HOUSE ISLAND, CASCO BAY, PORTLAND — If it feels a bit too breezy when you’re relaxing on the west-facing beach of the isthmus here, or if the sun’s direction isn’t quite right, there’s an easy solution: Walk about 20 feet over to the east-facing beach. (Or vice-versa.)

Or, such are the private island’s charms, stroll to one of three other beaches on these 12.8 acres; or to the meditation garden, or the beautifully rustic fire pit area, or the croquet/bocce lawn, or along the new, expansive dock.

With just under 4,000 feet of water frontage, the exquisitely landscaped northeastern half of House Island affords seeming endless scope for exploration, and for rapt enjoyment of the enchanting, ever-changing Casco Bay views: across the sail-dotted waters past Fort Gorges to the Portland cityscape; along other islands’ shores and through Whitehead Passage between Peaks and Cushing; over to the shipping channel from which cruise ships emerge to enter the harbor.

House Island has been said to “define” the harbor, because of its central location, and has a rich heritage. These acres became “the Ellis Island of the north” after being purchased by the U.S. government for use as an immigration station in the early 1900s.

Today, following months of work covering the entire half that just now has been offered for sale, the island is beginning a new chapter in its history; yet the past is present, in the granite foundation enclosing the croquet lawn; the whimsical three-skiff garden alluding to local groundfishing in the 1800s, and more recent lobstering; and in the three century-old, year-round cottages that just this summer have been thoroughly, sensitively renovated to provide every modern comfort.

The property is ideally suited as a family compound for successive generations to cherish. Each of the three houses has a distinct identity.

The Lodge (main house) of 2,187 square feet, is nearest the dock; each of its four bedrooms has its own bath; every detail, from lovely tile work like the beach-glass backsplashes, to the grey-stone fireplace, says “Maine oceanfront.” The House on the Hill is four-bedroom and 1,806 square feet; highlights include a white-brick fireplace and a delightful beadboard bunk room on the second floor, and an observation deck.

To the south, the smaller, two-bedroom Cottage is also of classic shorefront design. The fourth building is the energy center of the passive-solar property, with caretaker’s quarters upstairs.

The House Island property is listed at $6.9 million by David Banks of RE/MAX By The Bay in Portland, and is being shown by appointment.

For more information or to arrange a private viewing, please contact David at 207-553-7302 or at  dbanks@homesinmaine.com,  and visit TheDavidBanksTeam.com.

Photographs by Helios Aerial Photography; Rosanna Gargiulo; Joaquin Mallmann Photography.

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