Vic and Marsha Steinglass purchased a dilapidated 1940s property on one acre of waterfront land in Rockport, Maine, for $58,500 in June 1973. Despite its initial state, described by neighbors as "the outhouse on the beach," the couple saw potential in the location and were determined to transform it into their dream home. Marsha, a long-time admirer of architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen, envisioned a sophisticated retreat on the site.
The couple first converted the existing boat repair shop into a three-bedroom house, where their sons were raised. Later, they realized their full vision by commissioning Jacobsen to design a main house, completed in 2008. This elegant two-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home with harbor views has been featured in publications like Architectural Digest and a Rizzoli book, gaining architectural acclaim. The original "outhouse" was also converted into a two-bedroom rental.
Over the years, the Steinglasses demonstrated resourcefulness and patience, even selling a portion of land to finance their sons' college education. The property, whimsically named "Duck Down," now includes the architecturally celebrated main house and a charming beach house. It is currently on the market for $5.2 million, intended to provide generational wealth for their children and grandchildren, showcasing a significant return on their initial investment and decades of dedication.
