A Unique Opportunity on Nantucket
A remarkable property on the picturesque island of Nantucket is currently available for free, but with a unique catch. The $3 million mansion, located at 140 Surfside Road, is part of the island’s Demolition Delay Bylaw program. This initiative encourages the relocation of homes rather than their demolition, helping to preserve the island’s historic charm and reduce waste.
Nantucket, often referred to as “Billionaires’ Island,” has a long-standing tradition of relocating older homes. Shelley Lockwood, a local real estate agent, explained that this practice helps prevent older homes from ending up in landfills. Prospective buyers must be prepared to move the home to a new location within 180 days of the sale.
The Surfside listing was purchased last December by Dean Lampe for $3 million. He is now seeking to get rid of the home for free, but will still own the land. Lampe has been involved in several real estate dealings on the island. In April, it was reported that he sold a sprawling $5.4 million mansion on 13 Aurora Way, which is about a 10-minute drive from the Surfside property.
In 2023, Lampe also purchased a seven-bedroom house next door for $8 million. The current listing, 140 Surfside, is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home covering over 1,736 square feet. It was built in 1994 and features a sprawling elevated front deck and a second rooftop deck, offering stunning views regardless of where the home ends up.
While the idea of moving a home may seem unusual, it has become a common practice on Nantucket due to the high costs associated with living on the island. The median sale price in Nantucket is over $3 million, which is 142 percent higher than the national average, according to Zillow.
Since the implementation of the Demolition Delay Bylaw program, permit requests to relocate homes have increased significantly. According to Blue Dot Living, there were 163 relocations to Nantucket in 2022 and 2023. House transfers must be completed between September 15 and June 15, before the busy summer season begins.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the listing’s realtor for further information. This unique opportunity highlights the evolving real estate landscape on Nantucket and the creative solutions being used to maintain the island’s character while addressing modern challenges.
