Presents
131 Beachy Cove Road - For Sale
White House
131 Beachy Cove Road
Portugal Cove / St. Philips
The White House, in Portugal Cove, Newfoundland, was built between 1820 and 1830 by/for Irish immigrant William White of Barony Forth, County Wexford. This would make this approximately 200-year-old house one of the earliest surviving residential structures on the island of Newfoundland. The property would remain within the White family for the next 160 years. Shortly after being designated a Registered Heritage Structure, the house was completely restored in 1994, under the capable direction of builder Garnet Kindervater and has been beautifully maintained by the present owner. This was an extraordinary restoration, including the full façade and hip roof. Pre-1920 photographs of the front and rear of the property were key in ensuring that the work was totally in keeping with the original design.
The White House contains traditional construction techniques employed by early Irish settlers in Newfoundland. Of particular note is the large open fireplace, also known as an inglenook or a corner chimney, which was contained within the center of the structure and is now a very rare example of Irish vernacular construction in the region. The thick walls of the fireplace are made of stone and essentially form a small room open on one side. The hearth floor is fitted with flagstone onto which an open fire would have been placed. Two original settle benches still line the interior side walls of the chimney. The mantle is original to the time of construction. Currently the interior of the fireplace has been fitted with a beautiful cast iron bodied Pacific Energy Alderlea wood stove which is installed to WETT standards, with appropriate paperwork by a master mason.
The kitchen includes a well-designed bump out overlooking the traditional garden area and piled stone walls that would have been removed from the fields by hand and horse by the early settlers. These traditional stone walls can be seen throughout the property, extending up through the woods. A southern facing exposure fills the kitchen with beautiful light all day long. There is a hallway connection to the living room and a front porch in the center with traditional windows and arched roof.
The half bathroom is conveniently located off the kitchen by the back porch. There are two bedrooms and a full bathroom with a traditional cast iron bath tub on the second floor.
The house is currently serviced by a well and septic tank but there is also a town water and sewer connection that extends from the street, up the driveway for easy connection to the house, if desired.
Those interested in a larger footprint should know that opportunities abound for a complementary extension to this registered heritage structure.
The property surrounding the house was at one time farmland, consisting of a barn, root cellar, milking shed, forge and meadows. The 2 acres of mature grounds are extraordinary and extremely private. The current landscape includes a diversity of trees and shrubs including Laburnum, Beech, Mountain Ash, Birch, Maple, Chuckley Pear, Cherry, Holly, Irish Ash, Pine, Black Current, Spruce and Fir.
The eastern boundary of the property is defined by a tranquil stream coming down the mountain and an adjacent fire-pit.
There is a wired and fully insulated 12x16 out building, heated by efficient fan forced electric heat and also complete with a stainless-steel chimney connection for a wood stove. This could serve a variety of uses such as workshop, studio, office, bunkie for guests, etc. The unique front window was salvaged from the Loyal Orange Lodge #44 in St Philips. The shed has a rear linhay addition ideal for storing firewood or for use as a potting/gardening shed. A second accessory building measures 8 by 15 and once again can serve a variety of uses.
Hikers will enjoy being only a 5 min walk from the world class East Coast Trail and a 10-minute walk to Beachy Cove. In addition, there is a connecting trail at the back of the property that will take you to the top of Beachy Cove Head for the most incredible views of Bell Island and Conception Bay, again connecting to the East Coast Trail. The White House is situated 10 minutes from St. John’s International Airport and just 20 minutes from downtown.
The White House and property evoke a sense of time and place. The history of the house has been well documented and preserved by the present and previous owner and is ready to be passed on to its new owners.
So, if one would enjoy very early vernacular Irish architecture at its best, on the most private of mature, homestead ready properties, this one clearly should warrant your immediate attention. The listing realtor has had an association with this special property since the early 1980’s, and would be pleased to host a private viewing.
The White House would be an extraordinary portfolio addition to those in the Airbnb/vacation home business.
Listing price $449,000
Please enjoy the additional photos and please call or text Chris O’Dea at 709-685-6559 at any time to arrange a private viewing
Enjoy the remaining photos
Click thumbnail below to enlarge image:
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