luxury architect houses for sale Maine, United States

Once in a lifetime a commercial property becomes available that is steeped in American history while retaining its timeless elegance, offering a compelling business opportunity in a unique mountain and riverfront setting. This is that property. The Merrill House is a vast Gilded Age country estate with a storied past, on 126 acres in the beautiful mountains of Western Maine. In the early 1900s, Henry Varnum Poor (founder of Standard & Poor's, later the S&P 500) carried out the final expansion, with contributions from influential architects Stanford White and Frederick Law Olmstead. It has been home to 8 generations of the same family, the setting for a major motion picture, and a profitable retreat, event, and vacation rental venue. The property offers extensive manicured lawns, gardens, trails, and magnificent views. The main home boasts 16 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, a stately dining room, and an impressive Great Hall for which photos do not do justice. There are also income-producing caretaker's cottage and barns, and generous garage and workshop space. Originally homesteaded in 1791, the Merrill House is poised for its next owner to carry on its legacy, own a piece of American history, and operate a successful business in a setting like no other. Perhaps a retreat center, outdoor adventure base, or wedding venue. The property is partially heated, supporting three-season occupancy of up to 32 overnight guests, and four season for up to 12 overnight with 6 bedrooms, 2 full and 2 half baths, study, & Great Hall, with 200-amp electrical service and updated plumbing. Merrill House is surrounded by four-season outdoor recreation. Bethel, ME is about 30 minutes away, as are the Sunday River and Black Mountain ski areas. The Appalachian Trail is about 12 minutes away, and numerous walking, biking, ski, and motorsports trails right out the door. Rangeley, ME is about 1 hour away and Portland International Jetport and North Conway, NH are about 90 minutes away.

Between the incredible beach setting, the architecture, light filled rooms and style of this Peter Forbes designed masterpiece, you'll enjoy all this property has with plenty of room for your extended family and guests. The purpose in the design was to wrap the beautiful gravel beach shoreline with the curve of the house and to keep it simple with uncluttered spaces with extensive storage space in the unique 'saddlebag' style closets hanging off the back and to be able to display their art along with having an art studio off the north end. With spectacular views of Union River Bay to the mountains of Acadia the home was built on concrete pillars that go all the way to the roofline to support the unique steel and wood structure and the decks even fold up in the winter to become storm shutters for the wall of glass on the water side. The main house is basically one bedroom and the guest house. that is just a few feet apart on the deck, includes another three bedrooms down and two more in the loft. The detached garage has an office and finished shop area that could be more living space or an additional upstairs in that building that is also finished.