A couple turns an abandoned $58,000 Maine ‘outhouse’ into a beautiful $5.2 million beach retreat that will support their children for years to come

In June 1973, Vic And Marsha Steinglas moved from their rental home in Connecticut to the first property they ever bought: an acre of waterfront land on the Maine coast, home to a small, dilapidated 1940s house and a boat repair shop overlooking the water.

They paid just $58,500 for the property, which is located in the port city of Rockport and, despite its dilapidated appearance, was destined to become a legacy for their family, a property that is now for sale for $5.2 million.

At the time, the structures were in a state of serious disrepair, and Marsha recalled, “All the neighbors called it ‘the outhouse on the beach.’

But the young couple were delighted with their new home, having chosen the property purely for its beautiful location right on the water’s edge in one of the country’s most idyllic coastal towns.

“All we cared about was the location,” Marsha admits.

After securing their dream location, they were convinced that with a little courage – and a lot of perseverance – they could turn it into a dream home.

Today, the property, whimsically named “Duck Down,” features an architecturally celebrated house and a separate beach house — and is virtually unrecognizable from the abandoned cabin the Steinglasses purchased more than 50 years ago.

Far from an easy fix, the property that now stands at 1 Ship St. is a testament to Marsha and Vic’s ingenuity, sacrifice, patience, wisdom and foresight, a property they hope will serve as a lucrative source of wealth for their children and grandchildren.

The process was far from quick – and for the first few months the couple lived in the main house, having done little more than a few aesthetic updates to make the home livable.

Together they painted, wallpapered and cleaned the ‘rustic’ home, which they heated mainly by burning wood in the fireplace, while groceries were transported on a sled down the street when it snowed.

By the time their second son was born in 1979, they had begun the massive project of converting the boat workshop overlooking the water into a three-bedroom home that would better suit their growing family. Vic and Marsha did almost all of the work themselves, with a little input from a local architect.

However, Vic, who is a veterinarian by profession, was only able to devote his limited spare time to the project, leaving Marsha to take on the day-to-day management of the renovation while also caring for the children.

“Every day when he returned from our animal hospital, he expected the entire building to collapse into a pile of wood and glass,” Marsha says, laughing.

The Steinglass boys grew up largely in the couple’s renovated repair shop did managing to transform a picturesque waterfront family home despite Vic’s humorous concerns about the home’s structural integrity.

Meanwhile, the family began work on converting the original “beachfront outbuilding” into a two-bedroom rental property, and the property began to generate income for them.

When it came time for the sons to leave the nest, the estate became available again: They sold the small plot of land on which the rental house stood and kept “the important parts of the estate, like the beach,” says Marsha.

The profits from that land sale enabled them to send their sons to college, while also significantly improving their own financial circumstances.

In 2008, the Steinglasses were ready to realize their true dream for the property. Marsha had long been an admirer of the work of Hugh Newell Jacobsenthe architect known for his design Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis‘house in Martha’s Vineyard.

But it was Jacobsen’s design for a “Life Dream House,” which appeared in Life Magazine, that really piqued her interest, especially since he noted that the structure could theoretically be built by any average American family.

Marsha had written to the architect when she first saw the article – and the two stayed in touch, so by the time she was in her sixties and had the means to build her own “dream home,” she contacted Jacobsen to bring that vision to life.

Jacobson agreed to design the house they had always desired, far away from and above the beach house.

Completed in 2008, the simple yet elegant two-bedroom, 2.5-bath home with unobstructed harbor views has since been hailed as a near-perfect example of architectural excellence, and has been featured in several leading design publications, including Architectural Digest and “American Modern Home,” a Rizzoli book written by Jacobsen that featured Marsha and Vic’s home on the cover.

Now that property is on the market for the first time in its history, a decision that Marsha says stemmed from the couple’s realization that they needed to downsize – coupled with their desire to create true generational wealth for their children.

The decision to sell was also driven, at least in part, by rising real estate taxes in Rockport, which Marsha admits are “consuming” their retirement savings, pushing them to spend money and reap as many rewards as possible before those savings run out.

While the listing doesn’t include the fascinating story behind the home’s creation, it does do draw attention to the architectural significance of the property, calling it a “first waterfront home with breathtaking views of the harbor, with a commanding southeast panorama to the Indian Island Lighthouse and beyond to Penobscot Bay and its islands.”

Known for its clean lines and light-filled interior, the home features an open floor plan with floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that flood the living areas with sunlight.

The two bedrooms are conveniently located on the ground floor and both have en-suite bathrooms and a walk-out patio with water views.

A soaring, vaulted ceiling floats above the great room, which opens to a light and bright dining area and kitchen with a center island.

Wood and tile floors help keep the house fresh and clean, two fireplaces make it cozy and warm, and built-in bookcases that serve as design features add an air of simple sophistication.

In addition, there is an immaculate three-bay garage with workshop space and a large, flexible second floor above.

The charming and cozy waterfront Beach House, originally the boat repair shop, is also part of the deal. It now functions as a year-round home, with an open ground floor with a Pullman kitchen, a balcony overlooking the harbor, plus two bedrooms and a bathroom on the second floor.

All this is set in a glorious, naturally landscaped setting, surrounded by terraced gardens, elegant stonework and a private sandy beach, unlike any other property on the harbour.