A grand Martha’s Vineyard estate that once belonged to legendary Washington Post publisher, Katharine Graham, subject of the Academy Award-nominated film, The Post, is on the market for $39.5 million. The property is unique as large acreage, multiple residence kingdom estates are becoming few and far between, especially in a desirable location such as Martha’s Vineyard.
The property was more recently owned by the late William W. Graham, a lawyer, philanthropist and son of Katharine Graham. According to local lore, Katharine Graham purchased the property, in 1972 at the urging of Henry Beetle Hough, the author who edited and published Edgartown’s Vineyard Gazette, as a strategy to keep the property out of the hands of developers.
William “Bill” had a strong love for the land and invested in the preservation of the property. The offering does not include the site upon which Mrs. Graham’s residence (called Mohu) resided.
The approximate 186-acre estate offers commanding views of what is arguably the most beautiful stretch of beachfront on all of Martha’s Vineyard.
The property includes four residences totaling 9,035 square feet of living space with 30 rooms, 12 bedrooms, 10 full baths and 2 half baths. There is a main house, guest house, caretaker’s house, substantial barn, and miles of well-maintained trails. The property is graced with verdant meadows of wildflowers, meandering paths, new growth forests, restored stone walls and bridges crossing the brook which runs through it.
Located in Lambert’s Cove, it overlooks James Pond, Buzzards Bay, the Elizabeth Islands and offers dramatic views of Vineyard Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.
Watch the sailboats pass from the broad deck of the five-bedroom, 5,234 square foot main residence complete with a three-car garage with an apartment above and water views. There is also a two-story caretaker’s home and barn, and an irreplaceable one-bedroom private beach house on Lambert’s Cove Beach. The property also includes a separate three-bedroom, 1,056± guest house.
“We have handled many of the finest properties on Martha’s Vineyard over the last 25 years,” says Thomas E. LeClair, partner at LandVest Martha’s Vineyard who is representing the property with partner Gerret C. Conover. “The Graham property, however, has so many value attributes, from being one of the islands largest privately held estates to its stunning natural beauty and white sandy beach. It is clearly one of Martha’s Vineyards most special and historically important properties.”
The property has significant development potential but no development plans have been submitted for approvals. The property also has significant conservation potential and value for the next owner.
Christie’s International Real Estate, the leading luxury real estate network, along with LandVest, its exclusive Affiliate on Martha’s Vineyard, is offering this landmark property for US$39.5 million.
The proceeds of the sale will benefit a handful of charities, all of which have asked not to be named.
