal habitats, mitigating erosion, and fostering resilience against climate change.

Hollander Design’s role in the renovation was to reimagine the site’s landscape as an extension of its coastal setting—honoring the region’s natural heritage while reinforcing the hospitality group’s commitment to biophilic and context-driven design. Through a meticulously crafted approach, the new landscape enhances biodiversity, stabilizes the shoreline, and creates an experiential connection between guests and nature.

Project Team

Silver Sands Motel and Beach Bungalow

Architecture Firm: Leroy Street Studio, New York

Interior Design Firm: Highland Peak Group LLC

Landscape Architecture Firm: Hollander Design Landscape Architects

Landscape Lighting: Luminism Design

Owner: Alexander Perros

Operator: Happiness Forgets Hospitality