Marblehead Inn: New Life at an Old Inn

The mission continues at the stately Victorian with the mansard roof at 264 Pleasant St.: infuse new life.  

The owners of the Marblehead Inn aren't starting from scratch. After all, they don't build 'em like this anymore — like the outside or the inside of this 19th century house.

It retains original features including the granite-block foundation. Rooms with oval ceiling medallions from which gas chandeliers once hung. A big center entrance with an entrance porch. Gingerbread molding and quoins. A steep narrow staircase up up and away to an octogonal cupola surrounded by windows.

Pioneering female aviator Amelia Earhart once stayed here.

But Rich Cooper, property manager for owner Bluefish Property Group, is adding to the charm of the eye-catching three-story structure.

Changes include a new lounge with a fireplace. New patterned carpeting from Khouri's Oriental Rugs and Carpeting.

Afternoon tea and complimetary wine.

They are in the midst of upgrades to the house's 11 rooms including new paint and a suite conversion and adding docking stations for electronic devices. 

Each room has its own bathroom, at least one of which includes a clawfoot tub and four-post bed.

The inn's dilapidated tennis court in the backyard is out, the grounds now landscaped and fenced with a center space prepared for a gazebo.

The Marblehead Inn has an innkeeper, Jeffrey Gilman, with a background in design who has helped transform two other New England inns, making them into boutique inns.

Cooper and Gilman foresee small intimate backyard wedding parties and picnicking.

The cupola is being arranged to host intimate dinners for two.

Bluefish took ownership of the Victorian in 2011 when the occupancy rate was about 30 percent.

Since then they have increased the rate by 25 percent and seek to increase that percentage by another 25 percent.

Many of those who stay here are people visiting family and business travelers and sailors.

The inn is open year round. Rates range from $139 to $225.

For more information call the innkeeper:

(781) 639-9999 
E-Mail: info@marbleheadinn.com