The remaking of the Asticou - or Tim Harrington's Xanadu on the Harbor
OTHER NEWS: Nantucket bars investors from buying STRs; Charlotte Gill wants DOT to let locals repair Seawall Road; Leo flies flag of insurrection
NORTHEAST HARBOR, May 24, 2024 - You’re gonna need a bigger screen.
My 27-inch Dell monitor couldn’t illuminate details of the sketch plan for the Asticou Inn rebuild which is essentially a teardown, save the original facade.
You’re also gonna want to magnify every inch of this Xanadu on the Harbor to appreciate its scale.
With the help of the town office staff, I was able to obtain this scan of the proposal which awaits Planning Board consideration June 12.
The Asticou is getting “Kennebunked” by developer Tim Harrington, who similarly transformed nine properties in Kennebunkport over two decades before selling that collection to a private equity firm just weeks before the national emergency was declared in 2020 for the pandemic.
His playbook is being executed with eerie similarity on MDI after he acquired the Claremont Hotel in Southwest Harbor in September 2020 and the Colony Cottages in Hull’s Cove in 2022 - now called the Salt Cottages.
By the summer of 2025, the Asticou’s great lawn will be replaced by 18 rooms surrounding an indoor pool and a spa.
The lawn which served generations of mariners as a lodestar when they returned to the harbor will also be ringed by 15 cottages with a South Beach sensibility.
I stayed at the Asticou in 1984 at the suggestion of a Boston Globe colleague. It cost $35 a night. As recently as 2018, I got an room with an ocean view for $89. Similar rooms at the Claremont is now booking between $800 and $1,200 a night.
Like a chapter out of Hawthorne novel, I remember an elderly woman at lunch in the dining room whose last course was always a glass of sherry. I did not see her at dinner.
That would be “Mrs. Fay” - Mrs. W. Rodman Fay - who was 96 then. She was part of the family which owned a music publishing business for 100 years, G. Schirmer. (Mrs. Fay, nee Gertrude Helen Schirmer, died in 1992 at the age of 103.)
The lore of the place is extensive.
On Thursday nights, the Asticou would be swinging to the music of the Michael Carney band on the creaky, outdoor deck where Bill Taylor’s mother-in-law whipped me around like I was her toy puppet. (Bill Taylor was the publisher of the Globe, where I worked.)
The Village of Northeast Harbor was much more intimate in the prewar days when Knowles Company published a map and directory of everyone who summered here.
According to history published on the inn’s website, “Augustus Chase Savage and Emily Manchester Savage built their home atop a hill overlooking the harbor. This cottage is now known as Cranberry Lodge and is the oldest of the buildings in use today. In 1870, the Savages began housing boarders, and so began the tradition of lodging at the Asticou-Inn.”
“In the early 1960’s, both the Asticou-Inn and Kimball House, also in Northeast Harbor, were sold to the Asti-Kim Corporation. This group was composed of local businesspeople, and summer residents who wished to see the tradition of the large hotels preserved for the future. As large hotels fell out of favor with the advent of the motel, it seemed only one of the two could survive.”
The Kimball House was torn down, and the pandemic took its toll on the Asticou.
Asti-Kim was able to secure two rounds of funding from the Paycheck Protection Program totaling $685,914. In its latest annual public filing, it reported revenues of only $2,065,805 and a staff of 73.
On June 7, 2023 the QSJ reported that hotelier Tim Harrington was negotiating to buy the Asticou to complete the takeover of the island’s two historic inns. That deal was closed on July 12, according to the Hancock County Registry of Deeds. The price was $7.75 million, according to Mainebiz.
Harrington’s remaking of the historic Claremont Hotel in Southwest Harbor in 2021 has won him fans and detractors. I swung both ways on this question.
The remodeling of the Claremont in the winter of 2021 was a truly herculean effort, in that it took him less than a year at the height of the pandemic. The end product was spectacular. I chatted with him on opening night and marveled at how he was able to remove the stanchions in the middle of the dining room to create one of the most spectacular spaces in Maine, if not the world - a panorama of Somes Sound from every table.
His creation of “Harry’s Bar,” a nod to the famous bar in Venice, was a nice touch.
The building and its interior were transcendent even though locals - like me - could no longer reserve a room for under $100.
Where Harrington lost me was the faux replicate of a Miami Beach Marriott with its poolside cabanas for which there is the opportunity for a $200 upcharge.
Harrington ended a 100-year tradition at the Claremont and its legendary croquet tournaments on two courts. One small court still exist.
“I have long understood the power and draw of this small but impactful region of the world,” Harrington told Mainebiz about his purchase of the Asticou. “For more than a century, this iconic inn has welcomed guests to the foothills of Acadia … We’ll thoughtfully restore the property for today’s travelers while maintaining the integrity of its formidable presence along Northeast Harbor.” (The key words were “today’s travelers” - the glitterati very much unlike the understated Blue Blood families of the ilk of Mrs. Fay.)
Code Enforcement Officer Kim Keene told the Bangor Daily News that the inn will no longer have staff housing on site. Previously, there were 31 guest rooms and 19 staff rooms in the main building, but after the renovations, all 50 will be exclusively for guests, Keene was quoted as saying.
That begs the question of where the staff will live? The expanded inn is expected to hire up to 120 workers.
Could MDI copy Nantucket’s ban of investors in local housing stock?
MOUNT DESERT - Could a Nantucket model work here? And in Tremont?
Both towns recently rejected proposed ordinances to require licensing of short-term vacation rentals, but many also agreed that investors from out of town buying up housing stock for the sole purpose of using them as Airbnb fodder was a problem.
On May 7, Nantucket approved a ban on the “corporate ownership” of short-term rentals.
The Nantucket Current reported, “Article 60 was a general bylaw amendment proposed by the Select Board as a compromise with the sponsors of competing citizen petitions related to short-term rental restrictions. The warrant article was adopted with 592 votes in favor and 545 opposed.”
It was intended to “prohibit additional corporate ownership and discourage investment-only ownership of residential properties for the exclusive purpose of operating them as short-term rentals rather than housing for either full-time or part-time residences.”
The bylaw amendment also prohibits new short-term rentals in housing units designated as affordable housing or income-restricted.
Less than two weeks after the vote, one of the largest operators of short-term rentals on Nantucket put nearly its entire island real estate portfolio on the market, the Current reported.
Ten of the dozen Nantucket properties owned and operated as vacation rentals by The Copley Group were listed for sale May 19 by The Maury People Sotheby's International Realty, ranging in price from $3.99 million up to $5.99 million. Combined, The Copley Group is seeking $38.9 million for the 10 Nantucket properties.
Island voters rejected a zoning bylaw amendment that would have allowed short-term rentals by right in all residential zoning districts, and then approved the ban on corporate ownership of short-term rentals.
Leonard Leo flies same flag as Alito
NORTHEAST HARBOR - Historian Heather Cox Richardson wrote today,
“It turns out that Supreme Court justice Samuel Alito is not the only one flying an ‘Appeal to Heaven’ flag. Leonard Leo, the man behind the extremist takeover of the American judiciary, also flew that flag at his home on Mount Desert Island in Maine.
“So now we have the Appeal to Heaven flag, which represents the idea that the 2020 election was stolen, that the people should engage in armed revolution against tyranny, and that the United States should be a nation based in Christian theology, in front of the office of House speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and over the houses of Supreme Court justice Samuel Alito and the architect of the right-wing theocratic takeover of the federal courts, Leonard Leo.”
Charlotte Gill wants DOT to move aside and let locals repair Seawall Road
SOUTHWEST HARBOR - The owner of the lobster pound at Seawall wants the state to stand down and allow locals to repair Seawall Road, which was closed after severe storms in January.
Charlotte Buchanan Gill, owner of Charlotte’s Legendary Lobster Pound, wrote on Facebook, “If the state has chosen NOT to fix the Seawall section of road, even for this season, it should then legally abandon it and allow the people and towns of Tremont and Southwest Harbor to fix it and maintain it at our expense.
“It is a small stretch and over five times the amount needed to repair has already been raised by private sources. This is our road, our livelihood, our safety, our love, our peace of mind, and out tax dollars.”
Town Manager Marilyn Lowell said the town has no agency over the road owned and maintained by the state. The road is the main access to Acadia National Park’s campground in Seawall and two highly trafficked trails.
“Seawall Road is a major artery connecting the bodies of Southwest Harbor and Tremont that is our life blood and soul food,” Gill wrote. “DOT acted irresponsibly by using available funding and fixing it prematurely before the last of the storms had passed through for the season.
“It should now be fixed as it has been fixed for the last 50 years, with the knowledge, that until something more permanent comes along that this method will have to be repeated. The DOT can NOT have it both ways. They either keep the road and maintain it, or they abandon it and let us do it. I will be starting a petition soon to push this matter forward. It will be available on both the Charlotte's Legendary Lobster Pound and Seawall Motel and Suites FB pages when available. Follow both places and share this post please. Let’s get this done.”
TRIBUTE: Edith S. "Edie" Mann
1925 - 2024
Edith S. "Edie" Mann
1925 - 2024
SOMESVILLE - Edith "Edie" S. Mann, 99, died unexpectedly May 5, 2024, at her residence in Somesville, alongside her dog and companion, Odie. She was born April 16, 1925, in Hilo, Territory of Hawaii, daughter of Hitsuji and Suma (Tsuda) Kawasaki.
Edie graduated from Hilo High School, class of 1944. She received her nursing degree from St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing in Kankakee, Illinois in 1948. Shortly thereafter, she married Roger L. Mann. They had one daughter, Barbara A. (Mann) Eysie.
The family moved to Franklin, MA, where Edie was employed with the Norwood Hospital. She retired at the hospital after 36 years of service, most of those years as a nurse supervisor. Edie continued to be friends with many associates until the end. This time of her life was so special, she reminisced often with stories.
After vacationing in Maine for several years with her husband, Roger, in 1988 they decided to live their remaining days on Mount Desert Island. After 54 years of marriage, Roger passed away in 2002.
Gardening was Edie's second love. She was a gardener for others, up until three years ago. Her nursing skills showed even in her gardening, saving the old and troubled plants.
Edie is survived by her dear sister, Tsukiko "Ruth" Komoto; special niece, Carrie (Duane) Hedlind; several nieces and nephews; dear friends, Rodney and Debbie Miller and Family; Dr. Rodney and Ardis Ono and Family; Marie Blanchard; and Judith Burger Gossart.
Edie is also predeceased by her loving daughter, Barbara A. Eysie; grandson, Michael L. Bennett; son- in-law, Michael Eysie; brother, Tamie Kawasaki; and brother-in-law, Shoroku "Dan" Komoto.
Edie had a way of coming into your life, and then becoming part of your life. We will be having a Celebration of Life on Sunday, July 28, 2024, between the hours of 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Suminsby Park on Somes Sound. Guests may arrive at their leisure, dress is casual.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
TRIBUTE: Sam Callahan
1947 - 2024
BAR HARBOR - Sam (Neil) Callahan, 77 passed away unexpectedly at home on May 16, 2024. He was born January 5, 1947, in Malden, MA, the son of John P. and Rita L. (Coakley) Callahan
Sam grew up in Lynn, Massachusetts playing varsity baseball and being invited to try out for the Minnesota Twins. Uninterested in pursuing a baseball career he had a short stint as a mail carrier and a later as a golf pro before looking to Maine.
Arriving in Bar Harbor nearly fifty years ago, Sam and his devoted wife Sonya successfully operated as a team. For years Sam helped build a number of houses and buildings in and around Bar Harbor. Later he and Sonya began to establish their own enterprises. Their first enterprise, the Orange Cuckoo, was an eclectic gift shop operated during the 80’s and a mainstay of downtown Bar Harbor. Sam, a skilled carpenter, and builder employed his talents to make the store fun to visit and interesting to explore. Later, Sam and Sonya established a short-term rental property long before anyone had ever heard of Airbnb. Once again, Sam’s carpentry talents were essential to the success of the enterprise, as his “efficiency” with materials was legendary. While keeping the buildings shipshape, Sam still made time to make all the guests feel like family, including sourcing last minute fresh lobster for a guest’s party.
More important than the success of the business was Sam’s nature. He was the consummate positive man. Adversity seemed to energize him. He would spread his good cheer to anyone he interacted with: the market cashier, the store clerk or just someone on the street. Sam would offer a wisecrack or an absurd reference - just to get people out of their ruts. The effect was almost magical. Once you met Sam, your day was going to be better.
In addition to his love of humanity, Sam was a caring dog lover. He and Sonya traveled far and wide to find a home for rescue dogs, taking in animals and treating them like royalty.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years Sonya (Clatworthy) Callahan, brother William “Bill” Callahan, of Lynnfield, MA. He was predeceased by his brother John P. Callaham, Jr.
A service of remembrance will be held in the summer. Gifts in Sam’s memory may be made to Peace Ridge Sanctuary, 1111 Littlefield Rd, Brooks, ME 04921.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
TRIBUTE: Eleanor Anne Horner
2024 - 2024
BASS HARBOR - Eleanor Anne (Kujawski) Horner died Monday, May 6, 2024. Born on Aug. 25, 1929, in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Aloysius and Adelle (Salukas) Kujawski.
Eleanor moved with her family to Maine in 1973 to earn a master’s degree in math at the University of Maine, Orono. The family loved Maine and made it their home. After earning her degree, she found herself at the chalkboards at UMO and Husson University teaching math. She also was the director of government grants, Title III, and Title IV.
She is survived by daughter, Claire Grindle, of Southwest Harbor; son, David Horner and wife, Jennifer, of Bass Harbor; granddaughter, Joann Jurney and husband, Joe, of Surf City, N.C.; grandson, Luke Horner, of Tremont; granddaughters Grace Horner and Alli Beth Horner of Bass Harbor; great-granddaughter, Shiloh Jurney, of Surf City, N.C.; sister, Leona Altiero, of Shenandoah, Penn.; and brother, Joseph Kujawski and wife, Mary, of Arizona.
She was predeceased by her husband, Leonard W. Horner after 50 years together; and two brothers, Aloysius L. Kujawski, who was killed in World War II and is buried in France, and John G. Kujawski, who is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in recognition of his service to this country.
Services will be private.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
Hope the Asticou Inn survives with some resemblance to the original. In my book their most famous visitor was the writer Willa Cather, who spent summers at Asticou during WWII because travel to her summer place outside US was restricted during the War.
That would have been Bill Taylor’s mother in law.