Amidst the quiet town of Leverett, Massachusetts, a grand estate formerly owned by Yankee Candle founder Michael Kittredge II has caught the attention of developers. Originally listed in 2022 by Kittredge’s son for $23 million, the estate has lingered on the market. Now, it’s poised for a transformation that could bring significant change to the region’s housing landscape.
The estate, sprawling across 120,000 square feet, offers a vast array of amenities. It includes a main house, clubhouse, spa, pool cabana, guest houses, and car barns. The main residence, of colonial design, was built in the 1980s and spans 25,000 square feet, complete with unique features such as 11 fireplaces and a 10-seat movie theater.
Despite its grandeur, the property’s market journey was challenging, culminating in a price reduction to $14.9 million. Enter Joshua Wallack, a Florida-based developer with a vision to transform the estate into ‘Pioneer Point at Juggler Meadow,’ a senior community that combines luxury with affordability. Wallack proposes a $200 million project that would integrate the estate’s offerings into a development addressing Massachusetts’ housing crisis.
Wallack’s vision is ambitious—he plans to convert the land into 400 homes for adults aged 55 and older. This community would retain the estate’s lavish amenities like the onsite restaurant, tennis and pickleball courts, and even the indoor water park. Importantly, 25% of homes would be offered at affordable rates, appealing to ‘regular people’ instead of solely affluent buyers.
In 2022, Wallack, who specializes in rezoning, collaborated closely with the Kittredge family. They explored alternatives to selling the mansion to a single wealthy individual. Inspired by this collaboration, Wallack’s plan would transform the mansion into a community centerpiece, serving as a social club for residents.
The estate’s appeal extends beyond housing; it features entertainment and recreational facilities including a two-story arcade and a spa featuring basketball and tennis courts. The indoor tennis court also doubles as a concert venue, having hosted bands such as The Doobie Brothers. Kittredge, an automobile enthusiast, ensured the estate housed temperature-controlled car barns.
The development team, led by Wallack, is in the final stages of preparing an application for MassHousing, seeking approval and community support for this innovative project. The project promises not only a new chapter for the estate but also a potential model for future residential communities in the state.
As the Kittredge estate stands on the brink of transformation, its journey reflects broader themes in real estate—balancing historical grandeur with future possibilities. Should the plans come to fruition, Pioneer Point at Juggler Meadow could become an exemplar of combining luxury living with community-oriented development.
Source: BusinessInsider
