On the Market: A Converted Carnegie Library in Rockport
No need to fret over a library card or overdue fees when you reside in this home, which is Rockport’s former public library.
Photo via Nest Real Estate
18 Jewett St., Rockport
Price: $2,950,000
Size: 3,882
Bedrooms: 4
Baths: 3.5
If going to a great library feels like coming home, this dwelling should be the perfect fit for you. Beyond the thousands of stories the building used to house, the edifice itself has a history of its own: Famed steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie commissioned the construction in 1904 to serve as Rockport’s Public Library. While the library has since moved across town, Carnegie’s contribution still stands, now as a stately private residence.
From the outside, the locally quarried granite structure still boasts the sturdy grandeur of a public library. And the entry hall doesn’t let down—a rotunda paved with Italian mosaic flooring and encircled by Ionic columns welcomes guests into the historical home. But take a few steps further, and notice how the art-filled interior seamlessly combines classic architecture with livable luxury.
Stunning hardwood floors, a farmhouse sink, and a glass chandelier adorn the kitchen, while a whirlpool soaking tub, walk-in shower and marble tiles bedeck the bathrooms. Plus, see if you can spot the occasional wall of exposed granite in the bedrooms.
Of course, living in this old library also means residing on the charming beachside town that is Rockport. From the home’s steps, it’s a one-minute amble over to the Shalin Liu Performance Center, a stunning venue for concerts ranging from jazz to folk, and a three-minute saunter down to the shore. Or, stay home and sea-gaze from the home’s perfectly positioned veranda, where you can pull up a chair and enjoy a good book.
For information, contact Syndi Zaiger, Nest Real Estate, nestrealestate.com
Photo via Nest Real Estate
Photo via Nest Real Estate
Photo via Nest Real Estate
Photo via Nest Real Estate
Photo via Nest Real Estate
Photo via Nest Real Estate
Photo via Nest Real Estate
Photo via Nest Real Estate
Photo via Nest Real Estate
Photo via Nest Real Estate
Photo via Nest Real Estate
Photo via Nest Real Estate
Photo via Nest Real Estate
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