On the Market: A Swanky Farmhouse Perched on the Essex River

Peep this North Shore single-family home's hollowed-out roof deck and marshy views out to the ocean.

By Sofia Rivera· 8/19/2020, 10:32 a.m.

15 Lufkin Point Road, Essex
Price: $2,250,000
Size: 5,058 square feet
Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 5.5

At first glance, it may look like this home is missing a rather crucial part of its roof. But the reality is quite the opposite—the hollowed construction was an intentional choice made based on a trifecta of factors. First, the 5,000-square-foot home already contained ample storage space, so the bonus loft up in the rafters wasn’t necessary. And second and third, the owners wanted a pool deck with big-time sun exposure, but one that would feel out of the way during the non-summer seasons. And thus was born a fabulous roof deck complete with a heated lap pool, a sink, outdoor speakers, and a waterproof closet for storing cushions and grilling tools in the off-season. To reach the high-up lounge, you can either take the steel staircase from the yard below, or enter through a barn-style door on the second floor.

Inside, a neutral palette and polished fixtures transform the beachy farmhouse into a modern haven. Solid hickory hardwood flooring is outfitted with radiant heating and covered decks adorned in floor-to-ceiling mahogany soak up the sunshine beautifully. On top of the chef’s kitchen, which offers two ovens and a dedicated beverage area (hello, coffee bar or cocktail zone), there’s another kitchenette and dining area up on the second floor, meaning you don’t even have to take the stairs or hop in the elevator to entertain across levels. A walkout apartment on the lower level comprises a guest suite, home office, rec room, and wet bar. The builder chose vinyl planks for the floors with post-swim wet footprints in mind, and used mahogany beadboard detailing along some of the ceilings to tie the space into upper two levels.

And though it may be the most striking, the innovative deck isn’t the only interesting rooftop feature. Among the red cedar shingles and metal canopy, a rectangle covered in vegetation lives just outside the master bedroom. From the ensuite you can watch birds and butterflies flit around the green roof, while the family splashes around in the pool across the way.

Take a virtual tour here, and peruse some photo highlights below.

For information, contact Karen Bernier, Churchill Properties, churchillprop.com.