Nantucket Beach House Demolished After Severe Erosion
$2.1 Million Home Razed to the Ground
A Nantucket beach house was demolished on Thursday, October 20, 2023, after severe erosion on the island’s south shore prompted an emergency condemnation order from the town.
The $2.1 million beach house on Sheep Pond Road was razed to the ground by a giant excavator as the sun was rising over Nantucket’s shore.
The house was seen quickly crumbling down onto the sand.
Homeowners Owned Property for Nearly 30 Years
George and Marie Frazza, 89 and 87, had owned the home for almost 30 years.
They bought it in 1995 for $557,500. The house was 2,300 square feet with four bedrooms and three bathrooms.
It sat right on the coast of Nantucket’s shore – surrounded by sand.
Erosion Swallows 35 Feet of Dune
The demolition came after erosion fully exposed the house to surf after 35 feet of the dune got swallowed by waves in July 2023.
The town’s coastal resources technician, Morgan Sayle, inspected the property on June 30th and found that 35 feet of dune had been lost since it was last measured in November 2022.
Neighbor’s House Now Has Direct Ocean View
The house behind the Frazza’s family beach house – 22 Sheep Pond Road – now has a direct ocean view.
The neighbor’s house had sold in December 2022 for $2.3 million.
Erosion a Growing Problem on Nantucket
Multiple other beach houses on Nantucket have been victims of erosion.
In 2010, after 15 years of fighting, Gene Ratner lost his home because of the ‘high winds and pounding surf’ of Hurricane Earl.
Massachusetts Beach Homes Get More Expensive Despite Erosion Risks
Houses on Massachusetts’s highly sought after vacation spot get more expensive every year – despite erosion risks.
In July, a gorgeous Nantucket estate became the most expensive home sold in Massachusetts history after selling for over $38million.