Hailed as one of America’s most iconic first ladies, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis left behind an equally iconic home in Aquinnah, Massachusetts. How much is it selling for? Let’s just say you’ll need some serious cash to purchase this home… a total of $65 million to be exact.
The History Behind The Home
The stunning Red Gate Farm estate, which was once owned by the beloved Jacquelin Kennedy Onassis, is located in Martha’s Vineyard.
According to a press release, Jackie O fell in love with the home in 1979 and made it her own.
“She was drawn to the untamed beauty of the oceanfront property’s coastal dunes, freshwater ponds, and the abundance of plants, trees, birds and other wildlife, and she fiercely protected it, as has her daughter Caroline Kennedy in the years since.”
Since the former first lady’s death, her daughter Caroline Kennedy has preserved the home and made sure it was tended to just as her mother would’ve.
Caroline Kennedy said in a statement, “Forty years ago, my mother fell in love with Martha’s Vineyard. When she found Red Gate Farm, it was a perfect expression of her romantic and adventurous spirit. The dunes and ponds and rolling hills of Aquinnah gave her the chance to create a world where she could be so close to nature, close to her family and friends, and, most importantly, close to her beloved books. She even built a fairy treehouse for her grandchildren. Those grandchildren are grown so now it is time for us to follow my mother’s example and create our own worlds. We hope that a new family will treasure this place as we have for three generations. We are excited about the next chapter for Red Gate Farm.”
The Home
The Red Gate Farm Estate is a 340-acre beauty. Designed by Hugh Newell Jacobsen, the main house is reminiscent of a traditional Cape Cod home. The landscaping was innovated by Bunny Mellon, the same person responsible for the White House Rose Garden that was created while Jackie O was first lady.
This masterful project was originally completed in 1981, but Caroline Kennedy appointed Deborah Berke, dean of the Yale School of Architecture, to renovate and expand the home in 2000. The home now features five en-suite bedrooms, two and a half baths, a chef’s kitchen, two offices/studios, three fireplaces, and outdoor decks that provide scenic views. The property also includes a two-story guest house with four bedrooms, three baths, a living room, a kitchen, and a laundry area. Other notable areas of the estate include its two garages, a caretaker’s house, a boathouse, a temperature-controlled storage unit, and an original hunting cabin.
The listing even highlights that there is a bonus structure — the same fairy treehouse Caroline said Jackie O had constructed for her grandchildren.
Besides the home being stunningly equipped and built, an even larger selling point is its location. It sits facing the Atlantic Ocean and is surrounded by beautiful beachfront views. According to the listing, “All rooms except the dining room overlook the Atlantic Ocean.”
The Listing
Red Gate Farm is now being sold by Christie’s International Real Estate.
The CEO of Christie’s, Dan Conn, said in a press release, “The spirit of the property is in perfect balance. The family’s reverence for nature and the joy of their immersion into the natural world is reflected in every corner of this magnificent estate. The peacefulness one feels at Red Gate Farm is a direct result of its complete privacy, the level of care and commitment shown to the land for four decades, and the deep appreciation for the enduring memories created by those fortunate enough to pass through its red gates.”
While you may not be situated to purchase Red Gate Farm, you can definitely partake in its pastoral vibe with a trip to Martha’s Vineyard. Plan your Boston road trip to Martha’s Vineyard, or read up on Nantucket versus Martha’s Vineyard to determine which coastal Massachusetts getaway is right for you!
Red Gate Farm is being marketed globally by Christie’s International Real Estate, which is represented locally by Tom LeClair and Gery Conover, agents of LandVest, the exclusive Affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate on Martha’s Vineyard.
