A sea captain built this Nantucket house around 1834; after being moved and restored twice, the 7,000-plus-square-foot home that sold for $9.5 million is now listed for $32 million
A historic Nantucket home with a past as remarkable as its architecture has returned to the luxury property market with a $32 million price tag. Built around 1834 for sea captain George C. Gardner, the Greek Revival house has survived decades of change, including a move to its current location and two major restoration efforts. The 7,000-plus-square-foot residence at 141 Main Street later sold for $9.5 million after its most recent restoration. Now, the George C. Gardner House combines its 19th-century character with modern interiors, a swimming pool and a three-bedroom guest cottage. The details were reported by Realtor.com.
Built for a Nantucket sea captain
The house was constructed around 1834 for George C. Gardner, a sea captain and descendant of Richard Gardner, one of Nantucket’s early English settlers. Gardner made his fortune through whaling, an industry that shaped the island’s economy and identity during the 19th century. The home reflects the architectural character of that period. Its clapboard exterior features a five-bay facade, a columned portico and a widow’s walk, a rooftop platform traditionally associated with the wives of seafarers watching for ships returning from voyages.Gardner eventually shifted the original house into a carriage-house role after building a larger mansion closer to the road. The property’s story, however, was far from over.
The house was constructed around 1834 for George C. Gardner, a sea captain and descendant of Richard Gardner, one of Nantucket’s early English settlers (Image Credit: Realtor.com)
The house was moved and restored
By the 1920s, the historic residence had fallen into disrepair. Gladys Wood later purchased it and moved the house to Main Street, where it remains today. She also hired architect Alfred Shurrocks to undertake its restoration. Shurrocks was working at the time on the restoration of the Jethro Coffin House, considered Nantucket’s oldest house.The property underwent another major revival in the early 2000s. Its owners brought in New York preservation specialist Joseph Pell Lombardi, who prepared specifications for conserving both the exterior and interior of the historic residence. That restoration was completed in 2005, after which the house was sold for $9.5 million. Its latest listing represents a substantial change in asking price, with the property now offered at $32 million.
Historic details meet modern living
Despite its age, the home is designed for contemporary living. The original architectural character remains visible through features including a central hall, a turned staircase and fireplaces in the parlor, library and dining room. However, the interiors are more modern than strictly period in style. A contemporary kitchen connects with dining and sitting areas, while several living spaces provide room for entertaining.One distinctive feature is the double staircase leading from the sunroom into the garden, often referred to as “friendship stairs”. The formal dining room also pays tribute to the residence’s connection with its original sea captain owner. The main house spans more than 7,000 square feet and includes four en suite bedrooms with direct pool access. The entire third floor is dedicated to the primary suite, which includes an office and a private deck overlooking the gardens and a privately held unbuildable parcel beyond the property.
Pool, guest cottage and Main Street setting
The 0.56-acre property also includes a swimming pool positioned at the rear of the lot. The pool serves both the main residence and a three-bedroom guest cottage, giving the property additional space for visitors while maintaining separation from the main living areas. Its location adds another layer to the property’s appeal. The house sits on Nantucket’s Main Street, surrounded by the island’s historic architecture, restaurants, galleries and boutiques. The water is about 10 minutes away.Nantucket’s historic district encompasses the entire island and includes more than 800 pre-Civil War buildings, making the setting particularly significant for a property whose own history stretches back nearly two centuries. The George C. Gardner House therefore arrives on the market not simply as a large luxury residence, but as a piece of Nantucket history that has been moved, restored and adapted while retaining many of the architectural details associated with its 1830s origins.
