Why Hollywood Hides Out at Martha's Winery

It hit the sleepy island community just like a rogue wave once the rumor started to swirl within the fall: Rhianna was purchasing property on Martha's Winery, the famous Massachusetts playground of presidents, Pulitzer Prize those who win and producers alike. By December, media shops had begun confirming the pop temptress had chosen an estate on Chappaquiddick, the little island from the eastern finish from the Winery. The reviews, which relayed that Gaga was creating a home not not even close to Meg Ryan's house, put citizens right into a tizzy.our editor recommendsElizabeth Taylor's Bel Air Estate SellsScientology's Hollywood Property EmpireOzzy and Sharon Osbourne Selling Their Hidden Hillsides Estate for $12.999 MillionWill Cruz and Jada Pinkett Cruz Showcase 25,000 Sq . Ft . Calabasas Retreat One problem: There's no truth towards the rumor, say a resource within the singer's camping and many island realtors. However the fervor within the alleged deal states a great deal concerning the Winery's housing market. Although product sales is lower this season, several high-profile Winery proprietors have listed their houses, including former an hour correspondent Mike Wallace, director Peter Farrelly and Pulitzer-winning authors Geraldine Brooks and Tony Horwitz. Plus some new industry names are relocating too. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Property Deals But looking to get local people to discuss the dealings is yet another factor altogether. Citizens are notoriously bent on safeguarding the privacy of large names about the 87-square-mile island, accessible largely by ferry and puddle-jumpers -- only early in the year did JetBlue begin direct service from New You are able to -- and made up of six small cities holding 15,000 year-round citizens. "Yes, individuals are very protective of celebs here. The inclination is to say, 'No comment,' " states realtor Mark Jenkins, who had been prepared to discuss -- and debunk -- the alleged Gaga purchase since the property the singer is stated to possess bought is possessed by a good investment banker Jenkins signifies. PHOTOS: Top Ten Entertainment Business Property Deals of the season The most recent high-profile deals were produced in the autumn and winter, typically an active period because purchasers frequently prefer to obtain their summer time homes taken care of prior to the growing season, which draws in hundreds of 1000's of travelers, swelling the Winery's population to -- by some accounts -- a lot more than 100,000. One of the bigger transactions, the Walter Cronkite estate in Edgartown was offered by his beneficiaries for $11.3 million to some London-based financier, and Tony-winning director/librettist James Lapine and the wife, film writer Sarah Kernochan (9½ Days, What Lies Beneath), bought a $4.5 million residence next to the Edgartown Club. Meanwhile, Michael J. Fox and wife Tracy Pollan offered their Aquinnah the place to find upon the market NHL star Cam Neely for $2.35 million. And actress Amy Brenneman and her husband, director Kaira Silberling, compensated $4.3 million for any five-bed room waterfront home in West Tisbury. STORY: EXCLUSIVE: Hollywood Office Tower Selling for $92 Million Possibly most well-known because of its Kennedy clan association -- the household keeps a substance in Aquinnah -- the Winery is a summer time getaway for that Clintons (Leader Clinton is keen on the beloved Black Dog restaurant) and much more lately the Obamas. This summer time, the leader will holiday with his family in the Blue Heron Farm, where they've remained each summer time since 2009, based on property sources. The compound rents for $35,000 per week, though sources the Obamas pay less. The 29-acre Blue Heron property, which includes a five-bed room primary house, is found on the Tisbury Great Pond while offering the kind of seclusion most of the island's celebrity estates provide. But this past year, the very first couple was seen ducking from Condition Road, a farmhouse-style restaurant whose traders are stated to incorporate part-time island resident Peter Chernin. (The first kind News Corp. leader's speaker rejected comment.) Producer Jeffrey Kramer, another longtime Winery visitor -- his grandfather founded brokerage Cronig's Property there in 1917 -- states everybody from celebrities to presidents values the Winery offers them an opportunity to remain alone. "There have been always stars there they aren't hassled," states Kramer, who co-executive created Ally McBeal and also the Practice coupled with a little role in Jaws, that was shot about the Winery. STORY: Why Brentwood Property Is Thriving Indeed, Spike Lee, David Letterman, Carly Simon, James Taylor and Mike Nichols and Diane Sawyer are probably the high-profile property proprietors about the island. Another regular is Ray David among the island's hot new eateries, 7a Meals, tweeted lately he visited 2 days consecutively. For individuals thinking about purchasing in, Wallace, who's stated to become ailing, has listed his home in Winery Haven for $7.8 million. The 1.4-acre, six-bed room residence includes a private beach. Another waterfront property available on the market may be the three-bed room Farrelly residence, listed for $5.5 million. It features custom woodwork, reclaimed chestnut flooring and antique French limestone fire places imported from Provence. Listing agent Francine Agnoli of brokerage Priestley Smadbeck & Mone Property rejected comment. VIDEO: 'Unreal Estate' Book to Document Famous Hollywood Houses The house that Brooks (who won a Pulitzer on her novel March in 2006) and Horwitz (a Pulitzer champion in 1995 for national confirming while in the Wall Street Journal who's now a writer) can sell has serious Winery pedigree. Built-in the mid-1800s, back in the day the place to find prominent whaling captain James Lawrence Cruz. The 3-story Winery Haven house includes seven sleeping rooms, a rustic kitchen and sea sights. States Jenkins, a real estate agent with Wallace & Co. Sotheby's Worldwide Real estate that has your opportunity, "It's these feelings of the very grand house -- it's a landmark property." It's also the kind of property that may interest a Hollywood player looking for a summer time respite. Jennifer Belushi continues to be travelling with husband James about the Winery for a long time and states the area's "very unpretentious" character is really a draw. "I believe that's the truly amazing factor about Martha's Winery: It's not Hollywood," she states. "It's not the Hamptons, also it's not Aspen. People visit and spend time." MARTHA'S Winery Through The Amounts Data from property statistics firm the Warren Group reveal that the Martha's Winery market has slowed down this season, though costs are increasing June 2010: 27 houses offered $530,000 (median cost) June 2011: 14 houses offered $706,520 (median cost) FIVE Eateries OUT From a classic standby to up-and-comers, fundamental essentials Winery's dining hot spots (from a to z) l'Etoile, 22 N. Water St.,Edgartown 7a Meals, 1045 Condition Road, West Tisbury SideCar Coffee shop, 16 Kennebec Ave., Oak Bluffs Condition Road, 688 Condition Road, West Tisbury Sweet Existence Coffee shop, 63 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs Related Subjects Rhianna Meg Ryan