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Waterfront Watch
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Harbor Acres Scale, Handled Carefully

Large two-story waterfront mansion with tall columns, arched windows, balconies, and manicured landscaping, viewed from across the bay on a sunny day.

I pass a lot of large houses on this stretch of Harbor Acres, and they don’t all wear their size particularly well. This one does.

From the water, it’s clearly enormous. Wide frontage, elevated stance, formal symmetry. But it doesn’t push beyond that. The pale stone exterior keeps the mass visually steady, reflecting light instead of absorbing it, which matters more from the Bay than it does from the street. The roofline helps, too. Dormers break things up just enough to keep the scale readable rather than overwhelming.

Along the water-facing side, a long run of arches gives the house some rhythm. They add depth and shade without feeling decorative for decoration’s sake. From a moving boat, details like this tend to register quickly. This one holds together.

The outdoor space is where the house really earns its keep. The terraces are generous but not cluttered, stepping comfortably toward the Bay. They read as usable, not staged. Can’t you just imagine actually spending quality time here? Sitting back, watching the light shift, letting the water do what it does best. Maybe a book, maybe some light canapés. I’ll take my ice water with a mint sprig.

The landscaping reinforces that impression. It’s meticulous, but not precious. Low plantings keep the sightlines clean, while mature trees soften the formality and take the edge off the scale. Nothing competes for attention. Everything feels maintained because it’s meant to be.

Homes this size often tip into excess without realizing it. This one doesn’t. It’s confident enough to stay measured, even with all that square footage behind it. From the water, that restraint is noticeable, and not especially common.

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