Property Description 85 Orange Street, Nantucket, MA 02554
Perfectly situated on one of Nantucket's most beautiful and historic streets — the street where the island's sea Captains built their homes — this gracious Nantucket house, dating to 1834 and completely rebuilt from the frame in 2025, blends timeless character with modern comforts and thoughtful design. The Historic District Commission holds it a contributing historic resource within the National Historic Landmark district.
The home's front presents two doors, a detail rooted in its own history rather than a later conversion. On 31 March 1847, the Nantucket Inquirer recorded the stock of dry goods of Captain Joseph Congdon — master of the whale ships Pacific, Alpha, and James Loper — at this address. The plainer of the two doors was his shop's entrance, and it opens, as it always did, directly into the front room where the shop once stood — a rare and tangible link to Nantucket's whaling-era commerce still preserved within a private residence.
Spanning approximately 4,200 square feet across three finished floors, the spacious first floor offers an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area ideal for gathering and entertaining. A cozy family room provides additional space to relax, while a study with a wet bar opens onto a private bluestone patio, perfect for outdoor dining or quiet mornings. The first-floor ensuite bedroom offers flexibility for guests, and a well-appointed mudroom with laundry and a pantry adds everyday convenience.
Upstairs, the second floor features four bedrooms, including two ensuite bedrooms. The inviting primary suite boasts vaulted cathedral ceilings, a generous walk-in closet, and a large, spa-like bathroom. Two of the bedrooms share a Jack and Jill bath, while another bedroom is served by a hall bath. A bonus family room and a second-floor laundry add ease and functionality.
The finished third floor offers additional overflow sleeping space and access to the widow's walk, where sweeping views of Nantucket Harbor and the rooftops of the old town create a truly memorable setting.
This classic in-town residence combines refined interiors, modern amenities, and captivating outdoor spaces, all within easy reach — just four blocks — of Main Street and the island's finest dining, shopping, and beaches. A full provenance record, documenting the house's history and Captain Congdon's voyages from the federal whaling register, is available to prospective buyers.