Among the handful of classic cedar-shingled Nantucket vacation homes listed for sale this summer, one in particular has a unique feature: a private, state-of-the art, regulation squash court.
Conveniently located in the Mid Island area of “ACK” (as the locals call Nantucket), “Summer Squash” follows the custom of naming homes with charming quarterboard signs. Built in 2012 by a prominent family with a home in Sconset and collegiate squash players at Middlebury and Colby, their house could not accommodate a court due to local height restrictions on outbuildings. Excavation was not possible due to the shallow depth of the water table below their waterfront home. Mid Island was selected as the perfect spot for the excavation, but local zoning ordinances forbade building just a recreational structure alone — it had to have a residence as well. “That was not a problem,” said the original owner. “We were happy to have another house to accommodate overflow family and guests, as well as staff.”
By 2019, the family’s collegiate squash stars had graduated, so “Summer Squash” was put on the market. Enter the current owners, whose three boys were collegiate squash players at Middlebury, Williams and Hamilton, training with Shaun Moxham of M Squash. “I enjoyed going up in the summer to work with the boys and all of their squash-playing friends on the island,” said Moxham, who now runs the popular M Squash facilities in Port Chester, NY and South Norwalk, CT. “We had lessons and clinics each day, all summer long, it was a marvelous experience for all.”
The only other squash courts on Nantucket are at the private Great Harbor Yacht Club, with one singles court, and at the private Westmoor Club, with one singles and one doubles court.
In addition to Moxham, the family hosted Rick Penders for private training. Penders, the head professional at Street Squash in NYC, is a three-time All-American national champion and subsequent assistant coach at Trinity College under the legendary Paul Assaiante. “It was a slice of paradise,” said Penders. “Training for squash while enjoying Nantucket’s beaches and varied vacation activities was a delightful summer experience.”
The house also features a full gym for cross training, and mundane stationary bike work can be replaced by real cycling across the gorgeous Nantucket landscape.
One prospective buyer has discussed replacing the squash court with a swimming pool. “That would be a shame,” said the current owner. “The ocean nearby provides for great swimming, but the private squash court is sublime. We’re confident that a squash family will come along who recognizes its unique value.”
Further information about “Summer Squash” is available from Lisa Sherburne of Atlantic East Realty at (508) 560-0204 or [email protected].