Another Islesboro mansion tops Maine’s house market

180-Abrams-Mountain-RoadFor the second time in as many years — and at least the third time in the past 15 years — an Islesboro mansion has been identified as the most expensive house for sale in Maine.

But it’s not just the same house that keeps going back on the market. Each time, it has been a different house on the 14-mile long Penobscot Bay island.

Last year, it was the Grace Estate on the island’s Keller Point that, according to Business Insider, was considered “a steal” at only $9.5 million. The lavish 17-room mansion, built in 1918 for the daughter of the late New York City mayor and businessman William Russell Grace, includes eight bedrooms, a library, a billiards room, two laundry rooms, a pool, gardens and even a putting green.

Fifteen years ago, Mitchell Cottage topped the list of pricey properties being offered for sale. The 18,000 square-foot mansion with 15 fireplaces had been owned by Hollywood couple Kirstie Alley and Parker Stevenson from 1991 until their divorce seven years later, at which point Stevenson became the sole owner. In 2001, it was on the market for $7.8 million.

This year, it is an 8,000 square-foot home on 15 acres of land near Hewes Point that carries the heaviest residential price tag in all of Maine, according to Forbes magazine. The mansion at 180 Abrams Mountain Road, built in 2006, has been listed furnishings and all — including two Steinway pianos — for $10.9 million.

But it might not go for that much. The property, which includes expansive Japanese garden-style landscaping and a separate tea house on the grounds, is being put up for auction on Saturday, June 25th. You can find more information on the property and auction by visiting the DeCaro Luxury Auctions website, or by watching this slick video:

Part of Waldo County, Islesboro has a year-round population of more than 600 residents but for the past century also has been known (as have many coastal communities in Maine) for attracting well-heeled summer visitors. Among them are another Hollywood couple, John Travolta and Kelly Preston, who in 1991 bought Gripsholm Manor, George W. C. Drexel’s former estate near Decker Point.

Want to learn more about these Islesboro mansions and other multi-million dollar homes in Maine? Check out this custom Google map I made:

Bill Trotter

About Bill Trotter

A news reporter in coastal Maine for more than 20 years, Bill Trotter writes about how the Atlantic Ocean and the state's iconic coastline help to shape the lives of coastal Maine residents and visitors. He writes about fisheries, marine-related topics, eastern coastal Maine communities and more for the BDN. He lives in Ellsworth. Follow him on Twitter at @billtrotter.