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10 Architecturally Awesome Rentals on the Cape & Islands

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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."

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.

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).

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."

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

Newcomb Tavern

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."

Boathouse on Quissett Harbor

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.

Eastham Architectural

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).

Hatch Cottage

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."

Lilly Saarinen House

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."

Kugel/Gips House

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.

The Boathouse at Labrador Landing

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

Gingerbread Cottages

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.

Captain Morse House

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.

Captain Silas Jones House

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