OLD ORCHARD BEACH – Built at Pine Point in 1920 for a Harvard Law man who had served in World War I, would also serve in World War II, and as a Naval Reserve rear admiral and as Monsignor Robert J. White, this splendid year-round home was owned by him for many decades. He had the house moved about a mile to this more advantageous oceanfront location not long before Charles Lindbergh (a friend, it is said) landed the Spirit of St. Louis nearby, in 1927.

Today, the seven-mile crescent of Saco Bay sand from Prouts Neck to Biddeford Pool is magnificent as ever, and this cottage-style classic with 100 feet of frontage on Grand Beach continues to enjoy glorious, panoramic ocean views.

The 3,414-square-foot home, with its beachfront character, is a worthy complement to its setting. The huge deck, which has a full-coverage awning, is like the prow of a ship. The maple-floored interior is almost entirely paneled in fir, and the original “back” porch has been enclosed to create a wonderful family/living area, with brick, wood-burning fireplace, large enough for entertaining, relaxing and dining in separate “rooms.” Both formal dining room, with table for 12, and butler’s pantry lead into a stunning kitchen with surfaces of granite from a riverbed in Chile.

There are five bedrooms on the second floor. The master suite has the top level all to itself; its ocean-facing window seat provides an irresistible lookout. Washer and dryer are in an enclosure alongside a walk-through closet that is 12 feet long and extends from the bedroom to the luxurious bath, which includes a jetted tub in an elevated tile surround.

Because the property extends 300 feet from its wrought-iron-fenced parking area to the water, the 100-foot expanse of front lawn constitutes a buildable lot, suitable for a guest cottage, etc., to help expand what already makes a wonderful family compound. (But many buyers may prefer to enjoy the .72-acre lot, which is beautifully landscaped and hardscaped and includes a charming, shingled shed, as is.)

It should also be noted that as a rental property, the home brings $10,000 per week in season.

Advertisement

The home at 2 Parcher Ave., Old Orchard Beach, is listed for sale at $1,995,000 by Sandra Murray of Keller Williams Realty in Portland.

For more information or to arrange a private viewing, please contact Sandra at 879-9800, 415-5175, or at sandramurray@kw.com.

 

Produced by the Marketing Department of the Maine Sunday Telegram, the Home of the Week is provided at no cost.

Photos by Lynn Dube, Wave5 Productions.

Send HOW suggestions to jrolfe@pressherald.com.

Copy the Story Link

Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.