The approximately 30-acre property known as Blue Heron Farm is currently owned by the family of renowned British architect Norman Foster, who purchased it through a limited company for US$22.4 million in 2011.
Foster, founder and chairman of Foster + Partners, is known for designing iconic structures like London’s Gherkin and Wembley Stadium.
Located in Chilmark, Massachusetts, the estate features a classic white clapboard main house spanning roughly 7,000 square feet with a distinctive wraparound porch.
The property also includes a guesthouse designed in traditional New England Cape-style with cedar shingle siding.
The Obamas rented the property for three summers beginning in 2009, when it was owned by Mollie and William Van Devender from Mississippi.
The estate offers extensive amenities including a tennis court, basketball court, and equestrian facilities with riding rings and paddocks.
A horse barn transplanted from Pennsylvania in the early 1990s adds to the property’s charm and functionality.
The family has made significant improvements to the estate during their ownership, including renovating the main house, extensive tree planting, and adding a new pool and pool house.
Water features are another highlight of the property, which includes a boathouse with a dock and private beach access.
The main three-bedroom home contains elements dating back to the 1800s, while the five-bedroom guesthouse provides ample space for guests.
The listing is being handled by Maggie Gold Seelig of MGS Group Real Estate and Brian Dougherty of Corcoran Property Advisors.
Despite a general slowdown in Martha’s Vineyard’s luxury market since the pandemic, properties with notable pedigrees continue to attract buyers.
The median sale price for homes on Martha’s Vineyard was US$1.1 million in April, representing a 32.2 per cent decrease compared to the previous year.
