ABOVE: A Casual Water pool located on the bluffs in Sag Harbor. BELOW: A free-form pool and spa in Montauk, built by Casual Water
Casual Water has been the premier pool design, installation and consulting firm in the Hamptons since Greg Kirwan and Michael Hartman opened the business almost 17 years ago. They stand out by handling all aspects of the industry, from brand-new pool design-and-building projects to repairs and refurbishments. We spoke to Kirwan and his business partner, Peter Persico, and learned more about swimming pools than we thought we would ever need to know.
HAMPTONS: What makes each job unique?
GREG KIRWAN: Since we opened, we’ve built approximately 600 swimming pools. My business partner Mike Hartman and I learned very early on that each pool was special. We also learned to listen carefully to our clients. The recent recognition that Casual Water has received is very satisfying, but the most flattering moments occur when our clients tell us how thrilled they are with their new swimming pool.
H: How can you help homeowners who already have a pool?
PETER PERSICO: We like to focus on efficiency. Being “green” is very important in managing your swimming pool, and we offer many eco-friendly alternatives. Going chlorine- and salt-free has also recently become very popular among homeowners.
H: If you could create your dream pool, what would it be like?
GK: It would incorporate many of the features we’ve built in 2010: vanishing edges, waterfalls, free-form designs and automatic covers. I’ve traveled the world and seen the most magnificent pools, and I’m proud to say that we built some of them. So the best way to describe my dream pool is to view the Casual Water photo gallery.
112 Maple Lane, Bridgehampton, 631-537-5700; casualwater.com
