The $3 Million Pool Project: 7 Shocking Secrets Inside Martha Stewart's Historic Maine Estate, Skylands
Martha Stewart's Maine estate, known as Skylands, is more than just a summer home; it is a living piece of American design history, and as of late December 2025, it continues to be the epicenter of her most ambitious and sometimes controversial projects. The property, which Martha Stewart herself calls her "favorite place," has been a constant source of inspiration and renovation, most recently involving a massive $3 million land acquisition and a significant new construction project that has captured the attention of the design world.
The iconic lifestyle mogul ensures that every corner of the vast property reflects her deeply personal and impeccable style, while still honoring the estate's storied past. From its original architecture to its constantly evolving gardens, Skylands remains the ultimate embodiment of the Martha Stewart aesthetic: grand, historic, and perfectly maintained.
Martha Stewart: A Brief Biography and Her Connection to Skylands
Martha Helen Stewart (née Kostyra) is an American retail business woman, writer, and television personality, born on August 3, 1941, in Jersey City, New Jersey.
- Full Name: Martha Helen Stewart (née Kostyra)
- Born: August 3, 1941, in Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
- Childhood: Raised in Nutley, New Jersey, the second of six children in a Polish-Catholic family.
- Spouse: Andrew Stewart (married 1961, divorced 1990).
- Child: Alexis Stewart.
- Career Highlights: Entrepreneur and domestic lifestyle innovator; founded Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia; Emmy® Award-winning television show host; bestselling author.
- Skylands Purchase: Stewart acquired the historic Skylands estate in 1997, seeking an oasis to escape the summer heat and a property with significant history.
7 Jaw-Dropping Secrets and Latest Updates from Skylands Estate
Skylands, located on Mount Desert Island (MDI) in Seal Harbor, Maine, is a 12-bedroom, three-story residence situated on 63 acres overlooking the coast. The estate's history is as grand as its current owner, having been originally built in 1925 for Edsel Ford, the president of the Ford Motor Company, and his wife, Eleanor. Here are the most recent and fascinating details about the property.
1. The Controversial $3 Million Pool Project (Her "Biggest Building Project")
The most significant recent change to the Skylands property is a major new construction project. Martha Stewart purchased a neighboring property for a reported $3 million. The historic mansion on the newly acquired land was subsequently knocked down.
In 2023, Stewart announced her "biggest building project of the year": converting the remaining basement foundation of the demolished house into a new swimming pool. This dramatic transformation allows for a spectacular new pool area overlooking Seal Harbor, further expanding the estate and offering unparalleled coastal views. The planning board approved a conditional use permit, allowing the project to proceed.
2. The Estate’s Architect and Landscape Legacy
The original residence was designed by Duncan Candler, a busy society architect of the time, for the Ford family. The architecture is massive, with a facade hewn from local stone, perfectly integrating with the rugged Maine landscape.
Equally important is the landscape design, which was crafted by the renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen. Stewart is a staunch custodian of this legacy, maintaining the naturalistic, rock-edged woodland pool and the overall design that respects the property's historical roots.
3. The "Iced Terrace" and 2025 Seasonal Planting
Martha Stewart's blog provides continuous, fresh updates on the seasonal maintenance of Skylands, demonstrating her commitment to the property. One specific area she often highlights is the "iced terrace," a large outdoor space overlooking Seal Harbor.
A recent update, dated as "Planting the Skylands Terrace 2025," showcases the mogul’s dedication to preparing the estate for the summer season, often around Memorial Day weekend. This annual ritual involves carefully curating and planting the terrace for the coming months, a testament to her hands-on approach to horticulture.
4. Interior Design: A Blend of History and Martha’s Custom Style
Stewart has been meticulous in preserving the original character of Skylands while adding her own contemporary yet classic touches. She has personalized the interior by painting the space with custom colors she developed herself.
Notable interior details include a six-foot-long Federal-era mirror hanging above a ten-foot-long table, which she designed with a polished pink granite top. The exterior is walled almost entirely in stone, giving the home a fortress-like, rugged aesthetic that contrasts beautifully with the refined interior decor.
5. Recent Criticism Over Living Room Redesign
Even a domestic arts master like Martha Stewart is not immune to public scrutiny. Earlier this year, the businesswoman shared photos of her newly re-designed living rooms at her Maine home on Instagram. The re-design, however, drew "harsh" criticism from some followers online.
Stewart is known for taking a hands-on approach to renovation and redecoration, and she often shares these projects with her audience, inviting both praise and commentary on her choices.
6. The Property’s Unique Location on Ox Hill
Skylands is strategically located high atop Ox Hill, sitting 384 feet above sea level. This elevated position provides the estate with its iconic, sweeping views of Seal Harbor and the surrounding area. The property is also situated outside the boundaries of Acadia National Park, allowing it to benefit from the region's stunning natural beauty while maintaining its private, secluded atmosphere.
7. Continuous Maintenance and Stewardship
The sheer size and age of Skylands demand continuous upkeep, a detail Martha Stewart frequently documents. Recent updates have included extensive stonework maintenance, ensuring the integrity of the historic facade and surrounding walls. Stewart views her ownership not just as a possession, but as a form of stewardship, ensuring the property remains a "living piece of history" for future generations.
Topical Authority: Key Entities of the Skylands Estate
To truly understand the depth and significance of Martha Stewart's Maine retreat, one must appreciate the key entities that define it:
- Skylands: The official name of the estate.
- Seal Harbor: The specific village overlooking the harbor.
- Mount Desert Island (MDI): The island where the estate is located, known for its rugged beauty.
- Edsel Ford: The original owner, son of Henry Ford.
- Duncan Candler: The original architect.
- Jens Jensen: The celebrated landscape architect.
- Acadia National Park: The nearby national park, defining the region's wilderness.
- Ox Hill: The elevated location of the property.
- Iced Terrace: Stewart's term for the large, main outdoor terrace.
- Polished Pink Granite: A material used for a custom table top in the interior.
- Woodland Pool: The original, naturalistic pool designed by Jensen.
- $3 Million Purchase: The price paid for the neighboring lot for the pool project.
- Stonework Maintenance: A frequent and necessary upkeep project for the stone facade.
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