Historic Sag Harbor Residence — Technology Restoration & Smart Home Modernization

Project Overview

Originally constructed in 1760 for Revolutionary War veteran Captain John Hulbert, this approximately 6,000-square-foot residence is one of Sag Harbor's most significant historic homes. While the property had undergone extensive architectural restoration, its technology infrastructure had become increasingly difficult to maintain. The home relied on an aging Control4 system, outdated and locked network equipment, fragmented automation, and legacy hardware that no longer provided the reliability expected in a modern luxury residence.

HarborHaus was engaged to modernize the property's technology backbone while preserving the character and craftsmanship of one of Sag Harbor's most storied homes.

What We Did

* Removed and replaced aging, locked-down networking equipment that could no longer be properly maintained or updated.
* Migrated the property to Optimum Fiber, providing significantly increased internet performance and reliability.
* Installed a modern UniFi network infrastructure consisting of a UniFi gateway, managed switching, and enterprise-grade Wi-Fi access points throughout the property.
* Rebuilt and optimized the home's wired and wireless network architecture to support streaming, remote access, security, and home automation.
* Transitioned the property away from dependence on the aging Control4 platform.
* Implemented Home Assistant as the home's central automation platform, providing a flexible and future-proof alternative to proprietary systems.
* Integrated Lutron lighting controls into Home Assistant, allowing centralized control and automation throughout the residence.
* Installed and configured an 11-zone Sonos audio system, providing synchronized music throughout the home and outdoor living spaces.
* Created custom Home Assistant dashboards accessible from phones, tablets, and web browsers.
* Integrated lighting, climate controls, security systems, occupancy awareness, and whole-home audio into a single user interface.
* Configured presence-based automations using homeowner geolocation to automatically adjust lighting, climate, and home status based on arrival and departure.
* Implemented remote monitoring and management capabilities, allowing homeowners to view and control critical home functions from anywhere.
* Organized, documented, and optimized the installation to support long-term reliability and future expansion.

Home Assistant Features

* Centralized control of lighting, climate, audio, and security systems.
* Real-time status dashboards accessible from any device.
* Geolocation-based automations that react to homeowner presence.
* Whole-home Sonos audio control and zone management.
* Unified monitoring of network and smart-home devices.
* Remote access to key home functions from anywhere in the world.
* Expandable architecture that allows future integrations without replacing the underlying platform.

Outcome

* Enterprise-grade Wi-Fi and networking throughout the historic residence.
* Significantly faster internet service through Optimum Fiber.
* Whole-home audio across 11 independent Sonos zones.
* Centralized management of lighting, climate, audio, and security.
* Improved reliability, remote access, and day-to-day usability.
* Elimination of aging proprietary systems and vendor lock-in.
* A technology platform that can evolve with the homeowners' needs for years to come.

Result

A 265-year-old Sag Harbor landmark now benefits from a modern, open, and fully manageable technology platform. By combining UniFi networking, Lutron lighting, Sonos audio, Home Assistant automation, and fiber internet connectivity, HarborHaus delivered a solution that is more reliable, easier to maintain, and ready for future expansion while respecting the home's historic character.