Michael Kittredge, the co-founder of the Yankee Candle Company, passed away in 2019. His former estate, a Leverett, MA compound on more than 60 acres of land, was recently listed by his family for $23 million.
Kittredge developed a passion for candlemaking as a child and began selling homemade candles to his friends and neighbors. In 1969, he founded Yankee Candle Company with two of his high school friends. It was a massive success, and Kittredge sold his business for $400 million in 1998.
Instead of using his money to buy a mansion in New York or Los Angeles, Kittredge constructed his dream home in western Massachusetts, where he grew up. His estate, which his family refers to as “Juggler Meadow,” includes eight structures in total, with close to 120,000 square feet of recreation and living space.
All photos are used with permission from TopTenRealEstateDeals.com
The main house, which spans more than 25,000 square feet, was originally a modest three-bedroom colonial home. Kittredge expanded the property and made numerous renovations, transforming it into a five-bedroom estate with six full bathrooms and five half bathrooms. It also has two kitchens, which are both equipped with professional-grade appliances.
In the primary bedroom, you’ll find plush carpeted floors and a private balcony with beautiful views of the grounds. When you step into the primary bathroom, you’ll find a massive tub that’s designed to look like a Roman bath. Every bedroom has its own bathroom, and many rooms have fireplaces, with a total of 11 fireplaces spread across both floors.
Some of the other features in the main house include a double staircase at the entryway, a spacious wine grotto, and a glass-walled office that’s filled with natural light. There’s also an elegant private dining room, a solarium, and a 12-seat home theater. You can find built-ins throughout the home.
When you step out onto the grounds, you’ll find even more structures, including multiple guest homes and private quarters for staff. In total, the estate has 16 bedrooms. In addition to housing, the estate has countless entertainment options, including a nine-hole golf course, a spacious pool, and three full-sized tennis courts.
One of the highlights of the property is the spa complex, which covers more than 55,000 square feet. It has everything you could want from a spa, including multiple saunas and gyms, and a steam room. This is also where you’ll find the property’s indoor water park, which was inspired by the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas.
The park is consistently kept at 89 degrees, which means it can be enjoyed during cold Massachusetts winters! In addition to pools and water slides, the park is filled with palm trees. When you step inside, you’ll feel like you’ve wandered into a tropical paradise. The water park also has its own private dining room, complete with a pool menu.
Another standout feature of the property is the outdoor stage, which covers nearly 4000 square feet. Many famous artists have played shows here, including KC and The Sunshine Band, Hall & Oates, and The Doobie Brothers. According to Kittredge’s family members, they’ve hosted parties for as many as 400 guests.
In addition to these amenities, the property has a bowling alley with three lanes and a two-story arcade stocked with games, slots, and pinball machines. There are also two massive garages, which provide ample space for luxury vehicles.
The listing is held by Johnny Hatem Jr. of The Sarkis Team at Douglas Elliman.
Photos courtesy Douglas Elliman.
Source: www.elliman.com
