On the Market

It’s been 80 years since 314 Essex St. was available as a residential property.

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Attention, lovers of all things witchy.

The house at 314 Essex St. in Salem, a 4,670-square-foot Georgian-style home, is on the market as a residential property for the first time in 80 years, listed at $1.99 million. Originally built in 1755 for “spinster” Mary Lindall, the six-bed, five-bathroom (four full, two half) property was also the childhood home of Benjamin Thompson, and later Count Rumford, inventor of Rumford stoves, according to historic documents. It later functioned as the Salem chapter of the American Red Cross and a law office.

But its most prominent marker is the famous Salem Witch House, with ties to the Witch Trials, located right next door. On the other side is The First Church in Salem, a Unitarian Universal church.

The current owner purchased the property in 2012 and moved in across the street with the intention of renovating it and turning it into a bed and breakfast. After a three-and-a-half-year renovation, they scaled that back, turning it into an Airbnb that was completed around 2016.

The front door features traditional gas-burning lanterns. A stunning foyer has a historic staircase that cascades upward, while two living rooms greet on both sides of the front of the house. Both feature fireplaces, and one is painted lilac purple.

Continue to the back of the house to find the kitchen, where Vermont soapstone countertops and stainless steel commercial-grade appliances accommodate everyone from an aspiring cook to a professional chef; there’s a six-burner Wolf commercial range with double ovens, as well as an additional convection oven and steam oven beside the refrigerators. There’s a historic hearth with a beehive oven to its right and a pantry to the right of that.

“The kitchen is stunning. Every time anyone’s gone in there to see it, the kitchen’s been the showstopper,” said Andrew Pike of The Persac Group, who has the listing.

Across the hall is the dining room, which fills with natural light.

On the second story, there are three en-suite bedrooms, currently functioning as the Airbnb section of the home. The third floor is the owner’s level. The primary bedroom has windows on two sides and a spacious walk-in closet. The primary bath features a double vanity, a large shower, and a bidet. There’s also a kitchenette on the third floor. A den and an office space complete the third level, and could easily function as additional bedrooms.

There is a full-height basement with plenty of storage space. The laundry room and a half-bathroom are finished, but the rest is unfinished. There’s also a dog-washing station.

Behind the home, you’ll find a back patio manicured with perennials, and a lush garden designed by a gardener from the nearby Peabody Essex Museum’s Ropes Mansion. Its backdrop on one side is the stone-faced church.

There is a two-car tandem driveway as an additional area with pavers in the back that could function as additional parking. The home has central air.