$20,000,000
Osterville, MA 02655
MLS# 22502840
Status: Closed
8 beds | 9 baths | 7310 sqft
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Property Description
A secluded treasure nestled on a private island. In the 1950s, Paul Mellon, heir to the famous banking family that established the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., and his wife Bunny chose this setting for a summer retreat. They created a home of elegance, comfort and great beauty, where they entertained world leaders, movie stars and industrialists. Bunny shaped the gardens and landscape, creating an exquisite blend of native plantings and trees. The 7,300-square-foot main house is integrated into the land, with its eight bedrooms offering views of either the sea or the gardens. Natural pathways wind through the property, connecting the main house to cottages—including a former art studio converted into a private suite—and lead to a beach house, where the Mellons hosted President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline. With over five hundred feet of waterfront, a private dock, and access to a private island, now serving as a protected bird sanctuary, this is an island haven like no other.
Details
Maps
Documents
Contract Info
List Price/SqFt: 3262.65
Status: Closed
Original List Price: 23850000
Sold Price: $20,000,000
Current Price: $20,000,000
List Date: 2025-06-10
Legal and Taxes
Town: Barnstable
Village: Osterville
Estimated Annual Taxes: 74701
Building Assessments: 1858800
Other Assessments: 306500
Total Assessment: 9002100
Title Reference - Book: C199323
Title Reference - Page: 0
Flood Ins Required: No
Lead Base Paint: Unknown
Mass Use Code: 10 - Multiple Use Property
Nitrogen Sensitive Area: Yes
Street #: 17
Street Name: Indian
Street Suffix: Trail
County: Barnstable
State: MA
Zip Code: 02655
Tax ID: 070-009-004
Tax Year: 2025
General Property Info
Region: Mid-Cape
School District: Barnstable
Zoning: RF-1
Property Sub-Type: Single Family Residence
Renovated: No
Stories: 2
Total Rooms: 21
Field Card SqFt: 7310
Basement: Yes
Baths - Half: 0
Association: Yes
Fee Amount: 4500
Fee Frequency: Annually
Private Dock: Yes
Private Pool: No
Lot Size SqFt: 323651
Leased Land: No
Membership Required: Yes
Lot Size Source: Field Card
Acres: 7.43
Garage: Yes
# of Cars: 4
# of Parking Spaces: 8
Year Round: Yes
Golf Course Front: No
Golf Course View: No
Waterfront: Yes
Water Body: Seapuit River
Waterfront Type: Rivers
Water Body Type: See Remarks
Water Access Type: Private
Waterview: Yes
Water Body View: Nantucket Sound
Waterview Type: Ocean
Miles to Beach: 0 - .1
Property Includes Recording Devices: Yes
Device Records: Both Audio and Video
Subdivision: Oyster Harbors
Year Built: 1954
Total Finished Space: 7310
Bedrooms - Total: 8
Baths - Full: 9
Baths - Total: 9
Remarks & Misc
Public Remarks: A secluded treasure nestled on a private island. In the 1950s, Paul Mellon, heir to the famous banking family that established the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., and his wife Bunny chose this setting for a summer retreat. They created a home of elegance, comfort and great beauty, where they entertained world leaders, movie stars and industrialists. Bunny shaped the gardens and landscape, creating an exquisite blend of native plantings and trees.
The 7,300-square-foot main house is integrated into the land, with its eight bedrooms offering views of either the sea or the gardens. Natural pathways wind through the property, connecting the main house to cottages—including a former art studio converted into a private suite—and lead to a beach house, where the Mellons hosted President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline.
With over five hundred feet of waterfront, a private dock, and access to a private island, now serving as a protected bird sanctuary, this is an island haven like no other.
Directions to Property: Oyster Harbors Island. Directions will be provided by security attendant.
Status Change Info
Concessions: No
Estimated Selling Date: 2025-12-22
Sold Price/SqFt: 2735.98
SP/AV: 2.22
Under Contract Date: 2025-10-23
Sold Date: 2025-12-23
Sold Price: $20,000,000
Street Description
Private: 1
Special Listing Cond
None: 1
Year Built Desc
Approximate: 1
Basement Description
Other - See Remarks: 1
Association Fee Incl
Rubbish Removal: 1
Security: 1
Snow Removal: 1
Architectural Style
Contemporary: 1
Foundation Details
Other: 1
Private Dock Description
None: 1
Floors
Hardwood: 1
Sewer
Private Sewer: 1
Roof Description
Shingle: 1
Wood: 1
Siding Description
Shingle: 1
Wood Siding: 1
Heating
Hot Water: 1
Cooling
Central Air: 1
Fuel Type
Oil: 1
Water
Public: 1
Hot Water
Water Heater: 1
Hot Water Source
Oil: 1
Other Structures
Greenhouse: 1
Outbuilding: 1
Tennis Court(s): 1
Exterior Features
Garden: 1
Outdoor Shower: 1
Underground Sprinkler System: 1
Property Features
Street Description: Private
Special Listing Cond: None
Architectural Style: Contemporary
Year Built Desc: Approximate
Basement Description: Other - See Remarks
Foundation Details: Other
Association Fee Incl: Rubbish Removal; Security; Snow Removal
Floors: Hardwood
Private Dock Description: None
Other Structures: Greenhouse; Outbuilding; Tennis Court(s)
Exterior Features: Garden; Outdoor Shower; Underground Sprinkler System
Roof Description: Shingle; Wood
Siding Description: Shingle; Wood Siding
Sewer: Private Sewer
Heating: Hot Water
Cooling: Central Air
Fuel Type: Oil
Water: Public
Hot Water: Water Heater
Hot Water Source: Oil
Lead Paint Disclosure 
Listing Office: LandVest, Inc.
Listing Agent: Kelly Crosby
Last Updated: December - 23 - 2025
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