Posted on 09/01/2015 9:20:57 AM PDT by COUNTrecount
KENNEBUNKPORT — A New England shingle-style house is being built for likely Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush on his family’s compound at Walker’s Point.
The two-story, 3,000-square-foot house, which is expected to be finished this summer, is the ninth residential building on the site, and neighbors are taking it in stride.
photo-store
The Boston Globe reported Sunday that the house – referred to as a cottage in planning documents – is estimated to cost $600,000 and sits on a 1.3-acre site assessed by the town at $1.4 million.
Locals, many of whom only reluctantly talk about their presidential neighbors to protect their privacy, say they are just glad the Bushes appear to be strengthening their roots in this seaside town by making room for future generations of the family.
“I didn’t have a clue who it was for,” said Kathy Anuszewski, owner of Port Lobster Co., which is about a mile away from Walker’s Point on Ocean Avenue.
The home is being built by Terry Philbrick Building and Remodeling Inc. of Kennebunkport, a three-generation contractor for the Bush family. Philbrick built a similar, smaller, two-story house on the point in 2013 for Marvin Bush, the youngest son of former President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush. Construction photos of that building, designed by a Virginia architectural firm, are on Philbrick’s Facebook page.
The cottage for Jeb Bush, a former governor of Florida, was designed by Wells architect Kristi Kenney of KW Architects.
She said Sunday that designing a house for such a politically prominent family was an intimidating assignment but one that has gone smoothly.
“It is very scary, but I am very honored to be able to work with them,” Kenney said in a telephone interview.
Kenney said the idea was to keep the design simple and match the other eight residential buildings on the compound, which was bought by the 41st president’s great-grandfather in the late 19th century.
“And we wanted to take advantage of the views, which are amazing from every window,” said Kenney.
The biggest building on the compound is the 7,100-square-foot, 12-room house built in 1920 that dominates Walker’s Point. Jeb Bush’s house is the second largest on the property. It is supposed to be finished sometime in July, said Kenney.
Kenney said she mainly worked with family intermediaries on the design and did not know how much direct involvement Jeb Bush – who owns one other home, in Coral Gables, Florida – has had on the project. She said she does know his daughters-in-law helped make some decorating decisions, such as paint colors and lighting.
Patricia Taylor, who lives near the Bush compound and was walking her golden Lab, Andros, on Sunday afternoon on Ocean Avenue, said she doesn’t have an opinion about the Jeb Bush house. She said as long as the new building blends in, it doesn’t matter to her what the Bushes do.
“As long as it is done well,” she said.
Tourists who had stopped Sunday at a popular parking area that overlooks Walker’s Point said they were unaware that the new house was destined for Jeb Bush. The house, which is about halfway shingled, appears to be almost complete on the outside.
Lenny Drury of New Orleans said he was surprised at the understated style of the entire compound.
“I have seen some fancier places than this,” said Drury, a Republican who said Jeb Bush’s new summer cottage would have absolutely no influence on his vote.
That’s greenboard on the bottom. They haven’t shingled it yet.
A house? A cottage? Wouldn’t that be “hacienda”?
Actually it’s called zip Wall. It’s solid wood sheathing with housewrap laminated to one side. (The green stuff) The tape completes that wrap for great air sealing.
Voter rule #1: never vote for any candidate whose family owns “compound”.
Maybe he should head down to Uruguay, Paraguay, or wherever the bush clan has their south american ranch at. He'd fit right in with all of the local NWO socialist dictators there.
THere’s something creepy about the difference in scale in that picture.
They’re only rising in Florida and Alaska.
All the political comments aside, view Walkers Pointe and the Bush compound in G-Earth.
Other former presidents may have more imposing residences, but none of them can match the plot of land the Bushes own.
The tape completes that wrap for great air sealing.Then they'll wonder why they have black mold in the walls making everyone sick. It's like living in a thermos bottle
Nope. There are usually controlled air intakes and the sheathing is breathable one way
They'll rent it to Obama.
Really. Jeb is more than anxious to reach across the aisle.
I’m sure Jeb Bush won’t mind if anyone who wants to moves in with them.
Retirement home, I hope?
Or is he planning to replace Susan Collins as designated RINO Senator??
The siding will go over that green stuff. We were just there a couple of weeks ago and wondered why there were so many buildings.
There is a gate with a Secret Service employee stationed in a gatehouse whenever the elder Bushes are in residence. The ocean surrounds nearly all of the compound, forming a natural barrier. Cameras viewing all areas of the ocean constantly send photos back to TV screens in a cottage that is devoted to security. At their age, I suspect they are not in much danger from terrorists or anyone wishing them harm.
I ride by the complex, down Ocean Ave several times a week-beautiful ride- nearly all multi-million dollar homes. Fortunately, the road hugs the oceanfront, so the homes are on the other side of the road and do not hide the view of the water and rocky coast.
Jeb’s house is all shingled now and the landscaping is being finished. The Philbricks who are the contractors built our “very modest” first home over 40 years ago.
Love em or hate em, the elder Bushes have been good for this area-very generous in contributions to many causes.
As an aside, I had lunch with the Bushes at Walker’s Point when G.W.’s twins were 2 years old. Barbara delighted in telling us tales of her family and beloved “Millie”, the cocker spaniel.
No, not many illegals here in town, I suspect.
Yep, and if you go have lunch at The Ramp you’ll see where the Bushes and others signed the wall.
Just an old country bumpkin. Not familiar with the Ramp.
Under Pier 77 Restaurant in Cape Porpoise.
Aaah yes, the Pub. Too fancy for me. Hubby had a boat and mooring at the pier when he was lobstering many, many years ago. Pier 77 was Spicers Galley then. Delivered mail to that entire area in the 70s.
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