Aisling | Knickerbocker Group

Project Details

Builder

Knickerbocker Group

Architect

Glenn Keyes Architects

Photography

Jeff Roberts

Honoring place, building anew

The homeowners of Eastern Branch have deep ties to the region and a deep appreciation for historic architecture. After decades of visiting Maine, they acquired a 70-acre waterfront property overlooking a serene, historic cove. On it stood a beloved 1810 residence with great charm—but after years of neglect and poorly executed expansions, it was beyond repair. Rather than attempt to restore the unrestorable, the couple chose to reimagine the home entirely while honoring its spirit and legacy.

Knickerbocker Group was enlisted as the builder and to lead site design and landscape architecture. Drawing inspiration from Maine’s historic sea captains’ homes and timeless South Carolinian forms, the homeowners worked closely with Charleston-based architect Glenn Keyes and our team to create a new home that feels like it has always belonged.

A thoughtful nod to history

In shaping Eastern Branch’s design, and the homeowners sought to honor Maine’s Federal-era architecture while adapting it for contemporary life. A key reference was the Kavanagh residence, a distinguished 1803 estate in Damariscotta Mills known for its refined craftsmanship and classic details. Although not a replica, elements such as the octagonal cupola and symmetrical façade draw on this architectural lineage. The approach allowed the team to balance historical respect with modern functionality, weaving in influences from both Maine’s coastal heritage and the homeowners’ Charleston roots to create a home uniquely theirs.

A site-sensitive approach

Landscape architecture was an early and integral part of the design process. The peninsula site, with its native tree canopy and dramatic water views, required careful considerations. Knickerbocker Group’s landscape architecture team worked alongside architecture and construction from the start, shaping the overall siting, entry sequence, and viewsheds to create a refined, cohesive experience.

The driveway was repositioned to allow for a more graceful arrival and greater privacy, tucking the new home deeper into the land and framing it with mature lilacs, apple trees, and magnolias. A curved drive now loops around a salvaged tree, buffering sound and providing a quiet reveal. New perennial plantings and stone paths blur the line between the cultivated and wild, while preserving what makes the property feel naturally timeless.

Respecting tradition through craftsmanship

Inside, historic details come to life through meticulous construction and extraordinary custom millwork. Our team crafted bespoke trim profiles inspired by the original proportions of the Kavanagh homestead. Each mantel, molding, and built-in was prototyped and reviewed on-site, ensuring the scale and tone were just right. Intricate assemblies—including concealed steel supports integrated within a vaulted timber frame—allowed Knickerbocker Group’s construction team to meet modern structural requirements without compromising historical character.

Even the cupola, accessed by a narrow stair with a rope rail handmade by a local shipbuilder, was designed as a moment of delight—a space to read, reflect, and watch the sunset.

The original Kavanagh House: Built in 1803 for James Kavanagh, prominent merchant and shipbuilder in Newcastle, Maine. Photography by The Library of Congress.

Our craftspeople approached this project with the same reverence we’d bring to a historic restoration. From the hidden structure to the visible finish, everything was considered, coordinated, and carried out with care.

– Steve Arnold, Project Manager at Eastern Branch

Grounded in place

Salvaged beams from the original house bring warmth and a tangible connection to the past within the kitchen. The grand, expertly crafted staircase serves as a sculptural centerpiece, offering views of the cove and reinforcing the seamless indoor-outdoor relationship with the surrounding landscape. Additional quiet retreats, including a sunroom and first-floor library, complement the home’s thoughtful layout, while four bedrooms upstairs accommodate family gatherings and future generations.

Throughout, the material palette is classic yet understated—painted wood, honed stone, handmade tile—designed to age gracefully and feel at home in all seasons. Every decision, from window placement to floorboard width, was made with longevity in mind. At Eastern Branch, craftsmanship, collaboration, and a deep respect for the past came together to create a home that will stand the test of time. A house built new, but rooted in history.