Villa Rentals: United Estate
Time and Place Homes’ new Nantucket property is perfect for bringing families together.
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Sharephotos by: Rand Larson/Morningstar Productions
June 1, 2008
Thomas Mayhew—who in 1642 established the first settlement on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts—held for a time the rights to the island of Nantucket, which he sold to a group of nine men for the price of £30 and two beaver-pelt hats. "One for myself," it states in the deed dated July 2, 1659, "and one for my wife."Although Nantucket has matured beyond its early days as a whaling port, the low-key town still maintains a tranquil atmosphere, often appealing to Northeasterners who wish to avoid the chaos of the Hamptons. "It’s unlike any place I’ve been," says Mitch Willey, founder and president of Time and Place Homes, a Washington, D.C.–based villa rental company with residences in such diverse locations as Paris; Palm Springs, California; and Beaver Creek, Colorado. With its cobblestone streets and absence of stoplights, the 50-square-mile island has a historic feel, says 58-year-old Willey, who has been vacationing in Nantucket with his family for 17 years.
Time and Place’s portfolio currently includes nine locations and 67 homes, 10 of which are on Nantucket. The seven-year-old company’s newest property on the island is the 6,500-square-foot Cliff Road Estate, located adjacent to Coffin Park. The shingle-style house, which Time and Place purchased and began renovating in 2005, was completed and made available for rent this past spring. The home comprises a main house and two guest wings—for a total of five bedrooms and two sleeping lofts, six full and two half bathrooms, four laundry areas, and three kitchens. Willey estimates the property can comfortably accommodate 14 people.
The home’s provincial interiors feature antique furnishings and accessories purchased by Willey throughout his travels, such as a collection of 17th-century handpainted fish prints that hang in the art gallery. The home also includes such modern comforts as plasma televisions and a multispray shower in the master bathroom.
However, many guests find that the home’s greatest attribute is what lies outside: a rooftop widow’s walk. Accessed through the third-floor loft, the walk affords views of the harbor and Nantucket Sound, making it the ideal spot to enjoy the region’s Fourth of July fireworks display.
"It’s a great house for multiple generations," says Willey, noting that the estate has been used on several occasions for family reunions, anniversaries, and milestone birthday celebrations. Although the layout can accommodate multiple families, with sleeping areas that are quite separate, Time and Place only rents the house to single groups. "The communal areas give it a unified feel, but there’s also enough room for people to have their own space," explains Willey.
Outside the home, a mahogany deck and a raised terrace overlook the lap pool and the eight-person spa, which has two cascading waterfalls.
"There also are several beaches within walking distance of the estate," says Willey. "The weather in the summer is always superb, so we were cautious to create a home that embraced the outdoors." The property is a two-minute walk to the downtown area—or Nantucket Town as it is commonly known—making a variety of dining and entertainment options easily accessible. "And they are not all just fish shacks," jokes Willey. However, the seasoned patron also notes that name-brand chain stores and restaurants are a rarity, resulting in Nantucket’s quaint feel.
Rental rates for the Cliff Road Estate start at $18,500 per week from October through May, and range from $22,500 to $35,000 per week from June through September, during which time a minimum stay of one week is required. For those who wish to stay longer, Time and Place is planning to sell one-tenth fractional shares of the home, for $900,000, granting owners five weeks of annual use.
Included in the cost of the rental are the services of Time and
Place’s local concierge. "The concierge can help with anything from making
hard-to-get dinner reservations to arranging bicycle rentals and setting up
last-minute tennis lessons for the kids," says Willey. Or, if guests are
interested in toting a bit of the island’s history, perhaps even a pair of
beaver-pelt hats.
Time and Place Homes, 866.244.1800, www.timeandplace.com
