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Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty takes a look at dynastic retreat in New Jersey – perfect for a small presidential library.

The Kennedy clan’s real centre of business and its family playground was at Hyannis Port, a six acre waterfront compound on Cape Cod along Nantucket Sound in Massachusetts. It was bought by Joseph Kennedy Snr and was used by his son, John F Kennedy, as a base for his successful 1960 US Presidential campaign, and later as a retreat from Washington.

So I was surprised and delighted to visit another Kennedy home in a different state. This one is in the Curtis Point community of Mantoloking, New Jersey. It was owned and occupied by John F Kennedy’s niece, Mrs Wynne, prior to the current residents buying it 13 years ago.

Nestled at the tip of Curtis Point with 131 feet of deep water frontage with dock, this bay front house has sweeping panoramic water views.

Although very different from Hyannis Point, 230 Squan Beach Drive has echoes of the old compound. It is a waterfront escape combining style, elegance, functionality and practical life style.  There are landscaped gardens, an expansive stone patio/terrace and a bay front heated pool. A private ocean beach and tennis courts are just steps away.

Inside is over 5000 square feet of living space. The open floorplan includes a dramatic two-storey entrance hall with grand staircase, spacious sunken living room, formal dining room, and a rather presidential library/study – although not perhaps quite large enough to house all the books written about the previous owner’s Uncle Jack.