It's the last week of December and thus, time to make up a bunch of awards for the best, worst and most absurd things that happened in Cape & Islands real estate, architecture and neighborhoods. Here now, your 2014 Curbed Awards.
The last round of Curbed Awards goes to the listings that had us swooning all year. Built between 1740 and 2014, these gorgeous Gambrels, Greek Revivals, Victorians, Contemporaries, Federals, Capes, and barn-turned-theatre-in-the-round-turned-casa hit or returned to the market asking between $323,000 and $7,900,000. In other words, you won't find any of the Cape & Islands priciest properties in this rundown, but rest assured, these spreads, from a one-bedroom condo to sprawling estates, are ogle-worthy. Behold, 20 of the most beautiful homes for sale in 2014.
We're pretty sure that the combination of a rundown strip mall and an abandoned asylum would probably look gorgeous at Chappaquiddick's 1 North Neck Road. That said, the architect-designed post-and-beam currently sitting on the tip of John Oliver Point is quite a looker. Once asking $9,500,000, the incredible island abode is now hoping for $7,900,000.
Not surprisingly, this West End "Rare Gem" with "interior akin to a luxury yacht" once graced the pages of House Beautiful. The one-bedroom Provincetown condo listed in March for $550,000 and, despite a Curbed commenter's bathroom concerns, sold in May for $525,000.
The Corinthian pilasters, temple-front facade, cupola (!!), hand carved banister, ballroom-turned-master bedroom, and gorgeous domed ceilings of Nantucket's 94 Main Street first appeared in July asking $4,900,000. By late October, a buyer had picked up the epic Greek Revival known as the Hadwen-Wright House for $4,700,000.
This gorgeous Nantucket barn-turned-theatre-in-the-round-turned-residence spent just a week on the market before selling for its full $5,395,000 ask.
Also on Nantucket, this chic new-build hit the market in August for $3,895,000. Naturally, the six-bedroom with sliding barn doors and yoga floor quickly sold for $3,700,000.
Rinse and repeat, Nantucket-style: in December, this design-y (sort of) new-build scored its full $4,750,000 asking price in just three days.
Are you there buyer? It's Judy Blume. The bestselling author has been trying to unload her beautiful Martha's Vineyard estate Forever. Well, actually just since 2012, but either way, the Lake Tashmoo compound, which has been featured in Architectural Digest, returned hoping for $4,750,000 this year, but seems to have given up (for now).
Built in 1900 and renovated in 2006, this shingle-style Gambrel overlooking West Falmouth's Old Silver Beach is now a knock-out. The stylish four-bedroom, which includes "timber from the restoration of the USS Constitution," came on the market in August and is asking $3,750,000.
The years 1740 and 2014 came together in Yarmouth Port and the result is rather lovely. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Ezekial Hallet House features a huge fireplace in the great room, a saline/gunite pool, and "a classic two story barn with a one car garage." First listed in October for $610,000, the 3BR, 2BA is now looking for $595,000.
This Contemporary stunner in Edgartown hit the market in August for $2,600,000, but these days, the "sleek" and "chic" architect-designed abode can be had for $2,500,000.
The Outer Cape's most expensive single-family listing is a swoon-worthy spread by way of Wellfleet with a $5,600,000 price tag.
Even picture-perfect Provincetown properties sometimes have to meet with the PriceChopper. This fully restored circa 1820 home debuted on the market in July for $2,945,000 and is now yours for $2,725,000.
This six-bedroom overlooking Nantucket Sound was the priciest pad in Cotuit when it debuted on the market for a whopping $8,980,000. Chock-full of seriously gorgeous woodwork, the 1.4 acre spread has since sold for $8,000,000.
Three seasons is all you get in this artsy gingerbread cottage, but perhaps that's all the sweetness one could handle. The historic Oak Bluffs 4BR came onto the market in August for $720,000 and is now in contract.
Hello, heartwood oak flooring, California redwood staircase, Arts and Crafts chandeliers galore, marble and porcelain tile fireplace surrounds, carved mantles, and an iconic four-story tower with observation cupola! This waterfront Woods Hole beauty dates to 1885, has views from Nobska Lighthouse to Martha's Vineyard, and is asking $6,400,000.
Also in Woods Hole, is this beachy and woodsy 2003 Contemporary overlooking Vineyard Sound. While we'd be plenty pleased hanging out in the "Zen inspired lower level" or on the private beach, the upstairs living areas are pretty stunning as well. Asking price is $8,399,000.
Arts & Crafts alert: "Built in 1937 by Harvard Prof. Rand, an authority on acoustics, the house was designed with a large atrium to permit his organ music to float over the water." The restored five-bedroom is located on Falmouth's Racing Beach and has been asking $5,600,000 since May.
Back to Provincetown, here's a stately two-family on rather lovely Dyer Street. The 1850 Victorian beauty hit the market in October and is asking $1,525,000.
The Grand Dame of Grayton Avenue arrived on the market in August looking for $2,850,000. As of this writing, the 1905 Hyannis Port landmark is still looking for a buyer.
Affordable and adorable, we wrote about this Sandwich Village 3BR in April when it was asking $323,000. The trendy Cape, with a pretty yard and wicked cute built-in bunk beds, sold in late July for $315,000.