Introduction to Bette Davis’ Former Home
Bette Davis’ former seaside escape just got a Hollywood ending. The 8-acre estate in Cape Elizabeth, Maine sold last week for $13.4 million. The price marked a 10-year high for the state of Maine, the Portland Press Herald reported. The historic property, which Davis playfully dubbed “Witch Way,” spent only two months on the market after listing for $15 million in July.
The Estate’s Features
The estate boasts 1,200 feet of ocean frontage. Peter G. Morneau
The $13.4 million sale is a recent high for Maine, but it’s far from the state’s record. That title goes to the former summer home of the billionaire David Rockefeller, which sold for a whopping $19 million in 2008.
History of the Estate
Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty agent Sam Michaud, who listed the property alongside colleague Bill Gaynor, told The Post that he wasn’t surprised by the speed of the sale. Michaud said the opportunity attracted interest from international buyers, calling it “one of the finest estates in Maine.”
Bette Davis, pictured in 1942. Getty Images
Davis and her husband, actor Gary Merrill, fell in love on the set of the 1950 film “All About Eve” and quickly left La La Land for the coast of Maine, where they would raise their two adopted children, Margot and Michael, as well as Davis’s daughter from her previous marriage, Barbara Davis Hyman.
Merrill and Davis with Barbara and Michael. Bettmann Archive
The family spent an idyllic decade at Witch Way, catching lobsters and socializing with their small coastal town. Michael Merrill told Portland Monthly magazine in a 2014 interview that his famous father even formed a local hockey team in Cape Elizabeth, called the Merrill Marauders.
The Estate’s Current State
Davis, pictured in 1968, did not remarry after her divorce from Merrill. Getty Images
Their dreamy life on the estate ended after Davis and Merrill’s divorce in 1960. Merrill would go on to say that his time there was the best of his life. Davis did not remarry, and died in France in 1989 at the age of 81.
Her legacy lives on at Witch Way — most recently marketed as “Seascape” — although the estate bears little resemblance to Davis’s day.
A 7,600-square-foot main house was constructed in 2002. The farmhouse-style home encompasses five bedrooms and eight bathrooms. A large, covered porch gives way to the double-height foyer and inviting interiors, including a cherry-paneled study and a fireside breakfast nook.
The 7,600-square-foot main residence. Peter G. Morneau
An aerial photo of the 8-acre property. Peter G. Morneau
The carraige house includes two bedrooms and a fully equipped kitchen. Peter G. Morneau
An octagonal cupola sits at the top of the residence, boasting 360-degree views of manicured lawns and all 1,200 feet of the estate’s granite shoreline.
Additional Features
The property offers extra room for guests in its 2,000-square-foot carriage house. The two-bedroom space, also built in 2002, comes with a fully equipped kitchen and a picturesque balcony.
A barn, space for animals and a pond was also included in the 8-acre deal.
Conclusion
Bette Davis’ former Maine home has sold for $13.4 million, marking a 10-year high for the state. The historic property, which boasts 1,200 feet of ocean frontage, spent only two months on the market after listing for $15 million in July. The estate’s features, including a 7,600-square-foot main house and a 2,000-square-foot carriage house, make it one of the finest estates in Maine.
FAQs
Q: How much did Bette Davis’ former Maine home sell for?
A: $13.4 million.
Q: How long did the property spend on the market?
A: Two months.
Q: What is the size of the main house?
A: 7,600 square feet.
Q: How many bedrooms and bathrooms does the main house have?
A: Five bedrooms and eight bathrooms.
Q: Is the property still known as "Witch Way"?
A: No, it is now marketed as "Seascape".
