Former President Barack Obama and his family have completed the purchase of a $11.75 million waterfront house situated on nearly 30 acres on Martha’s Vineyard – an affluent island located south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. And it is stunning. The expansive 6,892-square-foot house sits on nearly 30 secluded acres fronting the Edgartown Great Pond between Slough Cove and Turkeyland Cove, with views of the Atlantic ocean. Designed by Taylor Lombardo Architects in San Francisco, the home was built in 2001 by John Early, a well-known and hugely trusted Island contractor. And it’s in a spot the Obamas love – it’s no secret that they have enjoyed spending down time at Martha’s Vineyard whenever they can. In fact, Martha’s Vineyard has been an annual holiday spot for the Obama family since their time in the White House, and now they’re putting down roots in the gorgeous villa that they rented over the summer. The home features seven bedrooms, eight and a half baths and several stone fireplaces. There is a two-car garage, a detached barn and a pool. The property also offers direct access to the pond, and includes a boat house and a private beach front with deeded rights, as per the listing on LandVest. Take a tour below – and when you’re done, hop on over to our page dedicated to the world’s best homes for more.
Joe Biden’s houses – see the impressive property portfolio of the 46th President of the United States
Tour the Obama house now – wander around the palatial home
From above, you can see how secluded and private the Obamas’ new home is – with prime frontage to beaches and wooded areas. Rumors of the impending sale have been circulating since late summer 2019, when the Obamas rented the property for several weeks. The family are often seen on the Vineyard during summer vacation. The area has been popular with vacationing celebrities and politicians for many decades – Presidents Clinton and Kennedy both spent the holidays here with their families. However, this is the first time a former President has bought a home on the island.
See: Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen’s house – see inside the Superbowl champion’s former mansion in Massachusetts
Read Barack Obama’s latest autobiography…
The pool area is simply beautiful, surrounded by trees and foliage – for a really private space to unwind. The former president and his family spent part of every August on the Island for seven out of the eight years he was in office. The family also visited the Island before, including when he was a senator from Illinois. The Obama house is designed with entertaining in mind – there’s an expansive kitchen and a dining room with wonderful views across the bay. The family room below has plenty of space for relaxing, too. Architectural details, such as those on the ceiling of this room give the house plenty of character. There is a stunning galleried living space with windows on three sides in the new Obama house, too. The property has been on the market since 2015, when it was listed for $22.5 million. The price was dropped twice this summer, first to $16.25 million in June, then to $14.85 million in July. The purchase price, with the Dukes County Registry of Deeds, is listed at $11.75 million. See more: This tiny New York apartment was Barack Obama’s student house – take the tour The bedrooms also have wonderful views across the bay. In her memoir, Michelle Obama chronicles her life, from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. She describes her triumphs and her disappointments, in a way that’s warm, wise and revelatory. Although the Vineyard has long been a vacation spot for visiting presidents, including former President Clinton and his family, this marks the first time that a former president has bought property on the Island. Lots of rooms for friends and family to stay with bedrooms furnished with bunk beds. The raised sundeck is yet another space for the Obamas to unwind, again with wonderful views across the bay. According to the Vinyard Gazettte: ‘The property sale will send $235,000 to the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank, which collects a two per cent transfer fee on most arm’s length real estate transactions. ‘Money from the fees is used to buy conservation land and protect natural resources such as aquifers, scenic views and farmland on the Vineyard.’ The property was listed with property agents LandVest (opens in new tab). Designed by Taylor Lombardo Architects (opens in new tab).
What is Martha’s Vineyard known for?
Martha’s Vineyard is an island south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, USA, and is famous as a summer vacation destination for Americans – and vacationers from other countries. A photo posted by on
What celebrities live on Martha’s Vineyard?
Other than the Obama house, Martha’s Vineyard has a scattering of homes that belong to – or have been rented by – the rich and famous, both past and present. They include the Jackie Kennedy Onassis house (see her former home in our dedicated feature), Oprah Winfrey (you can take a tour of her Montecito home by clicking the link), Larry David and Bill Gates.
