PORTLAND – Here in Deering Center is a classic early 20th-century Victorian that has been lovingly restored, and with almost all its original features very well preserved. Built for Alfred A. Stevens in 1902, the home has belonged to just three families over its 112 years, and in fact has been cherished by the same family since 1959.

Spacious at 2,311 square feet, the four-bedroom home has lofty ceilings throughout, and wood floors (they are covered in the kitchen) of oak or pine, and all recently refinished. Woodwork throughout the house is lovely, from the decorative corbels on the wraparound front porch, to the flooring inlaid in a pattern to match the window bays. The foyer, a room unto itself, has accommodated soaring Christmas trees, features a brick, wood-burning fireplace with gorgeous mantel, and mirror surround, and is partially illuminated by a tall Palladian leaded-glass window.

Both the formal dining room and the eat-in kitchen (which needs appliances) have paneling (beadboard, in the kitchen); and the L-shaped butler’s pantry has extensive cabinetry. A half-bath has been added off the foyer; and off the kitchen, the mudroom invites finishing.

Both grand, front staircase and back “breakfast stairs” once used by the maid, ascend to the four-bedroom second floor. Closets are generous, especially for a home of this vintage. The large, full bath, with cast-iron soaking tub, is at one end of the hall; at the other are floor-to-ceiling, built-in drawers for linens.

The huge, walkup attic is daylight, thanks to windows on all four sides; and with excellent ceiling height around the exposed brick of the center chimney, offers all kinds of potential for finishing. The full basement is partial-daylight, has laundry-ready hookups and a vintage double set tub, and a semi-finished, paneled game room with vertical logs forming one outside wall. There’s tons of storage and workshop space, too.

Economical to heat, due to replacement windows throughout, the home comes with the added advantages of a newer roof, and updated electricity. Set on a .18-acre, corner lot, the home enjoys a very handy, central location – a short walk to all schools, the Burbank Branch library, and the many conveniences of village-like Deering Center.

The property at 9 Richardson St., Portland is listed for sale at $339,900 by Tina Lucas of Lucas Real Estate, and is being shown by appointment.
For more information or to arrange a private viewing, please contact Tina at 774-4022, 756-5939 or at tina@lucasrealestate.com.

Price: $339,900
Built: 1902
Rooms/bedrooms: 9/4
Baths: One full, one 1/2
Square footage: 2,311
Lot size: 0.18 acre
Parking: Off-street
Taxes: $5,910

Produced by the Marketing Department of the Maine Sunday Telegram, the Home of the Week is provided at no cost.
Staff photos by Derek David. HOW suggestions: jrolfe@pressherald.com

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