PROPERTY PROFILE AtlanticEast Real Estate $3,595,000
Outstanding renovation on Orange
In 1831, when the George Gardner Row Houses were built near the crest of the hill on Orange Street, the owner of the property, Philip Folger, a whaling merchant, saved the best home for himself and set it off from the rest with its own Federal-style front porch and a dramatic bay window, providing second story views up and down the busy, downtown street. This, of course, is the gracious home at 23 Orange Street - a home which has been owned by only two families since it was built.

This house, with its many unique and intriguing spaces, has been completely renovated this year. Careful attention and amazing skill have been applied to the project, yielding a property which pays homage and respect to the history of the place, but is not, in any way, a slave to it. The modern world and historic Nantucket coexist, side-by-side in this property; a happy marriage of new and old which results in one of the finest historic homes that we've seen for sale on the island.

A tour of the property begins at the welcoming and majestic foyer from which one could make a bee-line, past the living and dining rooms, through the modern, sunny kitchen and straight to the back door. This perspective gives the visitor an instant impression of the home's depth (and warmth). To one's left is a wonderful, narrow staircase with its gently curving handrail which begins on the top floor and extends down three flights to the lower level of the home in a continuous line. The risers are decorated with delicate hand-cut scrollwork.

To the right is the formal living room/parlor with its Federal-style hearth and antique shuttered windows which overlook Orange Street. Adjacent to the living room is the dining room which features a matching fireplace and a doorway which leads to a hidden brick patio.

The floors of these rooms are like an historic document, showing the patina of age and revealing clues as to some of the original architectural details that have changed over the years. It is quite fortunate that the floors have not been replaced in the home's 175-year history.

As one continues toward the back of the first floor, there is the option to take the stairway to the lower level where the family room and exposed brick, 19th century, cooking hearth can be found, or one can continue toward the rear of the home where the modern kitchen is located. Along that route, the hallway expands to reveal a very comfortable seating area defined by a trio of oversized, sunny windows. This is the ideal place to sit with one's morning coffee and a newspaper, or to curl up with a good book. A few steps along and the room expands again, both in width and in light level, and one enters the kitchen proper. This space is anchored by a stately island with an overhead, wrought-iron pot-rack. The range is a chunky retro Aga gas cooker which feels right at home in this historic space (a nice change of pace from the stainless steel restaurant-grade appliances common in today's upscale island homes).

Opposite the food prep space is an oversized, informal dining area with room for a large farm table and many chairs, surrounded by sunlit windows. Through the back door, there are more surprises. To the left, up a small stone stair, there is a large grassy yard which wraps around the next-door neighbor's property, and to the right, off-street parking (a treasured thing in the Old Historic District) with access via quiet Fair Street.

The second floor contains three bedrooms, each with its own bath (This home could easily double as an inn for this reason). The Master suite, which is in the front of the home, features its own fireplace as well as a luxurious bath, and a sitting area surrounded by bay windows affording partial harbor views.

On the third floor are two additional bedrooms (also with partial water views), each with full private baths, a small common area and a spiral stair which leads to a breathtaking roof deck and a stunning panoramic view of the harbor from Brant Point to Pocomo.

This spectacular, newly-renovated home in the Old Historic District is offered for $3,595,000.

I