Chadwick Inn readied for new life

By Susan Vaughn - September 13, 2007

The Chadwick Inn, a sprawling 1840 Greek Revival building on a large parcel on Winter Street in Edgartown, had fallen into disrepair before it was sold more than a year ago. The old inn may have a new life in the near future, judging by some exterior painting and repair work currently under way, but the new owners say they have no specific long-range plans for the property.

Pease’s Point Holding Company bought the property from Peter Antioco and Jurate Antioco in July 2006 for a total of $3.85 million, according to deeds filed in the Dukes County Registry of Deeds. Gerret C. Conover, a principal in the holding company, said Monday the property is being fixed up to accommodate offices for the planned Boathouse Club. Mr. Conover is a principal in the Boathouse Club, along with Tom LeClair and a group of investors, who are currently developing the space for the private club in the former Navigator restaurant, as well as the new Field Club in Katama. The Navigator, which has been renamed the Boathouse, has been closed this summer for the renovations. It will include a public restaurant, retail shops, and the private club, and is expected to reopen sometime next year.

The Chadwick Inn was still operating until Mr. Conover bought it, which, he said, "was horrendous for guests” because the place was in such poor condition. He said he and his partners have "a couple of ideas” for the property, which also fronts on Pease’s Point Way and Simpson Lane, but they don’t have any specific plans.

"It’s a great property,” he said. "We want to come up with acreage use whether for the club or not.” He added that he and his partners are putting their energy into the Boathouse Club.

When the new owners have a solid plan for the Chadwick Inn property, Mr. Conover said they will talk to the neighbors first, and will probably go through the District of Regional Impact (DRI) process with the Martha’s Vineyard Commission since the inn previously had to go through that process. The property is in the Edgartown Historic District.

Despite its closing, The Chadwick Inn is still listed in several online travel, hotel, and bed and breakfast guides. It is variously described as a having 22 or 25 rooms with a main manor house decorated with romantic, antique furnishings. Room rates ranged from $69 to $399 per night.

Peter Antioco bought the inn property in March 1998 for $1.5 million, according to the deed filed with the registry of deeds. A tax lien was filed on the property in 2003, and released before the property was sold.

Peter Antioco and Jurate Antioco were each paid $1,925,000 for the property, according to the deeds.

Mr. Conover and Mr. LeClair also had an option last spring to buy the former Shiretown Inn property on Simpson Lane, and proposed selling part of it to the town for $3 million for use as a public parking lot and holding space for vehicles going to Chappaquiddick. That purchase agreement expired, and the proposal was dropped.