A Chatham Home with an “Aerie” Appeal

Perched atop a knoll at the end of a peninsula, this magnificent property has the feel of a regal birds nest.

Everything about this home’s location in North Chatham is  truly exceptional: its waterfront site in a highly desirable neighborhood, a surprisingly large lot within a well-established area, and now an exquisite house surrounded by a thoughtfully designed and expertly constructed landscape.

It was the exceptional location, high up on a knoll, surrounded by Pleasant Bay and abutting wetlands, that necessitated the inclusion of a retaining wall that is more than 13 feet tall. Atop the retaining wall, which is faced with stone veneer, is the showpiece of this Cape Cod landscaping project – an oversized terrace with a swimming pool, space for dining, and several areas for lounging, some of which are screened in. Then, just a few steps down, in a private location, is a large spa. Set on the grass on the east-facing side of the house is another sitting area with a firepit and an outdoor kitchen. On the opposite side is another terrace, this one at ground level.

Our clients wanted their outdoor living space to be at the same level as the primary living areas inside the home, rather than at the much lower level of the waterfront land, both to capture the stunning view and to facilitate access to the area.

The vast disparity between ground level and the main living space was the driving force in designing and constructing the hardscape walls. Another was the presence of the adjacent wetlands. The only way to meet setback guidelines while housing the extensive pool equipment was to build a vault underneath the terrace.

The creativity, expertise and attention to detail of the many building and landscaping professionals working on the project are what allowed our clients’ vision to be fulfilled.