A Prism in the Wood
An award winning architecturally designed home nestled in the woods of Mt. Desert, through which passes the constantly changing light of the Maine seasons. The house is a frame of steel tubes completely enclosed in glass with the living spaces within floating like platforms through the grid.
A light steel stair reaches up through the steel tubes to the second floor and a further spiral stair connects to the owner’s private quarters on the uppermost level. The levels are also connected by a free-standing glass elevator, colored in red, like the traditional London phone booths.
The ceilings are of unfinished fir planks and the floors of maple. All materials and finishes are hypoallergenic or chemically neutral.
The structure is anchored at one end by the concrete mass of the fireplace that serves on the outside as a giant scupper carrying off the rainwater from the long sloping roof. Standing on light steel extensions of the interior frame the house floats above the forest floor, visually and physically connected at the entrance by massive slabs of granite.
The property is a few (ca. 500) steps away from the tip of Somes Sound on Mount Desert island. All the facilities of Acadia National Park are a few minutes away, and it is literally possible to walk into the park or enter the park with a kayak from Somes Sound.
This stunning property has been published several times in architecture magazines, books and on the NYT.
It is the perfect place to relax at the end of and active day in the park. Centrally located in Mount Desert, it lies at about 500 meters from the top tip of Some Sound.
The prior owner used the house as permanent residence, so can be fully experienced in winter as well.
On the ground floor there are two entrances, one foyer connected with a trail to the visitor parking and another entrance into the office/den that is on one side connected to the vast garage and on the other side to the main living space.
The main living space has ceilings variable from 14 to 20 feet high, with two walls one facing the other made exclusively of windows. In this space there is the kitchen, hidden behind a wooden block, and renovated in 2023 with Boffi furniture, the dining area and a living area. The wooden block has ample cupboards for storage.
From the kitchen area a sliding door leads to a 8x8 feet pantry with a refrigerator, home appliances and several shelves for storing groceries.
FIRST FLOOR: Enter into a light and modern great room. Comfortable seating by the gas fireplace with a nearby screened in porch. Dining area with a large round table and seating for six. Boffi Kitchen, renovated in December 2023, with sleek appliances, gas stove and spacious pantry. Home office space with access to a large garage with two large floor-to-ceiling windows. Half bath.
SECOND FLOOR: Open, loft style bedroom with Queen bed. Full bath with shower renovated in 2026.
THIRD FLOOR: Master bedroom with Queen bed, and full bath with shower renovated in 2024. Accessible thru the elevator or a spiral staircase from the second floor.
BASEMENT with laundry machine, dryer and ironing board.
EXTRAS: Large garage directly connected with the house. NO AIR CONDITIONING. Ceiling fans for the summer (3 in the main living room and one in each of the bedrooms).
The house has a proven history of rentals thru VRBO and Airbnb, throughout the year, that can be showed to interested parties.
WARNINGS
Please be aware that travelers have in the past complained for the following:
1. “Mattress on the top is way too firm”. Comment: I confirm it is very firm, but this is how I like. Mattress toppers available, if so desired
2. Some guests have noted that due to heights, the house might not be suited for children younger than 7 years old. Photos are accurate, you can assess by yourself. The main staircase is long and tall.
For sale by owner
$1,145,000
71 Parker Farm Rd, Mount Desert, ME 04660
2beds
2,180sqft
Est.:
SingleFamily
Built in 1993
6.51 Acres Lot
$1,125,500 Zestimate®
$525/sqft
$-- HOA
What's special
Nearby screened in porchFloors of maple
What the owner loves about this home
The location in the middle of nature and the outstanding architecture that allows to experience the change of the light across the times of the day and the seasons.
Strong spotlights can lit the outside at night, giving the impression of literally floating in nature.
- 1 day |
- 752 |
- 55 |
Listed by:
Property Owner (401) 338-0920
Facts & features
Interior
Bedrooms & bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 2
- Bathrooms: 3
- Full bathrooms: 2
- 1/2 bathrooms: 1
Heating
- Heat pump, Radiant, Gas, Propane / Butane
Cooling
- None
Appliances
- Included: Dishwasher, Dryer, Freezer, Microwave, Range / Oven, Refrigerator, Washer
Features
- Elevator, Pantry
- Flooring: Hardwood
- Basement: Finished
- Has fireplace: Yes
Interior area
- Total interior livable area: 2,180 sqft
Property
Parking
- Total spaces: 5
- Parking features: Garage - Attached, Off-street
- Details: Attached, 2 Car, Direct Entry to Living, Auto Door Opener, Storage Above, Heated
Features
- Patio & porch: Screened
- Exterior features: Other, Wood, Metal
- Has view: Yes
- View description: Park
Lot
- Size: 6.51 Acres
Details
- Additional structures: Garage(s)
- Parcel number: MTDSM010L181003
- Zoning description: RW2
Construction
Type & style
- Home type: SingleFamily
- Architectural style: Contemporary
Materials
- Roof: Metal
Condition
- New construction: No
- Year built: 1993
Utilities & green energy
- Water: Private
- Utilities for property: Water Connected
Community & HOA
HOA
- Amenities included: Elevator(s)
Location
- Region: Mount Desert
Financial & listing details
- Price per square foot: $525/sqft
- Tax assessed value: $726,300
- Annual tax amount: $6,755
- Date on market: 5/3/2026
Estimated market value
$1,125,500
$1.01M - $1.25M
$2,725/mo
Price history
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5/3/2026 | Listed for sale | $1,145,000+52.7%$525/sqft |
Source: Owner Report a problem | ||
| 4/24/2020 | Sold | $750,000-16.2%$344/sqft |
Source: | ||
| 8/30/2019 | Price change | $895,000-3.2%$411/sqft |
Source: The Knowles Company #1356555 Report a problem | ||
| 6/22/2018 | Listed for sale | $925,000$424/sqft |
Source: The Knowles Company #1356555 Report a problem | ||
Public tax history
| Year | Property taxes | Tax assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,755 +6.7% | $726,300 |
| 2023 | $6,333 +8.5% | $726,300 |
| 2022 | $5,839 +8.3% | $726,300 +11.2% |
| 2021 | $5,391 +3.4% | $653,400 |
| 2020 | $5,214 +0.4% | $653,400 |
| 2019 | $5,195 +3.7% | $653,400 |
| 2018 | $5,012 +3.4% | $653,400 |
| 2017 | $4,848 +2.1% | $653,400 |
| 2016 | $4,750 +2.2% | $653,400 |
| 2015 | $4,646 +4.9% | $653,400 |
| 2013 | $4,430 +13.8% | $653,400 +3.7% |
| 2012 | $3,892 +6% | $629,800 |
| 2010 | $3,672 -0.3% | $629,800 |
| 2009 | $3,684 +2.6% | $629,800 |
| 2008 | $3,590 | $629,800 |
Find assessor info on the county website
Monthly payment
Est. payment
$6,745/mo
Principal & interest
$5905
Property taxes
$840
More affordability tools
Climate risks
Neighborhood: 04660
Nearby schools
GreatSchools rating
- 10/10Mt Desert Elementary SchoolGrades: PK-8Distance: 4.4 mi
- 8/10Mt Desert Island High SchoolGrades: 9-12Distance: 2.2 mi
A local agent can set up tours, give advice and negotiate with sellers.
A local lender can help you make sure your offer is ready when you are.
- Maine
- Hancock County
- Mount Desert
- 04660
- 71 Parker Farm Rd






