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10 Architecturally Awesome Rentals on the Cape & Islands

By Jazmine Hogan Donaldson
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By Jazmine Hogan Donaldson

What do Revolutionary War reenactments, sleeping cantilevered over a harbor and poontoon/sailfish arches have in common? Very little, we imagine, but such features are all available (separately) as temporary digs on the Cape & Islands. How do we know? We sifted through the listings to find rentals with architecturally significant features and came up some pretty cool results. From a wicked old tavern in Sandwich (circa 1693!) to a trio of swoon-worthy mid-century icons in Wellfleet, here are ten architecturally awesome rentals on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.


· Renters Week 2013 [Curbed Cape Cod]

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Newcomb Tavern

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Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Newcomb Tavern has been accepting guests since the place was built back in 1693. Per the rather boastful listing: "The house is a showcase of the 17th century, the oldest privately owned home and one of the most photographed homes on Cape Cod and New England."

Grove Street, Sandwich, MA 02563

Boathouse on Quissett Harbor

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Here's a 2BR, 1BA boathouse literally on Quissett Harbor. The place sleeps five and is just 500 yards from two beaches - The Knob and Crescent.

Quissett Harbor Road, Falmouth, MA

Eastham Architectural

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Per the listing: "This is not your typical house." The architecturally designed 3BR, 2.5BA even comes with its very own pontoon/sailfish arch separating the front from a private deck (on the left).

Summit Avenue & Carlton Way, Eastham, MA 02642

Hatch Cottage

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The Cape Cod Modern House Trust (CCMHT) completed their restoration of the Hatch Cottage in spring 2013. "Since then the cottage has hosted four artist/scholar residencies," but it's now listed on the CCMHT blog as available to members to rent. Designed by Jack Hall in 1960 for Robert Hatch, "The cottage itself is a matrix of cubes. Some are single and some combine to make bigger shared spaces. The cubes are connected by outdoor decks which seem to dematerialise due to the decking being laid on edge; making the whole seem to hover a few feet above the ground."

Griffins Island Road, Cape Cod, Wellfleet, MA 02667

Lilly Saarinen House

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The iconic mid-century Lilly Saarinen House is available for rent, May through September, and recently returned to the market asking $1.2M. Per the rental listing, the 3BD, 3BA is "particularly secluded" and "the only home on the pond."

520 Black Pond Road, Cape Cod, Wellfleet, MA 02667

Kugel/Gips House

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The Cape Cod Modern House Trust (CCMHT) saved the Kugel/Gips House from the wrecking ball, restoring the Charlie Zehnder designed house overlooking Northeast Pond. "There are three bedrooms, two baths and the ocean beach is a five minute walk. Furniture and art in the house has been collected and donated to help contexturalize the architecture." Members of the CCMHT can book weekly rentals.

188 Long Pond Road, Cape Cod, Wellfleet, MA 02667

The Boathouse at Labrador Landing

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The Boathouse at Labrador Landing was built in the 1800s and is one of the few remaining PTown cottages that is cantilevered over water.

47 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA 02657

Gingerbread Cottages

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The adorable gingerbread cottages, aka the Campground Cottages at the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association, are part of a National Historic Landmark District. Many of the properties, gothic flare and all, are available for rent.

58 Trinity Park, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557

Captain Morse House

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Located in the heart of downtown Edgartown, this 8BR, 5BA is, according to the listing, "a superb example of the grand homes built by the New England Whaling Captains in the 1800's." The 8,400 sq. ft. spread is even decorated with period furnishings and artwork.

80 North Water Street, Edgartown, MA 02539

Captain Silas Jones House

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Cue the Commodores: "the Captain Silas Jones House, built in 1772, and is the oldest completely brick home on Nantucket."

5 Orange Street, Nantucket, MA 02554
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Newcomb Tavern

Grove Street, Sandwich, MA 02563

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Newcomb Tavern has been accepting guests since the place was built back in 1693. Per the rather boastful listing: "The house is a showcase of the 17th century, the oldest privately owned home and one of the most photographed homes on Cape Cod and New England."

Grove Street, Sandwich, MA 02563

Boathouse on Quissett Harbor

Quissett Harbor Road, Falmouth, MA

Here's a 2BR, 1BA boathouse literally on Quissett Harbor. The place sleeps five and is just 500 yards from two beaches - The Knob and Crescent.

Quissett Harbor Road, Falmouth, MA

Eastham Architectural

Summit Avenue & Carlton Way, Eastham, MA 02642

Per the listing: "This is not your typical house." The architecturally designed 3BR, 2.5BA even comes with its very own pontoon/sailfish arch separating the front from a private deck (on the left).

Summit Avenue & Carlton Way, Eastham, MA 02642

Hatch Cottage

Griffins Island Road, Cape Cod, Wellfleet, MA 02667

The Cape Cod Modern House Trust (CCMHT) completed their restoration of the Hatch Cottage in spring 2013. "Since then the cottage has hosted four artist/scholar residencies," but it's now listed on the CCMHT blog as available to members to rent. Designed by Jack Hall in 1960 for Robert Hatch, "The cottage itself is a matrix of cubes. Some are single and some combine to make bigger shared spaces. The cubes are connected by outdoor decks which seem to dematerialise due to the decking being laid on edge; making the whole seem to hover a few feet above the ground."

Griffins Island Road, Cape Cod, Wellfleet, MA 02667

Lilly Saarinen House

520 Black Pond Road, Cape Cod, Wellfleet, MA 02667

The iconic mid-century Lilly Saarinen House is available for rent, May through September, and recently returned to the market asking $1.2M. Per the rental listing, the 3BD, 3BA is "particularly secluded" and "the only home on the pond."

520 Black Pond Road, Cape Cod, Wellfleet, MA 02667

Kugel/Gips House

188 Long Pond Road, Cape Cod, Wellfleet, MA 02667

The Cape Cod Modern House Trust (CCMHT) saved the Kugel/Gips House from the wrecking ball, restoring the Charlie Zehnder designed house overlooking Northeast Pond. "There are three bedrooms, two baths and the ocean beach is a five minute walk. Furniture and art in the house has been collected and donated to help contexturalize the architecture." Members of the CCMHT can book weekly rentals.

188 Long Pond Road, Cape Cod, Wellfleet, MA 02667

The Boathouse at Labrador Landing

47 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA 02657

The Boathouse at Labrador Landing was built in the 1800s and is one of the few remaining PTown cottages that is cantilevered over water.

47 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA 02657

Gingerbread Cottages

58 Trinity Park, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557

The adorable gingerbread cottages, aka the Campground Cottages at the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association, are part of a National Historic Landmark District. Many of the properties, gothic flare and all, are available for rent.

58 Trinity Park, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557

Captain Morse House

80 North Water Street, Edgartown, MA 02539

Located in the heart of downtown Edgartown, this 8BR, 5BA is, according to the listing, "a superb example of the grand homes built by the New England Whaling Captains in the 1800's." The 8,400 sq. ft. spread is even decorated with period furnishings and artwork.

80 North Water Street, Edgartown, MA 02539

Captain Silas Jones House

5 Orange Street, Nantucket, MA 02554

Cue the Commodores: "the Captain Silas Jones House, built in 1772, and is the oldest completely brick home on Nantucket."

5 Orange Street, Nantucket, MA 02554