Nantucket Officials Are Spending Millions To Move 3 Homes Off Prime Beachfront Land and Clear Space for Public Use

Prime oceanfront homes in Nantucket, MA, are preparing to shift farther from the shore—that's right, the homes will be moved, something that's popular on the island.

But the reason behind this move is to provide more affordable housing.

The Nantucket Affordable Housing Trust and the Nantucket Land Bank are collaborating to relocate three housing units from the Land Bank’s property at 41 Jefferson Ave. to a vacant lot in the Madaket section of Nantucket, where they will be sold as attainable housing for year-round residents.

Another structure is slated for relocation to a Land Bank–owned property at 159 Hummock Pond Road, where it will be used as employee housing.

Once these homes are moved, the empty beach will be available to the public for both residents and visitors alike.

Buying the beachfront property

In November 2024, the Land Bank bought the 1-acre beachfront compound at 41 Jefferson for $26 million, which was the most the Land Bank has ever paid for a property.

The Land Bank is supported by monetary and land donations, along with a 2% surcharge on real estate transactions. It uses these resources to acquire, preserve, and manage land for public benefit.

"Opportunities to acquire north shore beaches are rare, and when 41 Jefferson Avenue became available, the Land Bank Commissioners recognized it as a once-in-a-lifetime chance to preserve this scenic stretch of beach—just steps from downtown—for both locals and visitors alike," the Land Bank wrote on its official website.

Relocating the units

The three housing units are slated to be relocated to 158 Madaket Road.

At a special meeting Jan. 22, the Affordable Housing Trust unanimously approved the $2 million purchase of the property, pending agreement from the current owner, Franz Peter Arzt. The transaction also requires approval from the Select Board.

The property was most recently listed for $2,375,000, and the amount above the purchase price will be recognized as a donation.

Plans for the beach

Moving the units "allows the Land Bank to support Nantucket’s ongoing housing crisis while also opening the beach for public enjoyment," the Land Bank's website states. "We are grateful to contribute to the island’s housing needs while continuing to prioritize the long-term vision of this beach as an accessible public space."

According to its website, the Land Bank Commission’s future goals for the Jefferson property include "fostering accessibility with ADA-compliant boardwalks, access to beach wheelchairs and additional beach parking."

Jetties Beach and Children’s Beach are also accessible options on Nantucket for people with disabilities.

Affordable housing

The three homes being relocated will offer a total of eight bedrooms and will be deed-restricted to remain attainable for year-round living.

Two will be reserved for households earning up to 150% of Nantucket's area median income of $163,500, and the third will be capped at 240%. Each will be sold to year-round residents.

“The intention is to create three stand-alone housing units for homeownership,” housing director Kristie Ferrantella told the Nantucket Current.

Housing affordability has been a challenge in Nantucket, where the median list price is a staggering $5,322,500.

Cost of the move

According to the Nantucket Current, an earlier estimate placed the cost of the move at $6 million to $10 million.

If the relocation ultimately costs $10 million, combined with $26 million for the beach property and $2 million for the vacant lot, the total project cost would be upward of $38 million.

Realtor.com® reached out to Nantucket city officials for comment, and they said they will share a response on Feb. 3, after the next Affordable Housing Trust meeting.