What do you get when one of the world’s most famous families buys a house in one of the nation's most sought-after locations? Enter – the Obama house, located in Martha's Vineyard, which stands out as one of the most impressive properties we’ve ever seen.
Michelle and the former president, Barack Obama, purchased an ocean-front compound in 2020 for $11.75 million – and have since enjoyed the property and its proximity to the iconic Massachusetts coastline. Categorizable as one of the world's best homes, the 28-acre compound is a trove of pared-back coastal decor inspiration and comes complete with a detached barn and a large swimming pool.
The 6,892-square-foot house sits on nearly 30 secluded acres fronting the Edgartown Great Pond between Slough Cove and Turkeyland Cove, both frequented by politicians and celebrities alike (meaning the Obamas are in good company).
Designed by Taylor Lombardo Architects in San Francisco, the home was built in 2001 by John Early, a well-known contractor local to the island. It's now a spot the Obamas love – and it's no secret that they enjoy spending downtime at Martha's Vineyard whenever they can.
Martha's Vineyard has famously been an annual holiday spot for the Obama family since their time in the White House. However, they started frequenting the office more regularly when Obama left office in January 2017.
Their home features seven bedrooms, eight and a half baths, and several stone fireplaces. There is a two-car garage, a detached barn, and a large pool. The land similarly includes a boat house, a pond a and a private beachfront with deeded rights, as per the former listing on LandVest.
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.
Obama and his family spent part of every August on the island for seven out of the eight years he was in office. They also visited the Island before, including when he was a senator from Illinois.
Inside, the home was designed with entertaining in mind. There's an expansive kitchen and a dining room with beautiful views across the bay. Similarly, the family room has plenty of space for relaxing. Architectural details, such as those on the ceiling of this room, give the house a sense of rustic charm and intricate character.
The stunning galleried living space is a masterclass in decorating with neutrals – from its white-pained walls and ceilings to the cream soft furnishings that ensure the space feels open and airy when drenched in natural sunlight.
As mentioned, there are eight bedrooms, including a neutral-hued primary suite with ocean views. There are also lots of rooms for friends and family to stay with bedrooms furnished with beds and adjoining bathrooms.
Outside, the raised sundeck is yet another space for the Obamas to rejuvinate, again with wonderful views across the bay.
When the Obama family purchased the home, it had been on the market since 2015, when it was listed for $22.5 million. The price dropped twice in the summer of 2020, first to $16.25 million in June, then to $14.85 million.
The purchase price, with the Dukes County Registry of Deeds, is listed at $11.75 million.
According to the Vinyard Gazette, the property sale was expected to send '$235,000 to the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank, which collects a two percent 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.'
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.
What celebrities live on Martha's Vineyard?
Other than the Obama house, Martha's Vineyard has a scattering of estates that belong to – or have been rented by – the rich and famous, both past and present. They include Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Jeffrey Kramer, Spike Lee and Oprah Winfrey.
Shop our costal picks
While we can't all own a home on Martha's Vineyard, we can tap into its unmistakable aesthetic with some coastal decor furnishings. Our current top picks will bring New England charm to homes far beyond the beautiful East Coast.
Beautiful, subtle details give this Pinstripe Bolster Pillow a distinctive look. We love the block-printed navy and white striped design, a simple, refined way to add volume to your vignettes.
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