This distinguished 1814 brick townhome, located in the heart of historic downtown Portsmouth showcases Federal architectural style with timeless charm. Overlooking the Piscataqua River, Prescott Park, and Strawberry Banke Museum, it blends rich history with modern versatility. The four-story property offers 2,982 sq ft of space, with a unique mix of commercial and residential areas easily convertible to full residential use. Featuring high ceilings, exposed brick, a Rumford-style wood-burning fireplace, and private outdoor spaces with river views, this home is a rare downtown find. Offered below city assessment, it is listed for $2,489,000, perfect for those seeking a vibrant waterfront lifestyle with historic character.

Exterior Facade

Three-story building with a classic brick facade painted in a warm red tone contrasts with a neighboring light cream brick wall. Windows are symmetrically placed with white, simple trim framing six-over-six panes. A striking red door with an arched fanlight window above adds character to the entrance, complemented by white detailed crown molding. Black utility wires cross horizontally across the facade, adding an urban element. Adjacent structures and power lines visible create a neighborhood atmosphere. The juxtaposition of brick textures and colors along with the traditional window design emphasize a historic American architectural style.

Exterior Sunroom Addition

A raised sunroom extends from the side of the house, supported by classic white columns with a subtle base and capital design. The sunroom’s exterior walls are a mix of white paneled trim around large, double-hung windows featuring divided light panes, and mustard yellow clapboard siding on the side. Above, a white railing encloses what appears to be a rooftop deck area adorned with greenery. A metal exterior staircase runs along the left side, adding a functional yet industrial contrast. Bright natural sunlight enhances the clean lines and historic character against a clear blue sky backdrop.

Historic Street Facade

A row of historic brick and wood-clad buildings stretches along a quiet street, bathed in warm sunlight. The varied facades display red and cream brickwork with white trim, featuring multiple stories and classic sash windows. Decorative iron balconies and dormer windows punctuate the upper floors, while chimneys rise above pitched roofs, some painted bright yellow. Traditional gas lamp posts line the brick-paved sidewalks, bordered by low white picket fences and greenery. Power lines crisscross overhead, adding an urban texture. The overall aesthetic blends colonial-era charm with a well-preserved streetscape atmosphere.

Rear Exterior and Balcony

A rear view of a historic American home highlights a blend of brick, wood, and shingles. The lower level has a red brick facade with symmetrical white-framed windows and a white door opening onto a spacious balcony deck with white railing. Above this, a yellow-shuttered dormer window section stands out beneath a gray, steeply gabled roof. The balcony space offers a seamless outdoor extension. Adjacent green lawns and bushes create a contrasting natural touch, while an external black fire escape is visible on the left side, reflecting an industrial yet classic architectural charm.

Historic Town Overview

Aerial view of a historic town section highlighting traditional brick buildings lining the streets. The streets are broad with marked crosswalks and a spacious parking area near a circular park with a decorative centerpiece. The architecture predominantly features classic red brick construction with mansard roofs and dormer windows, giving a colonial and Federal-era vibe. Mature trees provide greenery, contrasting with the brick and asphalt, and the layout emphasizes walkability with wide sidewalks. The mix of small commercial and residential buildings suggests a close-knit community preserving its historic charm.

Garden Patio Corner

A small garden patio corner framed by two classic white columns on brick bases. The brick paver floor has small patches of grass growing between the stones, adding a rustic, natural touch. Various potted plants, including ferns and leafy green shrubs, are placed near the base of the columns and along the garden edge. A dark tall planter overflowing with delicate white flowers adds vertical interest. Behind the plants, a charming vine-covered fence creates a lush green backdrop. The mix of natural greenery and the colonial-style columns fuse historic elegance with a cozy, verdant outdoor space.

Riverside Townscape

A panoramic view of a historic riverside town is displayed, highlighting a mix of classic brick buildings and residential homes with pitched roofs. A prominent multi-lane road with gentle curves and a roundabout crosses near the waterfront, leading to an arched bridge over a calm river. Green spaces and mature trees are interspersed among the structures, softening the urban environment. The sky is partly cloudy, casting a soft and natural light over the scene. The architecture reflects a blend of traditional American styles with modern infrastructure, embodying a harmonious balance between history and contemporary life.

Street View from Balcony

The view overlooks a quiet, sunlit street framed by a white picket fence and green lawn, suggesting the vantage point is from a second-floor balcony or window. A mix of historic and modern elements appears in the scene: classic brick buildings with large windows, a steel bridge structure in the background, and a tree-lined park on the right providing lush greenery. The streets curve gently, with crosswalks and parked cars adding urban charm. Clear blue skies complement the red brick architecture and vibrant foliage, blending natural and built environments seamlessly.

Kitchen Island and Brick Wall

A solid wood kitchen island with a tile countertop stands centrally on warm-toned hardwood floors. The island includes side shelves suited for wine storage and multiple drawers and cabinets with black hardware. To the left, an exposed red brick wall adds rustic charm and texture, topped by a dark wood wall-mounted cabinet with open shelving. Above, robust wooden ceiling beams exhibit a distressed, weathered finish, and modern black track lighting runs along the ceiling. The opposite wall is painted a soft cream and features two symmetrical double-hung windows and a door with glass panes, flooding the space with natural light.

Kitchen Countertop and Cabinets

Natural wood kitchen cabinetry with classic black knobs contrasts strikingly against glossy white subway tile backsplash. A white farmhouse-style sink is nestled beneath two windows framed with white trim, providing ample natural light. The countertops are polished black, emphasizing clean lines and a modern touch. Exposed wooden ceiling beams add a rustic architectural element, harmonizing with the warm, honey-toned hardwood floor that runs diagonally beneath. White appliances including a dishwasher and electric stove maintain the room’s bright, inviting aesthetic while blending modern convenience with the historic charm of the space.

Living Room Entrance

Natural light floods the space through large sash windows in the adjoining room, framed by smooth white trim. The warm honey-toned wooden plank floor extends throughout, creating a sense of continuity and warmth. A distinctive exposed red brick wall with three tall, narrow openings forms a partial divider, adding rustic texture and historic character. The white walls and ceiling contrast with the bricks, highlighting their rich color and roughness. Crown molding and baseboard heating trace the perimeter, blending traditional elements with modern updates, while subtle track lighting illuminates the area softly from above.

Window Seating View

Three large, white-trimmed windows dominate the scene, allowing ample natural light to flood the interior space. Each window has multiple panes, evoking a classic, historic architectural style. Two nautical-themed model ships rest on the windowsills, adding a subtle maritime touch. The walls are painted in a soft gray tone, complementing the warm hues of the terracotta tiled flooring. A wooden chair with dark woven upholstery sits partially visible, hinting at a cozy seating area. Outside, a snowy street lined with trees and water in the distance creates a serene coastal backdrop.

Sunroom Corner Windows

Bright corner of a sunroom with four large, evenly spaced windows allowing abundant natural light to flood the space. Window frames are classic white wood with wide trim molding reflecting traditional craftsmanship. Walls painted in a muted gray softly contrast the warm terracotta floor tiles. The tiled floor has a distinct central mosaic pattern featuring a compass rose design, adding a historic and artistic touch. Baseboard heaters run along the walls beneath the windows. The space conveys a tranquil atmosphere, blending natural light, warm earth tones, and subtle historic flair in a cozy reading or relaxation nook.

Empty Bedroom with Hardwood Floors

Wide-plank hardwood flooring, aged with a warm honey tone, extends across the room, showing character and historic appeal. Soft beige walls provide a neutral backdrop, complemented by white trim and doorframes. Two closets with white louvered doors flank a central white door, each featuring classic brass knobs. A simple yet elegant wrought iron chandelier with eight candle-like bulbs hangs from the ceiling, subtly illuminating the space. A baseboard radiator runs along one wall, connected to multiple electrical outlets and light switches. Open entry leads to a bright adjoining room, suggesting a spacious, airy layout conducive to flexible living arrangements.

Empty Bedroom Corner

Two large, double-hung windows with divided panes allow ample natural light to fill the space, highlighting the rich, honey-toned wide plank wooden floors that display distinctive knots and grain patterns, indicative of historic craftsmanship. The walls are painted a soft, neutral cream, enhancing the room’s bright and airy feel. Classic baseboard moldings wrap the room, framing the windows and complementing the early American design. A wrought iron chandelier with candle-style bulb fixtures hangs centrally, adding vintage charm and an elegant touch to this unfurnished room. Radiator heating lines run along the base of the walls, blending functionality with period authenticity.

Laundry Area and Bathroom Entry

A compact laundry nook is fitted with stacked Miele washer and dryer units behind bi-fold louvered doors, painted white to blend with the trim. The washer’s clear door and the dryer’s smooth front add a modern touch. Adjacent to this space is an open door revealing a small bathroom with white tile flooring and dark taupe walls that create a contrast. The bathroom contains a white toilet and a wall-mounted sink, complemented by a circular mirror and a simple wall sconce. Warm honey-toned hardwood floors extend outside the laundry and bathroom area, contributing to a cozy ambiance.

Bathroom Corner

The bathroom displays a compact layout with a vintage pedestal sink and a traditional white toilet. The walls are painted in a deep, rich charcoal gray, adding a modern and bold contrast to the pure white fixtures. A round mirror with a thin black frame hangs above the sink, reflecting some natural light and softening the dark wall color. Adjacent to the toilet, a metallic towel ring and a toilet paper holder provide functional touches in sleek chrome. The shower area is enclosed with frosted glass doors framed in polished silver, ensuring privacy while maintaining brightness and clean lines throughout the space.

Upper Room with Storage

Natural light floods this cozy upper-level room through a row of four large multi-pane windows, each framed in clean white trim. The ceiling slopes gently upward, painted in a soft cream tone that complements the warm honey-colored wide-plank wooden floorboards. Along one wall, built-in white cabinetry with drawers of varying sizes fits seamlessly under the stair slope, blending practical storage with architectural charm. The walls are painted a neutral light beige, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. Simple white baseboard moldings and electrical outlets blend unobtrusively into the understated classic design.

Upstairs Room Corner

Two adjacent double-hung windows with white trim allow natural light into this small upstairs room, which has soft gray walls and bright, polished wide-plank pine flooring. A central chimney breast juts into the space, creating two distinct windowed alcoves. The baseboard heating runs along the walls, including beneath a sloped ceiling on the right side, shaping a cozy nook. Electrical outlets are visible at floor level, and the room’s combination of clean lines, traditional wood floors, and neutral tones suggests a simple, versatile space ready for customization.

Bathroom Vanity Area

A compact bathroom vanity with a white sink and chrome faucet sits under a rounded rectangular mirror framed in gold. Two wall sconces with clear, textured glass shades flank the mirror, casting warm light against soft gray-blue walls. To the left of the sink, a rustic wooden side table with a drawer adds a touch of natural texture to the space. On the right, a black wire storage shelf holds bathroom essentials, including folded towels and a soap dispenser, blending functionality with a minimalist, slightly vintage aesthetic. The overall feel is cozy and modern.

Bathroom Vanity

A narrow bathroom space painted in soft blue with a small white vanity cabinet and sink centered below an oval mirror. The mirror’s aged frame and the exposed brick reflected in it add a rustic, historic charm contrasting with the light modern paint. Flanking the mirror are two wall sconces with dark fixtures and crystal shades, providing bright illumination. To the left, a chrome towel ring is mounted on the wall. The door to the bathroom is open, revealing a brass doorknob and classic panel design. The floor appears to be tiled with earth-tone squares complementing the overall subdued color palette.

Stairway Landing

A small stairway landing defined by an exposed rustic brick accent wall that adds texture and historic character. The flooring consists of wide wooden planks with a natural honey finish, complementing the earthy tones of the bricks. White painted trim and walls contrast softly with the brick, enhancing the light and airy atmosphere. A simple black metal handrail curves upward along the stairs, blending contemporary minimalism with the aged aesthetics of the space. Baseboard heating runs along the floor, blending unobtrusively into the design. The understated layout highlights the charm of original materials and craftsmanship.

Stairway and Hallway

A narrow stairway with dark carpeting leads upward beside an exposed brick wall, which adds a textured, historic charm. The stair railing is wooden with a polished finish, contributing warmth to the space. Opposite the stairs, the hallway walls are painted a muted beige with white wainscoting below, offering a classic, elegant contrast. Recessed ceiling lights softly illuminate the passage. The hallway stretches towards a pastel-colored door at the end, with a round mirror subtly reflecting light along the wall, enhancing the corridor’s depth and inviting feel.

Window View

An open window frames a clear, sunny day overlooking a small urban park and a curved street. The scene includes a brick office building with large, green-tinted windows and arched upper-floor openings. Adjacent structures hint at a mix of historic and modern architecture, with a church-like building visible in the distance. Trees and a grassy area soften the urban setting, contrasted by the orderly rows of parked cars and crosswalk signs. Power lines slice across the view, adding an element of everyday city life to this tranquil vantage point.

Hallway with Bathroom Entry

A narrow hallway painted in soft yellow leads to multiple doorways. The flooring consists of light-colored square tiles with a matching tile baseboard around the perimeter. White door frames and trim contrast with both the yellow wall of the hallway and the gray wall adjacent on the right side. One open doorway reveals a small bathroom sink beneath a framed mirror, with visible plumbing underneath. The door knobs are classic brass, enhancing the vintage feel. The overall aesthetic blends muted warm tones with clean, simple architectural details typical of early American homes.

Home Office Corner

Two large, white-trimmed windows allow bright natural light to fill the space, emphasizing the warm beige walls and honey-toned wooden floors. A vintage yellow armchair with intricate wood carvings sits to the left, adding a historical and elegant touch. Centered against the wall is a dark wood desk with a black metal hutch for organizing papers, paired with a simple black folding chair. In the foreground, a black kitchen island or cabinet with paneled doors and a thick butcher block countertop contrasts the lighter room tones, blending classic and modern elements harmoniously.

Listing Agent: Liz Nickerson of Carey Giampa, LLC/Rye via Zillow