Diane Sawyer Is Selling Her Legendary Martha's Vineyard Estate, and the Kitchen Will Make You Feel Right At Home
Nestled into the beaches of Martha’s Vineyard lies a 20-acre compound owned by renowned TV broadcast journalist, Diane Sawyer. The property, which sits on two parcels of land between Vineyard Sound and Lake Tashmoo, is nicknamed “Chip Chop” and just recently hit the market for a jaw-dropping $24 million. If you’ve ever wondered how the elite of Martha’s Vineyard live and decorate their homes, Sawyer’s residence is a great place to start looking.
Courtesy of Bob Gothard
The listing, which is held by Mark Jenkins at Sotheby International Realty, is a single family home built in 1937. The legendary beach property has had an exceptional life, surviving the lore of Martha’s Vineyard throughout the 1940s and onward when it was originally built for Broadway star, Katharine Cornell. Over the decades to follow, the compound would host a wide variety of well-known figures including those in literature, theater, cinema and politics before eventually being purchased in 1995 by Sawyer and her late film director husband, Mike Nichols, for $5.3 million.
Four separate homes can be found spread across the two parcels of land (one 17.4 acres and the other 2.84 acres): a 5,000 square-foot 3-bedroom main house, a 2-bedroom caretaker’s cottage and two beautiful beach houses that were built in 2007. And throughout each home, large windows can be found, letting in an abundance of natural light.
Courtesy of Bob Gothard
The cottage feel mixed with the layout of the compound makes this place feel like a private resort. Between the incredible views of the ocean, the mile of private shoreline and the swimming pool with views of the mainland, this property has absolutely no shortage of incredible vantage points. Two separate, detached bedroom suites known as the Pond Pavilion and the Ocean Pavilion can also be found on the compound along with a Har-Tru tennis court that is conveniently hidden in a private corner of the property.
While there are plenty of standout amenities to the legendary property, one of the main things that caught our eye was the main kitchen. Delivering true nostalgia , the light wood and what seems to be jewel-toned granite countertops pair perfectly with the loads of natural light coming in. A built-in cookbook shelf, stainless steel appliances and a large kitchen island equipped with a stove and extra sink also grace the space as well.
The west shack, however — though much smaller than the main area — boasts a more modern kitchen that features off-white cabinetry, grey countertops and Viking-brand stainless steel appliances. Of course, the natural lighting is ample in this space as well, making it the perfect place to host intimate gatherings when you aren't looking to have your home overtaken by guests.
Courtesy of Bob Gothard
Rather entertain al fresco? That won't be a problem here either. The tennis area, main pergola, ocean pavilion, pond pavilion, pool or the decks on either shack deliver ideal areas to host a party or watch the sunset with your favorite glass of wine.
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The wood-shingled, New England-style home is reportedly being sold by the 77-year-old anchor due to “the rhythms of summer having changed.” The ABC World News Tonight anchor told the WSJ that as her family has grown, “there is less free time for long visits to the island.” She added that “five grandchildren have run through the halls, learned to swim in the warm waters, gathered moss in the forest,” and continued to describe how “at Thanksgiving, both enormous fireplaces in the great room give off warmth and golden light. We have always felt so lucky to be together in this magic place.”
You can check out the listing here, in all of its glory, and see if you could picture yourself living on this incredible compound just 7 miles out from Cape Cod. Just think of all of the amazing summer barbeques and beach days you could enjoy.
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