This custom home was designed for an empty-nester couple and will eventually become their retirement home. Situated at the top of a hill overlooking Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester, MA and the ocean beyond, the primary focus was to take advantage of the views from every level. The architect designed the couple’s previous home 25 years ago and when they decided to plan for their next home, they came back to him.
The resulting home contains almost 5,000 sq. ft. of finished living area with the potential for a future apartment in the partial walk-out basement. The desire was for a fairly traditional shingled exterior with an open sleek contemporary interior. Most of the interior finishes such as the doors, cabinetry, plumbing and light fixtures were imported from Italy.
The 1st floor master suite and other amenities allow for the couple to live all on one floor, with an elevator to bridge all floors when required. Each floor opens to a deck, with a roof deck topping off the home. This roof deck has panoramic views and an 8’ x 22’ combination swim-in-place lap pool and spa. This proved to be a structural challenge given the 11+ ton total weight when filled. Another design challenge was the strict height limit of the roof, dictated by city zoning. The height was maxed out while the roof was designed such that the roof deck and pool can not be seen from the front, while taking advantage of the ocean views to the rear.
Other amenities include an exercise room and sauna, billiard room, and theater for entertaining the couple’s large extended family. The home has become a resort-like gathering place for this close knit family, which was one of their primary goals.
