Late Yankee Candle founder’s western Massachusetts estate lists for $23M

LEVERETT, Mass. — The sprawling western Massachusetts compound owned by Yankee Candle founder Michael James Kittredge II until his 2019 death has been listed for $23 million.

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Situated on more than 60 lush acres, Juggler Meadow features 120,000 square feet of living space spread across eight buildings that include the primary home, several guest houses, a private concert space, a 9-hole golf course, an indoor water park, a 4,000-square-foot fitness center, a 55,000-square-foot spa, a two-story arcade, a three-lane bowling alley and an indoor tennis court, complete with spectator seating, WFXT-TV reported.

According to the TV station, the main home was built in the 1980s before Kittredge acquired the property. He quickly launched an eight-stage expansion, completing the compound in 2010.

Johnny Hatem Jr., with Douglas Elliman’s Sarkis Team, is the listing agent.

The Leverett property, located about a two-hour drive from Boston, also boasts two car barns with space for a total of 80 classic cars, WFXT reported.

The five-bedroom, 25,000-square-foot main home features a three-story great room encircled by white columns and a kitchen boasting five islands and seven sinks, according to The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the listing.

Kittredge bought the property for $144,000 in 1984 when it was a three-bedroom colonial and systematically expanded the compound by purchasing the surrounding land and constructing outbuildings over the course of 26 years, Bloomberg reported.

According to the news outlet, Kittredge sold 90% of his Yankee Candle holdings in 1998 to New York private equity company Forstmann Little & Co., using a chunk of the proceeds to construct his Juggler Meadow retreat. The scented candle company is now owned by Newell Brands Inc.

According to the Journal, Kittredge’s son, 32-year-old Michael Kittredge III, is selling the property, which he likened to Disneyland.

Kittredge II died in 2019 at the age of 67. He had twice battled cancer and suffered a stroke in 2012, which limited his movement and speech, WFXT reported.

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Peek inside late Yankee Candle founder’s sprawling estate The sprawling western Massachusetts compound owned by Yankee Candle founder Michael James Kittredge II until his 2019 death has been listed for $23 million, featuring a 120,000-square-foot home, private concert space, a 9-hole golf course, an indoor water park, a 4,000-square-fot fitness center, a 55,000-square-foot spa and an indoor tennis court, complete with spectator seating. Take a look at the breathtaking views and amenities. (Surette Media Group)

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