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The property at 405 Ocean Ave in Marblehead, Massachusetts is currently on the market for a price slightly under $7 million. This stunning waterfront property boasts picturesque views of a historic harbor, which is steeped in American history. The property is located in a coastal town about 16 miles from Boston, a city known for its troubled past with tea.
The property is a beautiful Victorian home built in 1880 by William Gardner Barker, who was also the longtime head of the Lipton Tea Company. The house was later passed down to his son, W. Gardner Barker. The Barker family sold the property in 1990, but the Lipton legacy lives on in a unique way in the home's basement den. The walls of this room are adorned with wood panels made from old tea chests, a nod to the property's history.
The property spans two lots totaling 1.82 acres and boasts a spacious 6,500 square feet of living space. The home combines modern amenities with antique features, including a chef's kitchen with new plumbing and granite countertops, as well as two original butler pantries. The primary suite is located on the second floor and features a sitting room with ocean views. There are also four additional bedrooms and five bathrooms in the property.
The property also features a large mural in the first-floor hallway, which depicts Salem Harbor and was painted in 1972. The Barker family had connections to Salem, and the property's founding owner, William Gardner Barker, used the property as his summer residence while his primary residence was in Salem. The property also features a wraparound porch and a terraced garden cut from solid rock "ledge." An easement leads to a small beach, and a network of stone steps guide visitors through the grounds, which include a grassy spot and what were once perennial gardens. The property also features a small shingled summer house with stunning views of Marblehead Rock, Children's Island, Castle Rock Park, and the Marblehead Lighthouse. The property also includes a small shack known as "The Tea House," which has been there since the early 1900s and is a nod to the property's history with tea.
