Montauk - For loyalists returning to Montauk season after season, driving the Old Highway on their way to the beach, the Panoramic View was long a landmark as the expanse of the Atlantic Ocean unfolded before you as you winded your way among the pitch pines and undulating dunes that punctuated your annual pilgrimage Out East. Operated by the French family for over 50 years, families and beach lovers returned year after year to reclaim their little slice of paradise for a few days or vacation week at best.

Distinctive Ventures offers both residential and resort rental accommodations with spectacular "panoramic views" of the ocean in Montauk, hence the name Panoramic View.

Times change and most often fond landmarks are the casualties of progress – not so in the case of the Panoramic Villas which has been thoughtfully renovated and re-imagined to luxury standards of our times. In that transformation, Distinctive Ventures purchased the property in 2007, and has completed 20 private villas, ranging from 1,500 to 3,800 square-feet, for the world-weary flush enough to secure a wedge of heaven at the foot of the Atlantic Ocean. These "condops" manage to meld modern amenities and high style convenience with a casual, flip-flop romance for the sun, sand dunes and the timeless rhythms of living by the sea.

All this comes at a price, don't fool yourselves, but at today's values, $1.5 million and upwards of $5 million (one bedroom to a five bedroom unit) for 1,000 feet of ocean frontage with private beach access and terraced lawns with nary a care as to maintenance, will sound like the perfect recipe for many. For those who lament the passing of a truly democratic beachside hotel that welcomed hundreds of visitors each summer, think again of the environmental sensitivity of these 10 acres and count the daily traffic that traversed these oceanfront dunes for the better part of 50 years and consider this lighter footprint.

Poolside oceanside at the Panoramic View Resort.

"We have a business model that works," Sales Director Ed Bruehl said from his oceanfront vantage point in Montauk. "We are growing our business in a down economy." The Great Neck-based company operates three resort properties in total on the South Fork, including the Baypointe Yacht Club in Westhampton, (which they own), and the Sea Crest in Amagansett, (which they manage) offering both rental and sale properties. Distinctive Ventures is headed up by Adam Manson. "Adam is not afraid of this market," Bruehl commented. "He's courageous."

The master bedroom: Furnishings at the units have been thoughtfully hand-picked to offer luxury comforts.

There are 50 rental units on site including oceanfront cottages ranging in price from $295 to $795 a night at the year-round resort. The rental units out in Montauk were filled to 99 percent capacity over the Memorial Day Weekend.

In addition to the rentals, 20 new luxury units were created for sale, complete with fully-outfitted kitchens with custom-built granite countertops, farmers sinks, Sub-zero refrigerators and Viking ranges. You will also find a large capacity washer and dryer. Property amenities include beach and pool chair services, a heated pool with privacy cabanas, state-of-the-art fitness center, concierge services, bell staff and housekeeping.

Sales are progressing nicely according to Bruehl who has made five deals so far. The two-story units range in size from two to five bedrooms and feature all amenities. One bedroom units starting at $1.5 million will be available in 2010. In the meantime, a 2,000 square-foot duplex with a bird's eye view of the ocean will set you back $2.8 million. The three bedroom 2,500 square-foot units are priced at $3.2 million, and the four bedroom 3,500 square-foot unit is priced at $5 million. The sole five bedroom, 4,300 square-foot unit is priced at $6.2 million. The maintenance fee of $14,000 a year, which includes maintenance, insurance and taxes, affords the freedom of co-op ownership without any pesky review boards.

A top-shelf well-equipped kitchen awaits the world-weary looking to stow away at the ocean's edge.

"I like to think of the place as a doorman building on the ocean," Bruehl said, referring to the 24/7 on site concierge service. "One buyer moved out of an oceanfront estate in Montauk where they had to worry about the pool guy and the caretaker and came over here. It was a horizontal trade. Another buyer moved out of a big house in East Hampton. The third sale was made to a buyer from "up-Island' who loved coming out to Montauk," Bruehl noted.

The marble bath offers the height of pampering and 24-hour housekeeping makes for care-free restoration and retreat.

The Panoramic is appealing to well-to-do buyers old enough to appreciate the peace and quiet and young enough to take advantage of the pool, tennis courts and state-of-the-art gym. "It's a wealthy customer that wants service," Bruehl said. "There is nothing else like this in the Hamptons. We do it all for you, including furnishing the units if a buyer wants us to."

For the vacation-minded more conscious of their pocketbooks, units at Sea Crest on the dunes in Amagansett start at $425,000 for two bedroom units and top out at $595,000. "They are great deals," Bruehl said. "I have owners who want to sell now with units priced at $275,000, $450,000 and $595,000."

So, when you make your pilgrimage to Montauk and as you wind that slow curve that gives you the first glimpse of the ocean at the Panoramic, stop in and take a gander at Montauk resort living in modern times.

Sun, sea, sand and solace are yours for the taking.