On Nantucket, where old-world charm and serious real estate money have long shared the same narrow lanes, a brand-new mansion is making an unusually bold entrance. Built after its owners acquired the property for $13.95 million in 2024, the sprawling Cliff Road residence has now arrived on the market for $45 million, a price that could rewrite Massachusetts’ residential sales record, states the latest report by Mansion Global.
A new take on Nantucket classic
According to Mansion Global, set on 0.62 acres in the highly coveted Cliff neighbourhood, the newly completed home stretches across 13,500 square feet and three levels. Its design leans firmly into Nantucket’s architectural vocabulary, with an unpainted cedar-shingle exterior, pitched roofs and dormer windows giving it the appearance of a grand New England summer house rather than a contemporary showpiece.Twin barn-style rooflines frame the main entrance, while matching double-gambrel volumes appear at both the front and rear of the residence. The scale is substantial, but the architecture remains rooted in the island’s traditional aesthetic. Nine bedrooms provide ample accommodation, while a roof walk offers elevated views across Nantucket Sound, one of the property’s most striking features, adds the latest online report.
A house built around privacy
The property’s appeal extends well beyond the main residence. A pool and motor court add to its resort-like character, while a detached garage includes both a studio and a guest apartment. Perhaps the most unusual feature is hidden underground. The guest accommodation is connected to the main house by a private tunnel, adding a discreet layer of convenience and privacy to the estate, adds the report as well.
From $13.95 million to $45 million
If we go by the Mansion Global report, the sellers acquired the property through an LLC in 2024 from the estate of the late retail executive Roger Horchow. The original plan was reportedly to make the newly built home their own, but their plans changed after they developed a preference for another part of the island, where they had purchased an interim residence.The $45 million asking price would represent more than three times the property’s acquisition cost, although the figure reflects not just the land but the substantial construction and design investment that followed, explains the report.
A potential Massachusetts record
Media reports also claim that if the home sells close to its asking price, it could become the most expensive residential property ever sold in Massachusetts. The current benchmark stands at $43 million, set by the sale of a 31.5-acre estate on Martha’s Vineyard in September. Before that, a $42 million Nantucket waterfront purchase in 2023 had established another landmark for the state’s luxury property market.The new Cliff Road listing does not have a waterfront setting, but its location remains a major selling point. The Cliff is among Nantucket’s most sought-after neighbourhoods, combining proximity to the island’s attractions with the privacy and prestige that define its prime real estate. For a home that did not exist two years ago, its journey from a $13.95 million acquisition to a potential $45 million record is already a remarkable piece of Nantucket real estate history.Image Courtesy: Shane Riley/Great Point Properties