Luxury Homes

North Shore couple turns WWII watchtower into a guesthouse

Car dealer Brian Kelly converted a WWII watchtower into a guesthouse in Manchester-by-the-Sea.

The tower is 11 floors tall. The Boston Globe

If you’re a U.S. history buff without a fear of heights, car dealer Brian Kelly has the perfect place for you to stay.

Kelly, president of the Kelly Automotive Group, and his wife, Shahrezad Kelly, converted a former World War II watchtower in Manchester-by-the-Sea into a glamorous guesthouse, The Boston Globe reports.

The 165-foot tall lighthouse-like structure, which sat on the property of a house the couple bought, was built in 1943 by the Army Corps of Engineers to watch out for German U-boats in Manchester Harbor, the Globe reports. Kelly’s father was a pilot in the war so the property held special interest for him.

The historic tower was used to spot German U-boats in WWII. – Globe

Architect Thad Siemasko of Siemasko + Verbridge worked with the family to redesign the structure to look like a luxury yacht inside, with highly lacquered mahogany furnishings, a snack bar, and a cocktail bar intended to look like the stern of a boat.

The bedrooms are nautical-themed. – Globe

On the ninth floor, a wraparound balcony offers panoramic views of sailors and kayakers out on the harbor.

The home boasts stainless steel features. – Globe

Read the full Globe story here.

Advertisement:

New England homes that used to be castles:

New England castles that used to be homes

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com