Chart House Realtors recently assisted our buyer clients in purchasing 15 acres of land on Chappaquiddick, a small island on the eastern end of Martha’s Vineyard.
Our clients initially inquired with us about land for sale on Cuttyhunk, an equally beautiful island off the southeastern coast of Massachusetts. They were looking for a relatively secluded location to unplug and spend time together as a family, playing board games, reading, relaxing, and getting back to the basics of summertime. With high school- and college-age children, our clients were looking for a chance to build multiple dwellings that would allow the family to reconnect often for generations to come. And, with the newfound flexibility of working from home, this year was the perfect time for a change of scenery.
After a few weeks of sailing around Buzzards Bay, our clients fell in love with all that southern New England has to offer; the landscape, the salty air – it was a bit of a change from the Great Lakes they are used to. They loved the idea of being on an island and finding a piece of land in an iconic coastal setting with water views and the feeling of being remote, without being entirely isolated.
Cuttyhunk Island truly embodies that remote nature. On Cuttyhunk, you are certainly disconnected. But without so much as a grocery store, it felt a little too disconnected.
With a strong familiarity of the Vineyard and a thorough understanding of his clients’ needs, Matt suggested that his clients also consider Chappaquiddick Island.
Chappaquiddick is just a three-minute ferry ride from Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard, and the location offers the perfect combination of solace and convenience. Edgartown has everything one could want: shops, restaurants, hotels, and more.
As our team researched land for sale on this quiet island, we encountered Jeremiah Road. The land on Jeremiah Road was originally part of an 80-acre estate dating back to the Rockefeller family. As generations of that family progressed, a few parcels were created and listed for sale, as not everyone was able to take advantage of the land. We took interest in two parcels adjacent to one another with south-facing views, beach access, and the ability to build multiple buildings – exactly what our clients had dreamt of! Each lot allowed for building a main house of up to 6,000 square feet with a detached garage and guest quarters, enabling our clients to build four separate structures for their family.
Of course, there are several challenges that arise in a project of this scope and size. There are several governing bodies on Martha’s Vineyard that are all involved in approving these projects. The Town of Edgartown oversees planning, zoning, land use, conservation, health, and more, and there is also a commission that oversees any Martha’s Vineyard developments. We also had to address any areas of concern with endangered and/or protected species, and along those same lines, our clients wanted to preserve as much of the wooded area as possible.
Once we understood that our clients’ vision was entirely possible, we began assembling a team of professionals to assist in the process. We interviewed architects and engineers, closing attorneys and title researchers, and spent considerable hours ourselves learning various rules and regulations.
We are happy to report that our clients closed on the Jeremiah Road land earlier this month, and are well on their way to the construction phase! Soon enough, they will enjoy walks along the beach, their own mooring on Katama Bay, nearby recreational activities, and all that the island has to offer. These 15 acres proved to be the perfect place for them to build their dream summer dwellings for themselves, their children, and future generations.
The Chart House team is ready and willing to help you navigate complex real estate transactions, even if it’s not right in our backyard! If you are looking to buy or sell a unique property in southern New England, we would love to hear from you.