Spectacular views of Edgartown Harbor form an ever-changing panorama in John and Carolyn Connors’ home on Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., and the traditional exterior blends with the neighboring early 19th-century whaling captains’ homes.
To take maximum advantage of the view, the couple removed a harbor-facing wall, converted the former waterfront deck to a living room with three window walls and built new decks on the main and upper levels.
“We wanted a light, bright, airy interior [with decorating] that reflects the environment and the town’s maritime past and present,” says Connors, 76, who retired from the publishing business in 1995.
Because the Connors own and live in a home nearby that can accommodate occasional visits from their five children, grandchildren and friends, they put their .37-acre North Water Street property, which has a fully furnished three-bedroom, three-bath house, water frontage on Edgartown Harbor’s entrance, a private sandy beach and private pier with multiple slips and 8-foot water depths, on the market for $10.9 million. The house generates more than $200,000 in annual rental income.
The white clapboard house, with a full-length columned porch, is reminiscent of a Charleston, S.C., single sideyard house. The interior off-white walls, white woodwork, paneled doors and many small-paned windows, including floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the water, fill the house with light and air. Wide board maple flooring and beadboard accents create a casual, yet elegant ambience.
In the dining room, opposite the front door, the entertainment center is built into one side of the chimney. On the other side of the gas-log fireplace is a wet bar with glass-fronted cabinets and a wine cooler. A pocket door opens to the adjacent compact kitchen, which is equipped with identical cabinets, granite countertops, a ceramic tile backsplash and state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances.
The central dining table is convenient to the living room, separated only by a short stairway and a low bookcase wall that does not obstruct the light or water views through the living room’s three window walls. Just outside, the first-floor deck offers water views, with Edgartown Lighthouse front and center.
The first-floor master bedroom and en suite tiled bath are streetside, away from the entertaining areas. A wall of built-in bookshelves, closets and drawers provides ample storage. Upstairs the streetside guest bedroom, furnished with bunks and a twin bed, has a vaulted ceiling and a private bath.
The second-floor hall and a small laundry room provide privacy for the master bedroom, which has a beamed vaulted ceiling. A wall of built-in closets and drawers adjoins the tiled private bath. Located on the eastern end of the house, the master bedroom and its private deck have panoramic water views.
The walk-out concrete full basement opens to a brick waterfront patio beneath the first-floor deck. The year-round home has central air conditioning, gas-fired forced hot air heat, public water and sewer. Annual taxes are about $26,000.
The lawn and gardens slope down to their private sandy beach and 150-foot wooden L-shaped pier equipped with water and power. The pier and two floats can accommodate as many as 10 boats, including a 60-footer on the face, where mean low water depths are 8 feet.
Wendy Harman (cellphone, (508) 274-5363) of Point B Realty, Edgartown, Mass. (www.pointbrealty.com), (508) 627-4567, lists the property.
November 2012 issue
