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    • Listed by: Tate & Foss Sotheby's International Rlty • Tony Jalbert
    $3,600,000

    53 Austin Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801

    6beds
    7,648sqft
    : 
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    Single Family Residence
    Built in 1801
    0.4 Acres Lot
    $-- Zestimate®
    $471/sqft
    $-- HOA

    What's special

    Six renovated bathroomsSoaring ceilingsWide-board cherry floorsExtraordinary millworkSix bedroomsTree-lined austin streetMarble fireplace mantels
    The Pickering-Heffenger House c.1804 Live where history was made and where diplomats, dignitaries, and world leaders once gathered. The Pickering-Heffenger House is one of Portsmouth's most significant residences, prominently featured in Richard Candee's Building Portsmouth and John Mead Howells' Architectural History of the Piscataqua. Its most celebrated chapter occurred in 1905 when Dr. Arthur Heffenger, a retired U.S. Navy physician, hosted members of the Russian delegation during negotiations for the historic Portsmouth Peace Treaty. The grandeur of that era remains evident throughout the home with quadruple crown moldings, marble fireplace mantels, soaring ceilings, and extraordinary millwork. Thoughtfully modernized for today's lifestyle, the residence offers a beautifully appointed granite kitchen, wide-board cherry floors, six bedrooms, and six renovated bathrooms that seamlessly blend historic character with modern comfort. The original carriage house and stable have been transformed into three residences consisting of two one-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom apartment, creating flexibility for guests, extended family, rental income, or staff accommodations. Perhaps most compelling are the property's future possibilities. It can continue as one of Portsmouth's great private estates, become a multi-generational family compound, or be thoughtfully repositioned as a condominium conversion opportunity. An existing inn license also creates potential for boutique hospitality, subject to approvals. Situated along tree-lined Austin Street and just steps from downtown Portsmouth, this is more than a home, it's an opportunity to own, preserve, and redefine one of the Seacoast's truly iconic properties.
    33 days
    |
    1,392
    |
    70
    |

    Zillow last checked:

    Listing updated:

    Listed by:

    Tony Jalbert,

    Tate & Foss Sotheby's International Rlty 603-964-8028

    Source: PrimeMLS,MLS#: 5095121MLS Logo

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      Facts & features

      Interior

      Bedrooms & bathrooms
      • Bedrooms: 6
      • Bathrooms: 6
      • Full bathrooms: 2
      • 3/4 bathrooms: 3
      • 1/2 bathrooms: 1
      Heating
      • Natural Gas, Baseboard, Hot Water
      Cooling
      • None
      Appliances
      • Included: Gas Cooktop, Dishwasher, Disposal, Dryer, Microwave, Double Oven, Refrigerator, Washer, Water Heater off Boiler
      • Laundry: 1st Floor Laundry
      Features
      • Dining Area, Kitchen Island, Kitchen/Dining, Kitchen/Family, Kitchen/Living, Living/Dining, Primary BR w/ BA, Natural Light, Natural Woodwork
      • Flooring: Hardwood
      • Windows: Blinds, Drapes, Skylight(s), Window Treatments
      • Basement: Bulkhead,Concrete,Partial,Interior Stairs,Sump Pump,Interior Entry
      • Has fireplace: Yes
      • Fireplace features: Wood Burning, 3+ Fireplaces
      Interior area
      • Total structure area: 10,758
      • Total interior livable area: 7,648 sqft
      • Finished area above ground: 7,648
      • Finished area below ground: 0

      Property

      Parking
      • Total spaces: 3
      • Parking features: Paved, Auto Open, Driveway, Garage, On Site, Barn, Attached
      • Garage spaces: 3
      • Has uncovered spaces: Yes
      Features
      • Levels: 3
      • Stories: 3
      • Exterior features: Building, Storage
      • Fencing: Partial
      • Frontage length: Road frontage: 151
      Lot
      • Size: 0.4 Acres
      • Features: City Lot, Landscaped, Level, In Town, Near Shopping, Neighborhood
      Details
      • Parcel number: PRSMM0127B0026L
      • Zoning description: GRC

      Construction

      Type & style
      • Home type: SingleFamily
      • Architectural style: Federal
      • Property subtype: Single Family Residence
      Materials
      • Wood Frame, Clapboard Exterior, Wood Exterior, Wood Siding
      • Foundation: Fieldstone
      • Roof: Asphalt Shingle
      Condition
      • New construction: No
      • Year built: 1801

      Utilities & green energy

      • Electric: 200+ Amp Service, Circuit Breakers
      • Sewer: Public Sewer
      • Utilities for property: Cable, Multi Phone Lines

      Community & HOA

      Community
      • Security: HW/Batt Smoke Detector
      Location
      • Region: Portsmouth

      Financial & listing details

      • Price per square foot: $471/sqft
      • Tax assessed value: $3,582,500
      • Annual tax amount: $41,235
      • Date on market: 6/17/2026

        Estimated market value

        Not available

        Estimated sales range

        Not available

        Not available

        Price history

        DateEventPrice
        6/17/2026Listed for sale$3,600,000$471/sqft
        Source: PrimeMLS #5095121 Report a problem
        9/18/2025Listing removed$3,600,000$471/sqft
        Source: PrimeMLS #4962951 Report a problem
        7/26/2023Listed for sale$3,600,000-7.5%$471/sqft
        Source: PrimeMLS #4962951 Report a problem
        2/22/2023Listing removed--
        Source: PrimeMLS #4931837 Report a problem
        9/30/2022Listed for sale$3,890,000+31%$509/sqft
        Source: PrimeMLS #4931837 Report a problem
        8/2/2019Listing removed$2,970,000$388/sqft
        Source: Tate & Foss Sotheby's International Realty #4727019 Report a problem
        11/7/2018Listed for sale$2,970,000$388/sqft
        Source: Tate & Foss Sotheby's International Realty #4727019 Report a problem

        Public tax history

        YearProperty taxesTax assessment
        2024$40,052 -9.3%$3,582,500 +30.9%
        2023$44,140 +16.8%$2,736,500 +10.1%
        2022$37,777 +12.7%$2,485,300 +9%
        2020$33,529 -1.1%$2,280,900
        2019$33,894 +47.3%$2,280,900 +57%
        2018$23,008 +6.9%$1,452,500 +3.8%
        2017$21,520 +6.6%$1,399,200 +18.1%
        2016$20,187 -8%$1,184,700 -9.3%
        2015$21,934 +8%$1,306,400 +16.4%
        2014$20,317 +3.4%$1,122,500 +0.2%
        2012$19,656 +1.6%$1,120,000
        2011$19,342 -0.8%$1,120,000
        2010$19,499 $1,120,000
        Find assessor info on the county website

        Monthly payment

        Est. payment

        Payment breakdown

        Explore the cost of this home by adjusting the details. Changes won't be saved.
        All calculations are estimates and provided by Zillow, Inc. for informational purposes only. Actual amounts may vary.
        HOA fees may include property taxes on listings classified as Co-Ops. Contact the listing agent and/or owner for fee details.
        Mortgage interest rates are dependent on a number of factors, including credit score, down payment, and repayment length. Interest rate data provided by Zillow Group Marketplace, Inc. as of 1/1/1970 from various mortgage lenders with which we have lead or other similar arrangements; the Estimated Payment is an average of those rates.
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        Climate risks

        Neighborhood: 03801

        Getting around

        87 / 100
        Very Walkable
        58 / 100
        Bikeable

        Nearby schools

        GreatSchools rating
        Schools provided by the listing agent
        • Elementary: Little Harbor School
        • Middle: Portsmouth Middle School
        • High: Portsmouth High School
        • District: Portsmouth

        Source: PrimeMLS. This data may not be complete. We recommend contacting the local school district to confirm school assignments for this home.

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