After Years of Renting, the Obamas May Buy This $15M Martha’s Vineyard Estate

The Obamas spent this summer renting Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck’s Martha's Vineyard home—and now they’ve shown interest in buying, according to multiple reports. Grousbeck is asking upwards of $15 million for the 6,900-square-foot estate and its 29 acres, which have been on the market since August 2015.

The home was built in 2001 in Edgartown Great Pond, and it’s tucked into the region’s unlimited splendor, making for an idyllic vacation home for the family. The seven-bed, eight-and-a-half bath home features a living room with vaulted ceilings, large fireplaces, expansive common areas, and a sunroom. Oversized windows let in an abundance of light and overlook a sprawling lawn that guides the eye out to the waterfront. Outdoor spaces like stone patios, a pool, and sun decks make the most of warm summer weather.  

The news initially surfaced on TMZ this past Thursday. "The ex-Prez is now ready to lay out tens of millions on a spread in the Vineyard," says realtor.com senior editor Erik Gunther. "Secluded and with plenty of room to build a place for his security detail, this getaway is destined to be a spot for the well-connected to spend some luxurious down time."

Martha’s Vineyard is a favorite for politicians and celebrities because of its quiet atmosphere and rejection of bravado found in the likes of the Hamptons. Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal visit regularly with their children without so much as a blink from residents, and Ted Danson waits in line for ice cream like the rest. Jackie Kennedy vacationed there often, shopping publicly without a worry. Locals leave front doors unlocked, and produce and flower stands have long thrived on the honor system.

When Barack and his family visit, though, that way of life gets a temporary jolt. Islanders refer to the frenzy that ensues as "Obamarama," and it’s exactly what it sounds like: Obama t-shirts go up for sale, people gather for publicized outings, and a parade of tourism rears its head in the island’s six townships. If the Obamas purchase on the island, it may quell excitement surrounding their visits, granting them the kind of quietude locals covet.

In summer months, Martha's Vineyard hosts upwards of 100,000 people, but only about 15,000 call it home year-round. Farmers, fishers, artists, and writers all carry on in spite of tourism, or Obama-incited mania. Bookstore manager and long-time resident Susan Mercier is unfazed by the occasional hoopla: "[Martha's Vineyard] is a very down-to-earth and normal place to be," she says. 

Photos courtesy of landvest.com

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