Home Buying

For $2.85 million, an antique Portsmouth home dating to the early 1700s

This Colonial gem is tucked in the city's charming South End.

171 Gates Street in Portsmouth, N.H. Hommati

August 29, 2025

2 minutes to read

A piece of Portsmouth, N.H., history is officially on the market for $2.85 million.

Built circa 1710 for Tobias Langdon, the great-grandfather of John Langdon, the first governor of New Hampshire, 171 Gates St. is a three-bed, 1 3/4-bath Colonial gem tucked in Portsmouth’s charming South End.

“When you walk into that house, you feel like you’ve stepped back in time,” said Jason Goodrich of Coldwell Banker Realty, who has the listing.

The current owner has spent the last 20 years restoring and maintaining the 2,450-square-foot home to its original integrity, which features pine floors measuring up to 30 inches wide and five fireplaces.

Step into the entry foyer, where you’ll find the walls covered with a mural that cascades upward via a triple-run staircase.

“When you come in on the ground floor, [the mural] starts with spring, and as you continue up the stairs towards the third floor, it goes from spring in the scenery to summer to fall to winter. The seasons are changing as you go higher,” Goodrich explained.

A lively blue living room features a working fireplace under a mantel. Track lighting sits overhead, and built-in corner cabinetry provides a historic touch. A formal dining room, brought to life by vibrant green walls, also has a hearth of its own. It also has four windows that stream in natural light.

In the kitchen, you’ll find Sub-Zero, Jenn-Air, and Miele appliances. The oversized hearth, ideal for cozying up after a meal, has been converted to gas. It sits under a red beamed ceiling.

On the second floor, the spacious primary bedroom also features a fireplace; however, it is currently not working. Extensive built-in cabinetry provides plenty of storage, and two large windows provide seats underneath to curl up. The primary bedroom also has direct access to a bathroom. The second floor is also home to a guest bedroom with another historic non-working fireplace.

The home’s outdoor space is equally impressive. Impeccably manicured into three tiers, the gardens are filled with ornamental trees and mature perennials. There is also a sculpture garden. One of the most unusual features is the “summer kitchen,” a freestanding structure equipped with top-of-the-line appliances that’s ideal for entertaining. In the winter, it transforms into a winterized storage space.

The home has an unfinished basement, which is home to its HVAC and heating systems that were replaced four years ago. The electrical system was also upgraded to 200 AMP. There is also a whole-house generator.

While there is no garage, there is a brick driveway that provides parking for as many as three cars. The house received a new cedar shake roof nine years ago and has a bishop’s cap chimney cover.