Blue Heron Farm, Martha’s Vineyard estate often rented by Obamas, hits the market for $39 million

The sweeping Chilmark retreat features a 7,000-square-foot main house, a five-bedroom guest home, and acres of lush grounds.

Claire Thornton | May 6th, 2025, 6:33 PM

A sweeping estate on Martha’s Vineyard, where the Obama family vacationed during the former president’s first term, is hitting the market for $39 million, according to the agent for the property.

The Blue Heron Farm estate was last sold in 2011 to renowned British architect Norman Foster, and the Obamas rented the nearly 30-acre property for three summers before Foster’s purchase.

On Monday, Maggie Seelig of MGS Group Real Estate said the Chilmark property will be listed for $39 million, but did not share other details.

Blue Heron Farm will be listed for $39 million, the agent handling the listing confirmed.

Blue Heron Farm will be listed for $39 million, the agent handling the listing confirmed.Evan Joseph Studios
President Barack Obama, right, rides in a golf cart with NBA basketball player Ray Allen, left, while golfing Friday, Aug. 21, 2015, at Farm Neck Golf Club, in Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard.
President Barack Obama, right, rides in a golf cart with NBA basketball player Ray Allen, left, while golfing Friday, Aug. 21, 2015, at Farm Neck Golf Club, in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard.Steven Senne

The Wall Street Journal first reported the listing for Blue Heron Farm, which was last sold for $22.4 million to a limited company tied to Foster and his family, the outlet reported.

Located along Tisbury Great Pond, the opulent estate boasts a five-bedroom guesthouse, a boat house, and a horse barn transplanted from Pennsylvania, the Journal said.

A sitting room in the main house looks out at the estate's sweeping outdoor space.

A sitting room in the main house looks out at the estate’s sweeping outdoor space.Evan Joseph Studios
The Blue Heron Farm estate on Martha's Vineyard has a five-bedroom guesthouse.
The Blue Heron Farm estate on Martha’s Vineyard has a five-bedroom guesthouse. Evan Joseph Studios

The 7,000-square-foot main house opens out onto the property’s lawns and features a wraparound porch, a deck, and a sitting room with floor-to-ceiling windows, photos show.

Foster and his wife, Spanish art publisher Elena Foster, added a modern pool house with a generous covered patio area, the Journal reported.

The architect is known for designing projects around the world, including the London skyscraper known as “the Gherkin” and Manhattan‘s Hearst Tower. Elena Foster is CEO of Ivorypress, an art publishing house and curatorial company.

A spacious pool house was added by owner Norman Foster, the Wall Street Journal reported.

A spacious pool house was added by owner Norman Foster, the Wall Street Journal reported.Evan Joseph Studios
The Blue Heron Farm boathouse along Tisbury Great Pond.
The Blue Heron Farm boathouse along Tisbury Great Pond. Evan Joseph Studios

The estate has elements dating back to the 1800s and has historic farming roots, according to the Journal.

After Blue Heron Farm was purchased by the Fosters, the Obamas spent summer vacations elsewhere on the island, including at a waterfront estate in Edgartown they reportedly bought in 2019 from Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck.

The main home's formal dining room.

The main home’s formal dining room.Evan Joseph Studios
The main house has a wraparound porch looking out onto roughly 30 acres.
The main house has a wraparound porch looking out onto roughly 30 acres.Evan Joseph Studios
A spacious pool house was added by owner Norman Foster, the Wall Street Journal reported.
A spacious pool house was added by owner Norman Foster, the Wall Street Journal reported.Evan Joseph Studios
These Massachusetts maps show where median home prices have risen (and fallen) the most To retain its priced-out workers, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital is spending $38 million to build apartments

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