187 Penzance Road

This irreplaceable 9.6-acre estate in Woods Hole is the essence of coastal elegance. It is a rare offering that encompasses an iconic main residence, a charming guesthouse, verdant grounds and gardens, a 36-foot swimming pool, and a rugged boathouse with a woodburning fireplace and a deepwater dock—all enveloped by the waters of Great Harbor and Buzzard’s Bay, with Naushon Island and Hadley Harbor in view.The uniquely American style of the Cape Cod beach home dates back centuries, recognized for its wood-shingled façade, gambrel roof, turrets, verandahs, and lush enveloping greenery. Designed by Rhode Island architect Michele Foster, the residence at Penzance Point is a bastion of this timeless New England style, with columns, paneling, Brazilian walnut flooring, four warming fireplaces, and nearly every room opening to a deck or overlooking the water. Storage—including a cedar closet on the second level—is plentiful. An elevator affords easy, convenient access to all levels.The grandeur begins in a dramatic foyer with a striking wood floor inlay. The space is overlooked by a lofty railed landing above, and its graceful circular shape is echoed in decorative windows and sidelights. Encouraging stylish day-to-day living and lively entertaining are a true chef’s kitchen providing generous sleek and streamlined space for preparing grand feasts, ample storage for glassware and crystal, a wet bar, a butler’s pantry, and appliances from Wolf, Gaggenau, and Sub-Zero; a formal dining room with a lighted oval tray ceiling, arched shelving niches, and a built-in corner pine china cabinet; a formal living room with a wood-burning fireplace, built-in cabinetry and shelves, abundant windows, and French doors opening to a deck overlooking the water. Warmed by a wood-burning fireplace, the library is suitable for more private moments, its handsome chestnut paneling reclaimed from Gladheim, the Warbasse family’s early-20th-century estate, and refurbished to its original luster. For further professional pursuits, the home includes an office or study with built-in cabinetry and French doors. Beneath a dramatic wood ceiling that mimics a boat’s hull, the family room has French doors on two sides affording refreshing sea breezes and views. An adjoining wet bar with a bath is a welcome amenity for entertaining. The only extant portion of the original estate, the heated brick-paved sunroom dates to 1911 and features a cathedral ceiling, a wall of arched glass, and doors to a deck overlooking Great Harbor.Among the home’s peaceful private quarters, the master suite is a serene retreat on the second level that includes a water-view balcony, dual baths, and a lovely dressing room with a wood-burning fireplace and a bay window. Each of the three guest bedrooms on the upper floor has its own en suite bath, and two enjoy private balconies overlooking the water. Secluded on the lower level, which can be accessed via a stairway from the kitchen, are the home’s laundry area, ample storage, and additional guest or staff quarters consisting of two bedrooms and a shared full bath.The freestanding guesthouse is equal in charm and style and offers two bedrooms, one and one-half baths, a living room with a wood-burning fireplace, a kitchen with a dining area, a quiet patio, a sunny waterfront deck, and its own laundry facilities and two-car garage.A delightful reminder of the home’s history and authenticity is the property’s original workshop, which dates to 1911 and, with its sturdy granite foundation, still serves its intended purpose. And of course, time on the water is an integral part of life on the Cape, and this estate accommodates with a deepwater dock and a boathouse. The acreage also includes an enviable long stretch of sandy beach and a smaller beach area near the boathouse.