Years ago we drove by a wonderful building at the bridge on Rutherford Island, So Bristol, ME that looked like it was about to disintegrate and fall into the water. As architects/designers, we fell in love with the building and obsessed with how it might be restored. When we discovered that it was built in 1894 and had been the town’s general store, coffee shop, post office, dance hall, movie theatre and bowling alley, we became even more interested and long story short, we bought it! Many years of respectful restoration followed, taking great care to preserve the building’s architectural integrity and original design details.
The Bridge House has been the ultimate experience in waterfront living in a small, working Maine fishing village. Adjacent to a local navigation channel, the site affords an extraordinary vantage point with beautiful sunrises and sunsets, cool waterfront breezes and the local harbor activities: lobster boats coming and going, kayakers paddling through “the Gut,” the bridge opening and closing, and boaters greeting you as they pass by.
With 134’ of direct waterfront and additional water views, you often feel like you’re living on a boat.
About the house:
The first floor has an open living room/dining area/kitchen and still looks like a vintage cafe with the original counter. Patio doors open to a large deck over the water with access to a private deep water dock. There is also one bedroom with water views, patio doors to the waterfront deck and an ensuite bath.
The second floor housed So Bristol’s dance hall and movie theater. It is now one large LR/DR/Kit loft space with water views on three sides and patio doors to the upper waterfront deck. The chef’s kitchen has a SubZero refrigerator, Five Star professional range, dishwasher and a large vintage cast iron sink. There’s also a half bath tucked into a corner of this floor. The original dance hall benches were incorporated into the built-in bookcase and the opening for the movie projector is still intact.
The third floor has a large bedroom with ensuite bath, a small bedroom with ensuite bath and a library/sleeping alcove area. There are eight skylights that provide additional light.
Total square footage: 3,600 sq ft.
This is a wonderful 3 season home with either a possible business opportunity on the first floor or a separate living area for family and friends.
Press:
“Coastal Living Magazine”
HGTV: “Building Character”
Marni Katz’s “Style Carrot” design blog
“Decor Maine Magazine”
Inquiries:
207-644-1478
dianne@taylorhaas-studio.com