There’s a certain magic to Martha’s Vineyard that escapes the lens of Instagram and the pages of glossy magazines. It’s not just the sweeping Atlantic vistas, the salt air, or the rhythm of the tide—it’s the feeling that time slows down here. And nestled on the secluded peninsula of Hines Point, a historic $7.3 million estate known as Lily Hill captures this timeless spirit like few others.
From the moment you turn down the quiet, tree-lined road that leads to this exclusive point of land, you feel it: this isn’t just another summer home. This is heritage. This is identity. This is the kind of place where generations gather barefoot on wide porches, where sandy footprints are welcomed on the polished floorboards, and where the rising sun greets sailboats that glide through morning mist like something out of a Turner painting.
Lily Hill, built in 1951, is no ordinary waterfront property. With 130 feet of private, soft-sand beach and a deep-water dock extending into Lagoon Pond, it offers a rare blend of New England authenticity and modern luxury. It's a slice of the Vineyard that feels untouched by the frenzy of the outside world—yet it's only minutes from the island’s charming town centers.
As the real estate market for waterfront estates continues to heat up, especially in legacy locations like Martha’s Vineyard, properties like Lily Hill are commanding premium attention. High-net-worth buyers from Boston, New York, and beyond are looking not just for an ocean-view asset—they’re seeking a lifestyle investment, a private haven that speaks to both pedigree and peace. And that’s precisely what this home delivers.
What makes Lily Hill extraordinary isn’t just its size or waterfront access—it’s the balance it strikes between sophistication and simplicity. Its stone-and-shingle façade exudes an old-world elegance that feels entirely at home on the Vineyard, while inside, you’ll find light-filled rooms framed by wood-beamed ceilings, original fireplaces, and walls of windows that frame the ever-changing water like living art. The craftsmanship is understated but meticulous, from the wide-plank oak floors to the hand-carved banisters that feel worn by decades of summer laughter and rainy-day stories.
The heart of the home, a warm and welcoming kitchen, opens up to a family room with panoramic views of the lagoon. Here, the breeze carries in the scent of salt and pine, and it’s not uncommon to catch sight of ospreys diving for fish in the shallows. Meals are shared at a long farmhouse table beneath vintage lanterns, with fresh clams on the grill and chilled rosé in the ice bucket. It’s the kind of scene that draws buyers who aren’t just investing in real estate—they’re buying into a way of life.
It’s no surprise that affluent buyers are increasingly drawn to legacy coastal homes like this one. In a world where modern luxury is often defined by square footage and automation, Lily Hill stands as a quiet rebuke to excess. It doesn’t need marble-clad foyers or smart-home controls to impress. Instead, its value lies in its story, its permanence, and its intimate connection to the land and sea.
The estate sprawls across nearly an acre of gently sloping lawn, dotted with native grasses and shade trees. It’s a place designed for barefoot exploration and quiet reflection. Children build castles in the sand while adults lounge with books under striped umbrellas. The dock, sturdy and well-maintained, is a rare feature on the island and ideal for a small sailboat or tender. Boating is central to the rhythm of life here, whether it’s an early-morning paddle around the pond or a sunset cruise past the oyster farms.
The Lagoon Pond itself, calm and protected, is one of Martha’s Vineyard’s most coveted locations for water access. It’s ideal for novice sailors and seasoned yachtsmen alike, and the proximity to the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club is a clear nod to the home’s sailing heritage. For many buyers, proximity to such exclusive recreational opportunities adds a significant lifestyle premium.
While the house exudes the quiet dignity of an old-money estate, its amenities are comfortably modern. A recently updated HVAC system, new energy-efficient windows, and a refreshed kitchen ensure that the home functions seamlessly year-round. It’s a rare marriage of form and function, beauty and practicality—something that seasoned luxury real estate investors deeply appreciate.
What truly sets this home apart, however, is the intimacy of the location. Hines Point is not a place you stumble upon; it’s a destination known primarily to locals and long-time summer residents. The road leading to Lily Hill winds past only a handful of other properties, all set back on generous parcels with wide water views. It’s the kind of place where neighbors wave from porch swings, where families return year after year to the same beach chairs and picnic spots. In a market increasingly dominated by short-term rentals and speculative purchases, Lily Hill represents continuity.
The Vineyard has always attracted a certain kind of buyer—discerning, values-driven, more interested in legacy than flash. And with global wealth continuing to surge, especially in the U.S. and Western Europe, the appetite for high-value second homes in heritage destinations like Martha’s Vineyard is stronger than ever. Waterfront real estate here has seen a remarkable uptick in appreciation over the past decade, driven by limited inventory and sustained demand from luxury buyers who see this island as more than just a summer destination—it’s an anchor, a symbol of permanence in a shifting world.
There’s something deeply comforting about the traditions held here. On a typical morning, you might see a grandfather teaching his grandson how to cast a line off the dock, or a barefoot woman in linen walking her dog as the fog lifts over the pond. These aren’t curated moments for social media—they’re just how life flows here.
Of course, this level of lifestyle doesn't come without investment. The $7.3 million asking price reflects not just the property itself but the scarcity of offerings in this enclave. Homes with private beaches and deep-water docks are almost never available, and when they do surface, they’re quickly claimed by families looking to write their next chapter in Vineyard history.
Luxury real estate agents familiar with the Vineyard emphasize the emotional weight that homes like Lily Hill carry. “You're not just buying square footage,” one longtime broker notes. “You're stepping into decades of memories, of family traditions and island rhythms. That’s what makes a property like this so special—it lives beyond the transaction.”
The home’s sellers, who have owned Lily Hill for nearly three decades, describe it as “the heartbeat of our summers.” They recall oyster feasts under the stars, sailing races that ended at their dock, and grandchildren splashing in the shallows with watermelon-sticky fingers. It’s a place where time layered itself slowly, like salt on the windowpanes and stories in the walls.
Now, as they prepare to pass the keys to the next stewards, they hope that the future owners will feel the same pull they once did—a quiet certainty that this isn’t just a house. It’s a home in the deepest sense of the word.
As the sun begins to set on Lagoon Pond, painting the sky in hues of lavender and peach, Lily Hill glows with the kind of understated grandeur that can’t be manufactured. A golden retriever lopes across the lawn, chasing gulls. A wooden rowboat drifts lazily at the dock. And inside, laughter rises from the kitchen where generations have gathered, and will gather again.
In a world that moves faster each day, places like this matter more than ever. Not just for what they are—but for how they make you feel. That, after all, is the rarest kind of luxury.🏡🌊✨