In August, Cable network HGTV revealed the Vineyard as its location for the 19th annual Dream Home giveaway and sweepstakes. The grand Cape Cod-style home in Katama was completed last month, and a drawing for the home will be held in May 2015.
On a recent misty morning, Island architect Patrick Ahearn and contractor Tim McHugh stood talking on a freshly manicured lawn in front of a brand new home on Crocker Drive. They were not alone.
Dan Martino and Greg Martino, who run the local production company Martha’s Vineyard Productions, were there. David Welch, an Island photographer, was also on hand, as well as Beth Kurtz and Matt Muenster from the cable network, Home & Garden Television.
Normally Mr. Ahearn and Mr. McHugh wouldn’t be surrounded by such a large group at the completion of a project, but the house on Crocker Drive at the Field Club in Katama is the location of the 2015 HGTV Dream Home.
The cable network revealed the Vineyard as its location for the 19th annual Dream Home giveaway and sweepstakes in August, naming Mr. Ahearn as the home’s architect and Mr. McHugh as the contractor. Building began five months ago, Mr. Ahearn told the Gazette, and a grand Cape Cod-style home was completed last month.
This week, a Donaroma’s Nursery landscaping crew arrived to lay down sod and grass sprigs. On Tuesday morning, while a light rain drizzled down, landscapers roamed the property, some watering shrubs, others clipping plants in window boxes.
The Dream Home features three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, and a large gourmet kitchen with two stove chimneys. It also has a matching custom-built doggy dream home, too.
The interior hasn’t been completed yet. If all goes according to the HGTV schedule, Linda Woodrum, the official designer for HGTV Dream Homes, will furnish the entire home by the end of the month.
This is the first HGTV Dream Home built in Massachusetts. Between Dec. 29, 2014 and Feb. 17, 2015, people can enter up to twice a day either online or by mail for a chance to win the home. Entries will be selected at random and then organized into batches and assigned numbers that get printed on ping-pong balls. In May 2015, one ball will be randomly drawn to name the winner. Last year the sweepstakes had 72,427,440 entries.
When HGTV came to the Island to check out some potential plots of land to build on, Mr. Ahearn knew the Field Club would be a winner.
“HGTV was really trying to create a home that would have that romantic appeal in the broad market reach for their sweepstakes and tell the story of Martha’s Vineyard in a really nice way,” Mr. Ahearn said. “In the early days when people lived in Edgartown, they would go out to the Katama plains and guys would build little cottages or shacks and go out to fish, go out to hunt, and that, from a historical point of view, is the story of how this HGTV house began.”
The home has three cottage pieces broken into three components, all of which are connected, giving the feel that “there was one cottage and then over time and over the years two other cottages were then built on the property.” Mr. Ahearn said his hope was to give people passing by the illusion that the home had been on the Island for a long time.
HGTV has contracted many local companies for the project. Martha’s Vineyard Productions was hired to produce three one-hour episodes, which are scheduled to air early next year. The local production company has also been documenting the development of the Dream Home and will continue to film until Dec. 2. Air dates will be posted on the HGTV website closer to the start of the new year.
In the meantime, special clips will be posted on the HGTV website with blog posts that include photographs by Island photographer Jocelyn Filley.
And come May, the winner will walk away with more than the house. The grand prize also includes a car and a yearlong membership to the Field Club.

Comments
This was not the first Dream
Pat N PlymouthThis was not the first Dream home in Massachusetts. There was one in Plymouth, MA, just a few years ago.
that is true.plymouth was a
dennisthat is true.plymouth was a couple years ago,it is the first for the island
I would love to win... I
Vicki mottern TennesseeI would love to win... I have dreamed of going to the Vineyard. I love the cottage feels much. I try to make my home look like a cottage. I am always looking in magazines to fine how to decorate.
what's with the big sand pit
jon doe cape codwhat's with the big sand pit behind the house on google earth?
Looks like it is where the
brLooks like it is where the Field Club and all the amenities are located.
The sand pit picture is an earlier view. The newer view shows all the buildings and pool, etc.
Is this were 15 Crocker Dr. is?
The one in Plymouth was a
Mary Jane Wells, MaineThe one in Plymouth was a "green home." Environmentally friendly. They give away three homes now - Dream Home, Green Home, and Urban Oasis.
Don't forget the smart home !
Bianca Savannah GeorgiaDon't forget the smart home !
just a beautiful house . I
Brenda Canha Osk Bluffs on Martha's. Vineyardjust a beautiful house . I would love to win the house so much love Katama and Edgartown grew up here and we ( my. Husband and I )
We're born and raised our children here . 3 gerneration ? We have a business on the island .. Lovely place to live and I would love to own a house like that.. I will enter when the time come to do so.. Just beautiful !!❤️❤️
I am love to rise my grandkid
Nancy richert flI am love to rise my grandkid all together
We would love to have a house
David Wish I was on MVWe would love to have a house on the vineyard! Probably could only afford the dog house on this property though.
Your right this house would
Nancy Bates Oneonta NYYour right this house would be a dream come true for me and my new husband ( 71) . We'd think we d gone to heavan to win . But what type of annual income does the person have to have to keep the house that's the question.
So is the Dream really for everyone , or sadly for people that have everything already.
born and raised on marthas
roberta kinnecom evans mashpee massborn and raised on marthas vineyard island...five generations were alive till my grandmother passed at 102 would love a home there....awesome...love it
With 20 years of moving, 17
Linda EdgartownWith 20 years of moving, 17 here on the island, I will definitely enter.
This house is beautiful would
Diane Brescia pleasant valley new YorkThis house is beautiful would love to win so I could have place to call home for my family.
Some one is going to be VERY
Jan Rousseau Pelham NHSome one is going to be VERY fortunate to live in this home!!
Having spent over 30 summers
Nancy IrvingtonHaving spent over 30 summers renting the same house we love on the Vineyard, we would LOVE to win an actual home of our own!
Lady is your daughter's place
JoyLady is your daughter's place no longer good enough? Just kidding mom.
oh wow I was born in oak
yvonne benton rochester, maoh wow I was born in oak bluffs and so was my father I left the island in 1974 and always wished I had a little house or piece of land but not in my wildness did I ever dream this big
What are the yearly taxes???
Luanne Simon Oak BluffsWhat are the yearly taxes??? Could anyone actually afford to live in it?
Never mind yearly taxes, you
Tamara Lerner VHNever mind yearly taxes, you will need to pay income tax on the house if you do win it!
I think Quicken loans foots
KevO CLifton Park NYI think Quicken loans foots 250K to cover the taxes.......
I looked it up and its about
Mary ArizonaI looked it up and its about (I am estimating) $2,000 based on the land value of $550,000 but the tax will be much higher at first until another tax assessment is done because most likely the county will use the appraised value- They do that from time to time. My concern would be insuring the home because its surrounded by water, plus the cost of a alarm/care-taker/utilities for seasonal owners. You cant leave a home like that unattended all winter. I could see that costing well over $5000 a year.
It looks absolutely lovely.
Jennifer Fisher CaliforniaIt looks absolutely lovely. I have many ancestors who lived in Edgartown. I would be delighted to win a house in this fabulous place. Must enter sweepstakes!
Hi Jennifer, Who were your
madeline fisherHi Jennifer, Who were your Edgartown ancestors?
I really want to move back
Jeanne Gravley Viera, FLI really want to move back home and this is the only way I could.
People forget that they need
Tamara Lerner VHPeople forget that they need to pay income tax on the house they win. Depending on the value of the house the taxes might be substantial ...
The $250,000 you'll win with
Chris M Athens, ALThe $250,000 you'll win with the dream home will pay the taxes.
$250K won't cover $2 million.
Kent Tegeler Liberty, MO$250K won't cover $2 million.
250,000 will cover sales tax
Bud Missouri250,000 will cover sales tax of 13% on 2,000,000. I'm not sure what the tax would be in edgartown.
The home's appraised value
Linda Lubbers Las VegasThe home's appraised value will be part of your Federal Income Tax. Winning this home will place you in the highest federal tax bracket. I highly doubt that the cash will pay the taxes owed. Not sure what Bud is talking about regarding sales tax. While local taxes vary state to state, there could also be state taxes due as well. In addition, many also have real estate transfer tax. If you win, best advice is to make sure you have an experienced accountant and legal counsel with you when you go to pick up the keys! Pretty sure 98% of the population will have to sell this baby or it will surely bankrupt them!
I am on it...will be signing
Sandi OBI am on it...will be signing up 2x daily!
My dream
jo-AnnMy dream
Left the island in 2000. Miss
Robert Marchant New Bedford, Ma.Left the island in 2000. Miss it. Family goes back into the late 1800's . Would love to move back. Just might enter. Ya never know!
For those missing the island
~W.W.W~ Still HereFor those missing the island who were born here and have left for whatever reason, who's families go back generations like mine - don't feel to bad as it is NOT the same Martha's Vineyard as when we grew up here (Bobby Marchant who was my buddy and classmate growing up in Edgartown )....
The Super Rich, L.W Liberals, Crime and Drugs have totally taken over our island never mind the island newspapers who censor comments according to their party (D).
This house is on Crocker Drive at the "Field Club at Katama" not Ocean Heights in Edgartown!! ((Google it))
*** I just bet a $10.00 scratch off lottery ticket that this comment wont appear here. If you see that they did posted it I Happily lost my bet***......
Ican't seem to find the entry
Aris DeNigris 30 Columbia Circle Drive-Apt. 356-Albany, NY 12203Ican't seem to find the entry page for the Martha''s Vineyard Sweepstakes.
Help! [email protected]
Good luck everyone
Wow VHGood luck everyone
What wonderful publicity for
Ellie EdgartownWhat wonderful publicity for the island! I hope it works out for whomever wins. Does the prize include the land the house sits on? Are there hidden annual expenses such as land lease or HOA fees?
A US citizen is statistically more likely to win an academy award or be struck by lightening that to win this house.
The taxes on the house will
Tamara Lerner VHThe taxes on the house will need to be paid ahead of time before the house is actually handed over. So some people either take mortgage on the house to cover the taxes or they sell their primary residence to pull money out and pay the taxes. This has to be considered beforehand ... A lot of people end up selling the houses they win because they can't afford paying taxes that are due ...
Just celebrated my 10 year
lacey rochester,NYJust celebrated my 10 year anniversary there and would love to win this house just amazing..
I have vacationed on the
Cynthia Bloomfield,CTI have vacationed on the Vineyard for years and always wanted to live there. When the time comes I was going to ask a friends brother who lives on the island to build me an unusual ranch home modest size but if I won this home I not only come bring my family but extended family as well a dream on my bucket list fulfilled. I love the Vineyard. Warm wishes to everyone!
I have never been to Martha's
Judy CaliforniaI have never been to Martha's Vineyard, but I am very excited to have a home here.
My Heart Belongs to
Anna VirginiaMy Heart Belongs to Massachusetts!! Born & Raised on the Gateway to Cape Cod! Many fond Memories on Wareham Tennis Team & playing the MV Team! We visited often during the Summer with our Children! They also Love Martha's Vineyard!! MV Memories Live Eternal in Our Hearts!!
I saw this house this summer.
Meghan Fayetteville, NYI saw this house this summer. My husbands family has owned property on this road since the 60's. I will be entering daily!!
What do you think of the home
Judy StlWhat do you think of the home and neighborhood?
Does anyone know if house
Joyce FairhavenDoes anyone know if house will be open for public tours?
I heard they are not allowing
Judy StlI heard they are not allowing a public tour for this year. Not sure why.
we vacationed on the island
EGConway Sarasota Floridawe vacationed on the island every year since I was 5. My parents owned a small vacation home in Vineyard Haven from '78-'83; and then they lived there from '93-2004 after my father first retired. I have always wanted a home of my own on the island. Plus, since I have always been called by my second name Gay, I feel it fitting for me to live there. This home would be a perfect multi-generational home for my parents, my children and grandchildren, siblings and nieces and nephews!!!
I would love to win this home
Lexi Skaneateles, NYI would love to win this home! I spent most of my childhood spending summers and holidays with my aunt and cousins who lived there. I have the best memories of what this island has to offer.
Love MV! We have spent many
Jill, Boston MA BostonLove MV! We have spent many vacations, weekend getaways, we even got married there 16 years ago etc...the Vineyard is a very special place to us. Just curious, does anyone know how many online entries the past HGTV winners entered re: houses? Wonder what the odds are?
Unfortunately, it will take
Kim B Brookside, NJUnfortunately, it will take at least $800,000 to pay off the capital gains and sales tax on this home and gifts.
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