Antique / Historic Homes For Sale

Jun

Historic 24-Acre Maine Island for Sale, Included: Fort Scammel
By LandVest

Whenever I take a tour of one of our properties, I play the If This Were My House game. Usually, I begin by imagining where I’d pay homage to my favorite objet d’art and end with holiday decorating. However, when LandVest broker John Scribner took me out to his latest Maine real estate offering, my mind began to race, and the If This Were My Island game began.

House Island in Casco Bay is not our usual, extraordinary LandVest listing. You might call it extra-extraordinary. With its perfect, near-shore but private and protected location, it has the ingredients to make it an exemplary LandVest listing. An exemplary listing which includes the added bonus of owning your own Fort. Not a tree-house kind of fort, but, a circa 1807 Civil War fort with subterranean rooms, tunnels and stairways of granite and brick. The kind of fort thatsent my imagination into marathon mode. Even if, in the end, its best use is to leave it as is, how fun to say, “I am the proud steward of Fort Scammel.”

As with our other “private islands for sale”, how nice to never have to worry about who is going to buy the abutting properties, and how incredible it would be to start and finish your morning and evening commute by boat, or perhaps only leave the island when in need of a night out at one of Portland’s fine restaurants. And for those who are lovers of all creatures great and small, the abundant ocean life – seals, ospreys, gulls and the resident family of deer–are sure to cause one to stop and gaze. Yes, House Island with the included Fort Scammel, appeals on so many levels:

History – Circa 1808 Fort Scammel, was originally built as an eight-sided wooden blockhouse and intended to protect the harbor from the British. From the 1840′s to the 1870′s, the fort was modernized and enlarged with granite bastions and earthworks for the coastal defense of the United States. It was touted as one of the best-preserved Civil War era forts in existence. The Island also served as a quarantine station for immigrants.
So close but so far away – The privacy and quiet of a remote island, yet just a quick 5 minute boat ride to Portland, Maine, and all its rich cultural and epicurean offerings.
Family Compound/Corporate Retreat – Complete with three ready-to-renovate residences, and ample room to roam. It’s no wonder why, over the years, the island has hosted countless corporate events and private family celebrations.

If this were my island, my stewardship would begin with an extended friends and family grand lobster bake, including volleyball, badminton, and Wiffle Ball. I would ask my friend to bring his guitar for when we gather ’round the beach-side bonfire, and then with a gathering of the troupes we’d head out for a twilight tour through Fort Scammel to the room where they used to store gunpowder and where I have made one of the coolest wine cellars in the world! (Note, the wine cellar is purely imaginary).

If you missed all the talk about House Island, click on videos and news links below:

Peaksfest Backdrop for House Island Listing

Private Island in Portland Harbor is For Sale

What Does 4.8 Million Get You? Plenty of Privacy!

Opinion: House Island Sale Shows Need for Public Land Fund

For more information or to arrange for a visit to House Island , please contact John Scribner at 207-874-2057 or jscribner@landvest.com.

Click to view more extraordinary Islands and Island Properties for sale

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Nov

Maine Real Estate and Waterfront Featured Property: Cragmere-by-the-Sea in Cape Neddick, ME
By LandVest

Maine Real Estate and Waterfront Featured Property: Cragmere-by-the-Sea

Aerial view of residence and studio guest quarters

LandVest, the recognized leader for Maine real estate, waterfront homes and estates throughout New England, offers a rare historic property in Cape Neddick, Maine.

The crowning achievement of distinguished Portland architect Antoine Dorticos, Cragmere-by-the-Sea is a masterful expression of Shingle-style vernacular, with Romanesque entry arches, granite stonework and definitive Arts and Crafts-inspired interiors.

Living room opening to the veranda and ocean views

Commissioned in 1888 by George M. Conarroe of Philadelphia as a summer home for his family,
this residential compound, situated on 1.410± acres, enjoys captivating views of the Atlantic Ocean, Bald Head Cliff, Nubble and Boon Island lighthouses, and the Isle of Shoals.

The main residence presents fourteen beautifully restored rooms, five bedrooms and six baths. The original stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings, five fireplaces and views over mature gardens to the sea provide the welcome.

2 story entry foyer accesses all first level rooms

A sweeping staircase
frames the two-story entry foyer, central to the living, dining, library, and exterior terraces and decks.
A seaside master suite with an observation deck, four additional bedrooms, two with fireplaces, three baths and a center-hall laundry envelope family and guests. A third level features
an office with mesmerizing
sea views, an expansive entertainment room, guest rooms and bath. A studio guest house, built in 2010, extends the Shingle-style personality of the property, steps from the residence.

The two-car garage includes an expansive second floor storage/studio space. A circa 1895 grand residence
with expansive sea views and radiant heat is a rare offering, indeed.

Cragmere is a convenient forty-five minutes from Portland, its cultural, recreational, business amenities and transportation hubs, and approximately sixty-five miles to Logan International Airport and Boston.
The Town of York and Ogunquit, Southern Maine’s most popular summer resort, features seaside inns, sandy beaches, golf and tennis facilities, popular arts and entertainment venues, and critically acclaimed restaurants and merchant offerings.
Cape Neddick presents some of the most spectacular rocky oceanfront along the coast of Maine.
Seaside environs along the bucolic shore road between York and Ogunquit are signed by wooded driveways and landscaped grounds.
Deepwater marinas access exceptional sailing and fishing along the Maine Atlantic coastline.

A fully modern kitchen with access to the dining room and side deck

Stewardship of Cragmere continues, as restorations acknowledged with a 1999 Maine Society for Preservation Award, the first residential property to receive the recognition, enjoy ongoing refinements during 2009-2010.

This blog post is brought to you by William Davisson, who advises and assists distinctive real estate homeowners, and buyers of land, estates and farms in the Portland, Maine and surrounding areas. Contact William Davisson (wdavisson@landvest.com) in our Portland, Maine office if you would like more information about this property or his other real estate listings in Maine.

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Aug

Location Location Location, South End Real Estate News
By LandVest

Location, Location, Location:

A South End Boston Home Offers Privacy, Convenience and Luxurious Gastronomical Living

The South End of Boston has been touted as Boston’s most vibrant community, a tree-lined neighborhood with an abundance of art galleries, boutique shopping, 11 residential parks, an open market, al fresco coffee shops, and four-star dining. It’s no wonder the real estate market has been somewhat stable here and that folks stroll about with smiles on their faces.

The South End is defined as being south of Boston’s Back Bay, southwest of Bay Village, and northwest of South Boston. The two main streets are Tremont and Washington Streets from West Newton Street to Berkeley Street.

Stately row of Victorians on Appleton Street in Boston's South End

LandVest’s 46 Appleton St listing is a contemporized c1868 row house that lies in the heart of the South End on one of its most desirable streets. The Appleton Street location (between Clarendon and Berkley) puts you within three blocks of some of Boston’s finest new and established restaurants. From Hamersley’s Bistro, Aquitane, Stephi’s on Tremont to Pops, there is something for every palate. Gastronomical events embellish every season with the latest happening just this past Wednesday night when Jay Haaj of Mike’s Diner hosted a one-night “Pop Up” dinner that highlighted the culinary talents of Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette. When not dining out, this home offers a state-of the art kitchen and several dining and entertaining areas, both inside and out where a lifetime of memories are waiting to be created.

With all of the South End’s incredible eateries, the owners of 46 Appleton enjoy picking up take-out and dining in this private patio off the kitchen.

Gather with friends for a dusky cocktail hour while the city begins to light up the evening sky.

Invite one of Boston’s private chefs to ignite your gourmet senses in this state-of-the-art kitchen.

One of the many working fireplaces that help create 46 Appleton Street’s large but cozy atmosphere.

Naturally this listing offers more than adventures in gastronomy. Beginning with its architectural heritage, the South End lies on a former neck of land that was enlarged in the 1850’s as part of renowned architect Charles Bulfinch’s Boston enlargement plan. Bulfinch erected brick bow-front (bay window) townhouses with cast iron railings and iron framed gardens, surrounded by parks and greenways as an escape from the overcrowded Beacon Hill.

This top to bottom new construction lies in the heart of the South End.

While the exterior maintains its row house heritage, the interior has been newly constructed for luxurious, state-of-the-art living. With 3,500 square feet, 5 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, it defies the average tightly-quartered city living standards and even includes a discretely designed elevator which allows easy access to all floors.

With public transportation just steps away, this location is ideal for anyone commuting within the city or its environs and, with Logan Airport not far away, it is equally favorable for the frequent flyers. For more information on 46 Appleton or other South End Real Estate needs, contact Mary-Elisabeth Jones at mejones@landvest.com or call (617) 948-8057.

This blog entry was brought to you by Mary-Elisabeth Jones who assists buyers and sellers of distinctive properties throughout Greater Boston and Cape Cod. Most recently Mary-Elisabeth has been working with buyers and sellers in Boston’s Back Bay, Beacon Hill, South End, Greater Boston’s Cambridge, Carlisle, Concord, and Cape Cod’s Osterville and Wianno.

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Aug

Cape Cod Waterfront Real Estate for Sale
By LandVest

Cape Cod Waterfront Properties for Sale in Orleans, Yarmouthport, Marstons Mills and Falmouth

For more information click on photos or contact: Stewart Young – syoung@landvest.com or call 617-357-8930

Seven acres of privacy and magnificent views.

Viking Point

7 acres of panoramic views from Namequoit River to Little Pleasant Bay

74 Viking Road, Orleans, MA 02653

$7,500,000

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Cape Cod waterfront property with gentleman's farm on over 15 acres.

Mill Farm Waterfront Compound

15 acres

88 Mill Lane, Yarmouthport, MA 02675

$6,500,000

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Highpoint is an remarkable waterfront property in an exceptional location.

Highpoint Waterfront Compound

3.84 private acres with dramatic views of North Bay

345 Baxters Neck Road, Marstons Mills, MA 02648

$4,400,000

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Stylish contemporary on retreat-like 1 acre with deeded beach rights

Buzzard’s Bay Beach House

1.04 acres of retreat-like setting with deeded beach rights

23 Gray Lane, Falmouth, MA 02540

$1,400,000

This post was brought to you by Stewart Young (syoung@landvest.com). Whether it’s an elegant Greek Revival in Lincoln, a 130 acre farm in Medfield, or a waterfront summer estate on Stage Harbor in Chatham, Stewart advises buyers and sellers of some of the most distinctive properties in Massachusetts with a focus on the Metro West area of Boston and Cape Cod.

Click here for Stewart Young contact info

Click here to view more Cape Cod Real Estate for Sale

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Jul

LandVest-Martha’s Vineyard’s Real Estate Listing Featured in the Boston Business Journal
By LandVest

LandVest’s Gerret Conover and Thomas LeClair are the listing brokers for the prominent 1.1 acre Edgartown harbor front compound which is the subject of Craig Douglas’ article “Vose Estate on Martha’s Vineyard Listed for $17.5M” in the Boston Business Journal.

This magnificent harbor front listing represents one of the more important properties to be offered in recent times.

This historic Martha’s Vineyard property was owned by the Vose family for more than 100 years and is being listed for $17.5M. It is located at 41 Dunham Road in the exclusive Tower Hill neighborhood and boasts what is arguably the finest view in the harbor. It has 4,300 square feet of living space, seven bedrooms, five baths and includes a main house on a high bluff overlooking a sandy beach with a private deep-water pier as well as a separate two-story guesthouse.

Click here for more information on this Dunham Road estate or contact Gerret Conover or Thomas LeClair

For more information on Martha’s Vineyard properties for Sale visit the LandVest Martha’s Vineyard website.

www.mvlandvest.com

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May

Cape Cod Real Estate News: Historic House For Sale in Falmouth, MA -Birthplace of Katharine Lee Bates
By LandVest

This post was brought to you by Stewart Young (syoung@landvest.com). Whether it’s an elegant Greek Revival in Lincoln, a 130 acre farm in Medfield, or a waterfront summer estate on Little Harbor in Woods Hole, Stewart advises buyers and sellers of some of the most distinctive properties in Massachusetts with a focus on the Metro West area of Boston and Cape Cod.

Katharine Lee Bates House in Falmouth, MA is currently for sale

Katharine Lee Bates was born in this house at 16 Main Street, Falmouth, Massachusetts in 1859 and is most famous as the author of the lyrics for America the Beautiful. Given her early years in Falmouth, one can’t help but wonder if the local water views inspired some of the lines of her famous poem. She reported that the words were inspired by a lecture trip to Colorado College in 1893 where Bates was awed by the view from the summit of Pike’s Peak.

Bates was a resident of Falmouth until the age of twelve. She was an intrepid scholar, a member of the second class to graduate from Wellesley College. She was president of her class. She also spent a year studying at Oxford University before settling in to teaching in New England. She went on to distinguish herself in academia beginning at Natick High School, then Dana Hall School, and finally at Wellesley College where she became head of the English Literature Department in 1891. Bates died at the age of 69 in 1929, an accomplished author of poetry, travel and children’s books; an educator; a humanitarian; and a member of the League of Nations.

This historic and completely renovated property was built ca. 1810. The property was purchased from the Falmouth Historical Society in 2008 and renovated from 2008-2010 to the highest standards by C.H. Newton Builders, Inc., one of the most highly regarded builders on Cape Cod and in greater Boston. The residence consists of 2,364 square feet of finished space with 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, new kitchen with top of the line appliances, new wiring and utilities including air conditioning, new cedar shake roof, insulation, and a new garage and storage building. The quarter acre lot features a gravel driveway to the back with extra parking and handsome landscaping. It is near the Falmouth village green and convenient to shops and restaurants. This is an ideal year round residence in a community that offers the best of year round and summer time amenities.

For more information about Katharine Lee Bates and Falmouth, click here to visit the web site of the Falmouth Historical Society

Click link for more information about the Katharine Lee Bates House including builder’s description of the renovations, found under property documents.

Click here to view properties for sale on Cape Cod.

Contact Stewart Young (syoung@landvest.com) in our Boston, Massachusetts office if you’d like to talk about real estate on Cape Cod or in the metro Boston area..

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