Nestled in a quiet, residential neighbourhood in Leverett, Massachusetts, this sprawling estate seems more akin to a resort than a family home. However, the extensive property was once the private residence of Michael Kittredge, founder of the luxury home fragrance brand Yankee Candle, who lived there until his passing in 2019. Three years on, his family has decided to part with the estate, a 60-acre portion of which has just hit the market for $23 million (£19.9 million).

Michael Kittredge began his career as a teenager in the 1960s, making scented candles out of melted crayons in his parents’ garage, and selling them to friends and neighbours. Within a few years, such was the success of his products, Kittredge had opened his first store front in South Hadley, Massachusetts, and in a few years more, the franchise of sweet-scented candles had spread to malls across America.

In 1984, Kittredge began accruing land parcels in Western Massachusetts, about 95 miles west of Boston, ultimately creating a combined lot of over 100 acres. However, the candle tycoon did not amass his millions until 1998, when he sold 90% of his company to a New York private equity outfit for half a billion dollars, and it was at this point that he began developing his property into the resort-style retreat it is today.

Today, the property consists of eight structures in all, including the main residence, two guest houses, two car barns, a clubhouse, a pool cabana, and an enormous recreation hall which houses an indoor pool and arcade. The result is 120,000 square feet of living space, with a total of 16 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, and 12 half-baths – a complex of truly unparalleled proportions.

At the property’s core is a renovated 25,000-square-foot Colonial-style main house comprised of six bedrooms, six bathrooms, five half-baths, four dining rooms, and 11 fireplaces. At the home’s centre, a triple-height great room boasts spectacular arched windows, two-tiered columns, and a second-storey library. Warm hardwood flooring gives the space a cosy cast, while the white walls and ceiling increase the sense of space and light.

With five islands and seven sinks, this spectacular kitchen is equipped with state-of-the-art appliances, including a dishwasher with a 60-second cycle, primed for an elite team of chefs or perfect for experimenting with homemade candle recipes. The warm hardwood flooring continues into the kitchen, and is mirrored in both the window frames and the exposed beams of the cathedral ceiling above, while the sage green cabinetry coordinates perfectly with the green marble of the backsplash and numerous sinks.

In addition to the main kitchen, the basement boasts another commercial-grade catering kitchen, while the property’s original kitchen now serves as a butler’s pantry connecting to one of the house’s many dining rooms. With brick flooring and floor-to-ceiling windows, this semi-circular space feels almost like a conservatory but serves as one of the home’s more relaxed dining spaces.

In truly presidential fashion, the house also boasts a large oval office suitable for managing a candle empire, with a circular fresco in the centre of the ceiling, and large panoramic windows showcasing the greenery outside. More relaxed spaces in the main home include a pine-panelled family room, a billiard lounge, and even a room dedicated to the family dogs.

In addition to the numerous kitchen, dining, and living spaces available in the main house, there is also a separate homeowner's apartment with its own kitchenette and private balcony - the perfect retreat when hosting large groups of guests.

The lower level of the home includes two grotto-like wine cellars which look straight out of an Italian villa. Kittredge was reported to have spent $20,000 on a single bottle of wine! There are also two dining rooms, a music room, a recording studio, and a ten-seat home theatre.

Perhaps the most exciting piece of the property is the enormous indoor waterpark. Inspired by the Bellagio in Las Vegas, the waterpark features a lagoon-style swimming pool, a ceiling painted to look like a balmy blue sky, and multiple palm trees, grottos, slides, and waterfalls to create the perfect exotic escape in the comfort of your own home.

The property includes not one, not two, but four tennis courts, including this massive indoor court which also serves as a bar, lounge, and concert venue. With a large stone fireplace and comfortable leather sofas on one side and a 25-foot-long oak bar on the other, the room is perfectly engineered for a bit of relaxation between rallies. Overlooking the playing area, there's a stage with professional-grade lighting and sound systems, which has played host to The Doobie Brothers, Hall & Oates and KC and The Sunshine Band, according to Dirt.

Elsewhere on the property, a second smaller gym serves as a fitness centre and small indoor basketball court, while other recreational facilities include a nine-hole golf course, indoor pool, outdoor pool, and the aforementioned outdoor tennis courts. 

Golf carts provide easy access between all buildings and amenities and increase the feeling that this is not a private residence, but rather a luxury country club. For those seeking a slightly more relaxed form of exercise, the compound also boasts a three-lane bowling alley, dubbed Meadow Lanes. 

The large clubhouse is home to a 4,000-square-foot fitness centre, which includes its own locker rooms, treatment rooms, and a full kitchen. This building also boasts a two-storey arcade, which is well equipped with video games, pinball machines, and carnival-style games. Kittredge’s son, Michael “Mick” Kittredge III, told the Wall Street Journal that growing up in such a space was “like having Disneyland in the backyard.”

A more ‘adult’ version of Disneyland, the two temperature-controlled car barns include a mechanic’s bay, as well as an area for washing and detailing, and can hold up to 80 vehicles in total. The real estate agent at Douglas Elliman representing the sale, Johnny Hatem Jr said that these facilities make the property an ideal acquisition for a motor enthusiast or collector.

The clubhouse’s upstairs includes four bedrooms and two bathrooms, all with stunning views of the T-shaped swimming pool below. Just across the way, two pool cabanas offer a fully equipped kitchen and bar respectively, as well as extensive poolside lounging and dining areas perfect for summer entertaining, or private family enjoyment.

With such extensive recreational facilities in addition to the more standard (though still luxurious) living spaces, it is no surprise that the property is being marketed as a potential corporate employee retreat, wellness resort, or even a large ‘glamping’ site. Hatem also said that he has been in touch with the five nearby colleges to see if the property might be of interest for campus expansion. Only time will tell what lies ahead for this Yankee Candle-funded country idyll.

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