An Iconic Gilded Age 'Cottage' Offers Waterfront Access in Bar Harbor, Maine

Listing of the Day

Location: Bar Harbor, Maine

Price: $6.295 million

Situated on nearly three acres of prominent oceanfront land in downtown Bar Harbor, Maine, a sumptuous mansion known as La Rochelle stands as one of the few remaining area "cottages" of the Gilded Age.

"I am astounded by the architectural detail, both interior and exterior," said Kimberly Swan of the Swan Agency Sotheby's International Realty, the property’s listing agent. "The property is a work of art with exquisite woodwork throughout, a wishbone staircase and both interior and exterior columns."

La Rochelle’s history dates back to the 1902, when George Sullivan Bowdoin, great-grandson of Alexander Hamilton and partner at J.P. Morgan and his wife (the former Julia Irving Grinnell, a great niece of Washington Irving) commissioned the architecture firm Andrews, Jacques & Rantoul to design the home, which became one of the first Bar Harbor mansions constructed of brick.

In the 1940s, Tristram C. Colket of Philadelphia and his wife (the former Ethel Dorrance, daughter of John T. Dorrance, the Campbell's Soup king) acquired La Rochelle. They kept up the property to the original period’s precise standards by having every shrub trimmed to perfection, the lawns mowed in English stripes by reel mowers, the gravel in the drive raked daily and the shutters consistently buffed to a perfect gloss.

"La Rochelle has always been a Bar Harbor icon and its unique design is appreciated by visitors and locals," Ms. Swan said. "It would be the perfect summer home for people who enjoy having lots of company as it has many bedrooms, beautiful lawns and oceanfront views and access."

Stats

With 13,392 square feet of living space, the house has 12 bedrooms, nine full bathrooms and two half bathrooms on 2.9 acres of land, which include manicured gardens and lawn areas.

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Amenities

The house has 41 rooms in total and the electrical and heating systems were updated several years ago. "A recent major update was a new seawall at the cost of $400,000," Ms. Swan said. "There are 500 feet of oceanfront so that was significant."

Talking Point

In 1972, La Rochelle’s owners, the Colket family, donated it to The Maine Seacoast Mission. Since then, the house has served as the headquarters for this highly regarded non-profit and has been referred to as the Colket Center. "The first floor where events are held is exquisite and the woodwork has all been beautifully maintained," Ms. Swan said. "The bedrooms and servants quarters have been used as offices and for the mission's Christmas program."

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Neighborhood Notes

The property is located on West Street, which is one of this resort town’s main streets and the only ocean-side street. Shops, restaurants, museums and Bar Harbor’s famous Shore Path are a short walk from the property. Acadia National Park is a quick bike ride up the hill.  

Agent: Kimberly Swan, Swan Agency Sotheby's International Realty

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