A group of roughly 20 neighbors and abutters have organized to protest a proposed renovation of 81 South Water street in Edgartown, claiming that the new construction will block one of the last public views of the harbor.
A group of roughly 20 neighbors and abutters have organized to protest a proposed renovation of 81 South Water street in Edgartown, claiming that the new construction will block one of the last public views of the harbor.
The group, the Friends of Historic Edgartown, is asking members of the public to send comments opposing the proposal ahead of its public hearing before the Edgartown historic district commission on May 18.
The waterfront home is one of 10 high-end properties in Edgartown acquired over the last several years by private equity investor David Malm or Goldeneye, the real estate investment company he controls.
The proposed new construction, designed by longtime Vineyard architect Patrick Ahearn, will be 751 square feet larger than the previous building and includes an expanded porch, relocated garage and guest house, and waterside pool and retaining wall.
A rendering of David Malm's renovation plans for South Water street in Edgartown.
A rendering of David Malm's renovation plans for South Water street in Edgartown.
Neighboring resident and group spokesman John Brittain said in an interview that the renovation violates the historic commission’s community guidelines, particularly limits against oversized development.
“The proposed building would be dramatically larger than the neighboring houses,” Mr. Brittain said. “This is more of a modern, Hamptons-style mansion.”
In a preliminary hearing with the historic commission on April 20, Mr. Ahearn shared a presentation of the building’s renovation history and renderings of the proposed changes. The front, street-facing rendering shows the expanded building and screen porch.
In a phone call with the Gazette, Mr. Ahearn said that the current plans retain a 24-foot view corridor to the harbor, and the 12-foot screen porch extension would still allow a partial view of the harbor as well.
There are no local bylaws protecting abutters’ rights to retain their views, he added, except for properties with deeded view easements. In 2003, Mr. Brittain worked with the town to encourage residents to deed restrict their view easements for public enjoyment. Only two properties opted in, one being the Mayhew parsonage next door to the Malm residence.
Mr. Ahearn also said that due to a series of previous renovations, the current structure has very little in common with the 1912 Mayhew Cottage that originally sat on the property.
“In terms of the historic house, that doesn’t really exist anymore,” he said. “In light of that, I believe that gives us some creative license to improve upon [the property.]”
Mr. Ahearn noted that while the commission did not give any feedback in the preliminary hearing, he was willing to hear and address any concerns in the public hearing this month.
Mr. Ahearn said his client Mr. Malm was away on business and unavailable for comment at the time of publication.
Goldeneye, Mr. Malm’s company, acquired the house on South Water street in January for $15 million. According to the Wall Street Journal, he has spent nearly $100 million on properties in the Vineyard and Nantucket in the past five years. Mr. Malm and his company own 10 properties in Edgartown alone, valued at a total of $87 million, according to Edgartown assessors’ records.
Some neighbors see the proposed renovations as an existential threat to the community’s character and are concerned about the potential for another home in the neighborhood to be used as a short-term rental.
“I don’t think he’ll have too many friends on the street,” seasonal resident Denise Slaughter said. “Why is he buying in a historic area to build a monstrosity?”
Lucy Dahl, whose home sits across the street from the property, wrote in a letter to the Gazette about her memories sitting on the stoop admiring the view with her mother, Patricia Neal.
“Hundreds of people stop daily to take in and photograph the serenity and beauty of the harbor,” she wrote. “If this plan is not met with protest, the public vista will vanish, and visitors and residents would no longer be able to see what they have delighted in for hundreds of years.”
In his 50 years living on South Water street, Mr. Brittain said that he’s seen private development gradually edge out public views and vistas.
“The last time I spoke to David [Malm] was about a year ago,” he said. “I asked him about the view, and he said he wasn’t going to block it or do anything to upset the neighbors.”
The Edgartown historic district commission public hearing will take place May 18 at 4 p.m. via Zoom.
Story has been updated to show full expanse of rendering of proposed architectural plans and clarify the descriptions of those renderings.
Comments
This mansion looks familiar
Tom Engley West TisburyThis mansion looks familiar to me it reminds me of the former house of Peter Sharp on Starbucks neck. The Vineyard is for sale and being sold before our eyes. All the homes along the water in Edgartown and frankly all towns are mansions. The greed in our world is embarrassing. I don’t think we can stop it it’s too expensive to fight with people like this he’s laughing at us.
I agree. The world has gone
Business 101I agree. The world has gone so crazy that private chefs with extravagant gifts of travel and more will soon take to comment sections to carry on about the privilege of the wealthy. It will happen without shame or embarrassment. Oh the irony.
The Vineyard has been sold.
MartyThe Vineyard has been sold. Can't turn back the clock. We can only be a model for other communities for what not to do. We didn't centralize our town governments, schools, and public services. We didn't address affordable housing in any meaningful way. We didn't insist on an effective historic district commission or proactive zoning. Heck, we don't even enforce or inspect zoning much of the time. And if we speak out against greed we often get verbally pummeled by folks who make a very, very nice living from the very wealthy. Too bad, it was nice but now it's gone.
I completely agree with
Christine SengeI completely agree with everything you said, Marty.
We’ve owned a seasonal home on-island for 37 years. We are seriously considering selling because the lack of centralized government results in the island not addressing the dire need for affordable housing & the kind of zoning we need to not to become another Hamptons.
Owner of ten properties in
George Stein OBOwner of ten properties in Edgartown, hmmm. No !
The entitlement of the
Marty EdgartownThe entitlement of the neighbors and general public is astounding! If they have enjoyed the view for years without paying for the property, or taxes on the view property, the response might be "thank you for the free views for all the years." The Edgartown Historic District has been incredibly ineffective. It would be silly for that to change now.
Rich people problems.....
Brian M Oak bluffsRich people problems.....
Let me correct…the .001 % on
Rj Not thereLet me correct…the .001 % on earth can afford what this guy has. It’s absurd.
To me this is a perfect
John Aldeborgh KatamaTo me this is a perfect example of the great conundrum of the island. Martha’s Vineyard, for those families that have been he for a generation or more, is a completely different island than it once was, which can be frustrating and a little sad to those that loved the island of days now gone. At the same time, in my opinion, it’s wrong to oppose what any land owner wants to do with his (or her) property, assuming the work complies with the myriad of town and building regulations. David Malm is part of this community, he has been on the island for a long time and is meticulous in everything he does, plus he’s always teamed with top tier architects and builders. While the planed work sounds like it will change the face of South Water Street that is a right every resident has and is something we should all respect and defend. To me, while it’s easy to be persuaded that we should leave things as they currently are, that’s actually not the best thing for anyone who believes in the basic rights of all property owners. The bottom line is change is nothing more than evolution which cannot be stopped and is best embraced.
Neighbors crying about their
MarieNeighbors crying about their view does not move me.
How many commercial properties do we want in Edgartown? Can the town limit the number of boutique hotels/ Air BnB and other enterprises? That is what changes the nature of the town.
Heartbreaking. I’ve enjoyed
Jessica Burnham EdgartownHeartbreaking. I’ve enjoyed that view countless times and taken many pictures of it. No two are the same. Owns a huge amount of Edgartown and has no idea what he really has.
This just feels sad, and it’s
Lynn vera Oak bluffsThis just feels sad, and it’s hard to just accept that money truly is the loudest, most compelling factor. The drawing says it all…a big,mostly unattractive box blocking the harbor views and darkening the street as it blocks so much more light. And I imagine lots of light and glass and openness on the other side, privatizing that precious view. How is that ever permitted? The rights of whoever has enough to buy it trump it’s value to the thousands who used to feel welcome looking across that property to the water.
Property rights matter. The
William NYCProperty rights matter. The owner has a right to do as he chooses pursuant to the law.
Architects are hired guns and
Bob EdgartownArchitects are hired guns and will pretty much say and do whatever the client is willing to pay for. They do not have long-term interest or care about the town and aesthetics. They care more about pleasing the client and getting paid. The historic district has been made up of large homes and small homes, but recently they’re all turning into large homes, which is not the vernacular of downtown edgartown. We still need Diversity and this home would add nothing to the diversity. It would actually add to the same of what is going on. The home in its current condition is historic enough and interior Renovations are encouraged but the exterior no. They are putting a pool in to maximize the rental income of this property along with his others. He’s treating Edgartown as a cash machine.
As my mother Said to me Lot
RickHarrington EdgartownAs my mother Said to me Lot of bad taste out there. And they’ve got the money to prove it
There are several issues here
Carol EdgartownThere are several issues here. One is zoning. The private equity investor is buying up these properties and expanding them then renting them as hotels effectively. Is this OK in this neighborhood? If you have $100,000,000 in short term rentals, you are running a business, not owning a home. When you compress that level of investment in one neighborhood or section of a small town, you are running the town.
Maybe there is a way to limit
MarieMaybe there is a way to limit the number of boutique hotels in town. Weekend/weekly rentals change the nature of the neighborhood and town. These are commercial business investments.
What is the value of having a
Elizabeth Edgartown and NYCWhat is the value of having a Historic District if this house can be built in the middle of it? And what about the MV Preservation Trust? Indeed.
Owning real estate on South
Eric Carlsen Vineyard HavenOwning real estate on South Water St. has been hugely profitable to the property owners in the past. Has anyone noticed almost all of the water side of South Water St. has been renovated, torn down or developed in the past 20 years ?, so why so suddenly do we pick on David Malm for him jumping into owning a piece of the Golden Mile ? Let's not ignore the property tax income Edgartown will benefit from by his project.
If Patrick is doing the job
Dean NycIf Patrick is doing the job it will be a delight.
Thank you Patrick for all you do!
Its always nice to have a
reality check edgIts always nice to have a view. If residents expect public views to be preserved on private property, that is an issue that can be addressed via zoning. A property owner has been offering a 'free view' for years here at no cost to the people objecting. If a large hedge of trees was erected there is no zoning that could protect ANY view. No rules on that.. If the plaintiffs have a creative attorney, where by they get 'rights' via' constructive use... its a land court battle. (thats why you see private sidewalks in town blocked off one day per year to preserve the owners rights)
Hopefully, just like Ian
Ken Rusczyk OBHopefully, just like Ian Fleming's GoldenEye, our villan gets his just desserts.
Heartbreaking, really. Does
Cindy Flanders EdgartownHeartbreaking, really. Does he have a right to do it? Probably. But he's changing the town from what it was to something most people don't want. I have loved that little stretch of South Water for 60 plus years walking and riding back and forth from downtown to my grandmother's house. Sad that more generations won't get to enjoy it as well. Edgartown is no longer a village but a high priced place for people who don't understand why we love it.
I guess you can’t blame
Islander EdgartownI guess you can’t blame Ahearn for taking on yet another “creative” job, but their firm is constantly doing these renos that change the character of the island. Every time. But it’s Mr. Malm that for some reason needs an even bigger house with better views. Crazy world we live in. I pay my taxes to Edgartown because I live here, not because I am an investor, but I guess we are going the way of the buffalo. It is fair to acknowledge everyone involved.
It’s always got to be bigger,
Slater MVIt’s always got to be bigger, better, more, with everything on this island. What an embarrassment.
I bought a piece of land 12
Buck Martin EdgartownI bought a piece of land 12 years ago and the neighbor tried to fight everything I was doing because she loved the view! I don’t know the players involved with Water Street and it doesn’t matter. Like I told my neighbor “If y’all loved the view you shoulda bought it!”
A flippant reply isn’t quite
Islander MVA flippant reply isn’t quite the classiest way of dealing with such a neighbor. It’s the easy way out. Property owners do not have unlimited rights, it’s not a free-for-all. Your neighbor could build a skyscraper otherwise. I’m sorry if you feel ownership offers unlimited liberty. You bought the land and can build a house, but it matters what you built, same as this man. If you live in Edgartown, you have a vested interest in the harbor. Maybe you built to rent or as a second home, that would explain a lot.
It wasn’t a “flippant”
MarieIt wasn’t a “flippant” response. It was spot on.
There is no “classy” way to deal with a neighbor infringing on your private property rights.
This is a quote from the book
Greater Good? EdgartownThis is a quote from the book "Timeless", written by Patrick Ahearn. "Timeless ... explains how he adapts and applies philosophy’s greater-good theory to each of his projects. The idea of the greater good encapsulates his profound belief that architecture has the power to improve lives, to increase happiness, and to encourage friendly and familiar interactions.
It serves as a guiding principle for all of his work.
To achieve the goals of this theory, Ahearn designs buildings that are appropriately scaled and smartly sited, paying as much attention to the spaces between structures as to the structures themselves.
One might ask if Patrick applied his "Greater Good" design theory to this house and sensitive location.
It's really the years old
Pat Tyra Edgartown and Dania Beach, FLIt's really the years old view of both this property and the Mayhew Parsonage and the latter view is being saved with the latest sale. I recall when there was NO hedge so the view was even more spectacular. Hopefully some view will be saved on this property.
As a reminder: many people on
Wendy West TisburyAs a reminder: many people on this island can’t find housing they afford. That’s a real problem, for many many families.
A protective tree ordinance
Johanna hA protective tree ordinance on private land would be a good start - protect the land and the views - irs been done in many towns including Cambridge MA
Edgartown’s Historic District
Deborah Mello Orazem EdgartownEdgartown’s Historic District apparently is meaningless if this proposed building is allowed to go through. Boca Raton and Captiva Island come to mind, where one is unable to even get a glimpse of the Gulf of Mexico. Edgartown’s mistake is allowing anyone on the town sewer to build up to six bedrooms, thus essentially eliminating the half capes that hold Edgartown village charm. There is still time to preserve this historic and important public view and stop this grossly oversized building project.
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