Waterfront Queen Anne Style Home on Protected Harbor

This lovely, 12-room, 6-bedroom, 1 full-bath and 2 half-bath, 3000 square foot, waterfront home was built in the Queen Anne style in 1881 for Frederick C. S. Bartlett by Caleb, Hammond & Son, Architects and Builders. Mr. Bartlett was a Massachusetts State Representative as well as a Fairhaven Selectman.

The home is natural-shingled now with dark green trim and attractive piazzas (covered porches) along the front and the rear of the house. The front piazza stretches the length of the house (32 feet) and provides a cool, spacious environment for entertaining guests. The rear piazza has now been enclosed and incorporated into the main house as a heated sunroom with thermopane windows. On the south side of the front piazza is a distinctive, original portochere (carriage/car port).

Enter the home across the large piazza to find a carved staircase; a fireplaced library; a spacious, fireplaced living room; a fireplaced dining room; the large, enclosed porch overlooking the harbor; a lavette (toilette); a pantry/"puzzle room"; and a large, charming, antique kitchen which has been updated with commercial-grade stainless appliances and double-ovens. The ceilings are high; the floors are a mixture of oak and ash. The fireplaces have handsome, distinctive tiles in their jams. Some of these tiles may have been painted by the famous painter William Bradford whose daughter also owned the house.

Climbing the stairs to the second floor, we find a large, fireplaced master bedroom, two guest bedrooms (one with fireplace) as well as a full bath. Upstairs, on the third floor, are 3 more bedrooms and a half bath. The floors on the second and third floors are painted pine or ash.

The house also has a full, walk-out basement with a water-facing room that is perfect for an art studio or exercise area. It is heated by oil but is on town water, town sewer, and town gas.

This stately waterfront home, perfect for a summer getaway or a year-round residence is well preserved as well as well-maintained. It has original windows and doors except for the thermopanes in the enclosed piazza and studio. It has many recent, but tasteful upgrades. The asphalt roof, red cedar shingle siding, red cedar clapboards, and wooden gutters are all only 3 years old. The furnace, fueled by oil, is only 4 years old.

The lot is .59 acres (25,890 square feet) and is fronted by a stone wall. The rear of the lot fronts the Fairhaven/ New Bedford Harbor. The home has riparian (water) rights - out into the middle of the channel. One can put at least a 60' pier at the house or boat mooring(s). The rear yard is spacious and gently sloping. It would be perfect for parties, entertaining, sports, or pets.

The Fairhaven/ New Bedford Harbor is quite active and is protected by a storm dyke that can be closed in the event of a major weather event. This storm barrier, along with the protection afforded by the Elizabethan Islands, which comprise the outer bounds of Buzzard's Bay, makes this arguably the safest harbor on the Eastern Seaboard. The harbor is home to over 450 active fishing boats making this the highest-earning fishing harbor in the United States. From this property, it is a short sail to Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Cuttyhunk, Newport RI, Bock Island, or the wide-open Atlantic.

In addition to its well-maintained, stately architecture and valuable waterfront, this home is in an outstanding location. It is a just a few hundred feet from Fort Phoenix State Park, which offers a sandy beach, tennis courts, basketball courts, and historic ramparts with cannon mounts. The home is in an area of similar, fine homes. It is directly across the street from where Henry Huttleston Roger's 84-room mansion was located. It is also a short walk to active fishing piers, marinas, the town hall, library, middle school, high school, bicycle path, restaurants, shopping, four churches, and much more. The home is also close to shopping, the New Bedford National Whaling Historic Park, about 14 National Historic Districts, and the ports, beaches, and golf courses of South Dartmouth, Westport, Mattapoisett, and Marion. It is only a few hundred feet from the Fairhaven Shipyard, which can accommodate very large vessels.

By car, Fairhaven is one hour south of Boston (and Logan Airport), 30 minutes from the Cape Cod bridges, 30 minutes from Providence and Newport, Rhode Island, 40 minutes from T.F. Green International Airport, one hour from Logan International Airport (Boston). Drive to Manhattan in about three-and-a-half hours or take the train from Providence.

This beautiful home is exclusively listed by Olde Dartmouth Sotheby's International Realty for $1,377,500. Please call for a showing or more information.