Atlantic Living

What: Seven bedrooms, five full baths, two half baths in 5,655 square feet on 3.5 acres.

Where: Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass., 32 miles from Boston.

Amenities: Ocean views, five fireplaces, library, three bedroom guest cottage with detached garage. 100-foot private beach.

Asking Price: $12.5 million

Opening Bid*: $10.9 million

Listing Agent: Lanse Robb, Christie's Great Estates affiliate LandVest Inc., 617-723-1800

Due Diligence: This Colonial was built as a summer residence in 1881 for the writer Alice James, sister of Henry James and psychologist William James. Jacqueline Sohier, who along with her two brothers owns the home, says it's been in her family for three generations. Several of its 15 rooms are big enough to host large gatherings. Two sets of bay windows in the living room look directly onto the beach. Ownership includes rights to a deepwater dock. The home's near the Myopia Hunt Club, known for top equestrian and golfing events and as a shooting location for the 1968 film "The Thomas Crown Affair," with Steve McQueen. Ms. Sohier, who lives in New York with her husband, filmmaker Jay Anania, and two small children, says that because she spends very little time at the home she decided to sell it.

Additional Photos

Photos by: John Bellenis

*The opening bid is Weekend Journal's estimate of a reasonable starting point for negotiations to buy the property, based on past sales, prevailing market conditions and interviews with local real-estate experts.

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