Listed by Tate & Foss Sotheby's International Rlty · Tony Jalbert · 603-964-8028
Single Family Residence · Portsmouth, NH
53 Austin Street, Portsmouth, NH
$3,600,000
Est. $18,204/mo · 20% down, 30-yr, 6.5% (Owl’s Nest Real Estate estimate, not MLS data)
- Beds
- 6
- Baths
- 6
- Sq Ft
- 7,648
- Built
- 1801
- MLS®
- #5095121
Property Description
Welcome to 53 Austin Street, a single-family home in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The home offers 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms and 7,648 square feet of living space, listed at $3,600,000. Single-family ownership here means your own land, your own walls and room to make the property yours. The numbers worth knowing: a 0.4-acre lot, garage parking for 3 and 1801 construction. See the listing's full details below, and reach out for a private showing of 53 Austin Street.
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.
Location Highlights
53 Austin Street is a single family residence in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, listed at $3,600,000. That works out to about $471 per square foot, for a home built in 1801. It has been on the market for 5 months.
At this latitude, Portsmouth averages roughly 8.4 hours of sun a day in June and 3.6 in December.
Zoned schools in the Portsmouth: Little Harbor School (Elementary), Portsmouth Middle School (Middle), Portsmouth (High). Always confirm zoning with the district office.
Source: zoned school names are PrimeMLS listing data; distances, sun exposure and school facts are Owl’s Nest Real Estate additions (school facts from the NCES, U.S. Department of Education) — not PrimeMLS data.
Property Details
Essentials & finishes
- Bedrooms
- 6
- Total Baths
- 6
- Full Baths
- 2
- SqFt
- 7,648
- Price / SqFt
- $470.71
- Property Type
- Single Family Residence
- Year Built
- 1801
- County
- NH-Rockingham
- Town
- Portsmouth, NH
- Status
- Active
- Days on Market
- 125
Primary Features
- County
- NH-Rockingham
- Property Type
- Residential
- Year Built
- 1801
- Zoning
- GRC
Interior Features
- Appliances
- Gas Cooktop, Dishwasher, Disposal, Dryer, Microwave, Double Oven, Refrigerator, Water Heater off Boiler, Washer
- Basement
- Yes
- Basement Access Type
- Interior
- Basement Description
- Bulkhead, Concrete, Partial, Interior Stairs, Sump Pump
- 1/4 Baths
- 0
- 3/4 Baths
- 3
- Cooling
- None
- Electric
- 200+ Amp Service, Circuit Breakers
- Flooring
- Hardwood
- Heating
- Baseboard, Natural Gas, Hot Water
- Interior Features
- Attic with Hatch/Scuttle, Blinds, Dining Area, Draperies, Wood Fireplace, 3+ Fireplaces, Kitchen Island, Kitchen/Dining, Kitchen/Family, Kitchen/Living, Living/Dining, Primary BR w/ BA, Natural Light, Natural Woodwork, Skylight, Window Treatment, 1st Floor Laundry
- Rooms - Total
- 12
- SqFt-Approximate Finished Above Grade
- 7,648
- SqFt-Approximate Finished Below Grade
- 0
- SqFt Approximate Total Finished
- 7,648
- SqFt Approximate Total
- 10,758
Location Information
- School - District
- Portsmouth
- School - Elementary
- Little Harbor School
- School - High
- Portsmouth
- School - Middle/Jr
- Portsmouth Middle School
Financial Details
- Cable Company
- Comcast
- Electric Company
- Eversource
- Fuel Company
- Unitil
- Tax - Gross Amount
- $41,235
- Tax Year
- 2025
- Taxes TBD
- No
Additional
- Construction Status
- Existing
- Construction
- Clapboard, Wood Frame, Wood Exterior, Wood Siding
- Covenants
- No
- Flood Zone
- Unknown
- Pre-Construction
- No
- Property Sub Type
- Single Family Residence
- Seasonal
- No
- Total Stories
- 3
- Surveyed
- Unknown
- Timeshare/Fractional Ownership
- No
External Features
- Color
- White
- Driveway
- Paved
- Exterior Features
- Building, Partial Fence, Storage
- Foundation
- Fieldstone
- Garage
- Yes
- Garage Capacity
- 3
- Lot Features
- City Lot, Landscaped, Level, In Town, Near Shopping, Neighborhood
- Lot - Acres
- 0.4
- Lot - SqFt
- 17,424
- Parking
- Attached, Auto Open, Barn, Driveway, Garage, On Site, Paved
- Road Frontage Type
- Public
- Road Frontage
- Yes
- Road Frontage Length
- 151
- Roof
- Asphalt Shingle
- Sewer
- Public
- Utilities
- Cable, Multi Phone Lines
- Water Source
- Public
MLS®: PrimeMLS #5095121; Listed by Tate & Foss Sotheby's International Rlty · Tony Jalbert · 603-964-8028
Property History
Estimated annual taxes for this property
- 2024
- $61,200
- 2023
- $59,670
- 2022
- $58,140
Source: Owl’s Nest Real Estate estimate from the list price at New Hampshire’s average effective tax rate — not PrimeMLS or town assessor data. Verify with the town assessor.
Market Data
Live snapshot computed by Owl’s Nest Real Estate from PrimeMLS IDX active listings in this town
- Active listings in Portsmouth
- 124
- Average list price
- $1,116,133
- Price range
- $425,000 – $2,775,000
Mortgage Calculator
Estimate your monthly payment for this home
Estimated Monthly Payment
$24,054/ mo
- Principal & Interest
- $18,204
- Property Tax
- $5,100
- Home Insurance
- $750
Source: Owl’s Nest Real Estate estimate, not PrimeMLS data. Estimates use typical New Hampshire costs — a 1.7% effective property-tax rate, insurance at 0.25% of home value/yr, and PMI below 20% down. Actual town tax rates vary; verify with your lender and the town assessor.
Around This Property
Schools, everyday places and nearby destinations near 53 Austin Street, Portsmouth, NH
Assigned Schools
- Elementary
- Little Harbor School
- Middle
- Portsmouth Middle School
- High School
- Portsmouth
- District
- Portsmouth
Source: Google Maps Platform (Places) and Owl’s Nest Real Estate — not PrimeMLS data.
Questions About This Listing
How much does 53 Austin Street cost?
53 Austin Street in Portsmouth, NH is listed for $3,600,000 on PrimeMLS.
That is about $471 per square foot of finished living space.
It came on the market on June 17, 2026.
How many bedrooms and bathrooms does 53 Austin Street have?
53 Austin Street in Portsmouth, NH has 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (2 full, 3 three-quarter and 1 half) in 7,648 square feet of finished living space.
What is the lot size of 53 Austin Street?
53 Austin Street in Portsmouth, NH sits on 0.4 acres, per the MLS.
The lot is described as city lot, landscaped and level.
It has 151 feet of road frontage (public).
Zoning: GRC.
What are the annual property taxes for 53 Austin Street?
Annual property taxes on 53 Austin Street in Portsmouth, NH are $41,235 for the 2025 tax year, per the MLS.
New Hampshire towns set their own tax rates and revalue periodically, so confirm the current bill with the Portsmouth assessing office.
What heating and cooling does 53 Austin Street have?
53 Austin Street in Portsmouth, NH is heated by baseboard, natural gas and hot water, per the MLS.
The MLS lists no cooling system.
What are the water and sewer systems at 53 Austin Street?
53 Austin Street in Portsmouth, NH has public water and public sewer, per the MLS.
MLS details — water: public; sewer: public.
Electric: 200+ amp service and circuit breakers (Eversource).
Other utilities: cable and multi phone lines; cable provider Comcast.
Does 53 Austin Street have a basement?
Yes. 53 Austin Street in Portsmouth, NH has a basement with interior access.
The MLS describes it as bulkhead, concrete, partial, interior stairs and sump pump.
What are the key features of 53 Austin Street?
Inside, the MLS lists these features at 53 Austin Street in Portsmouth, NH: attic with hatch/scuttle, blinds, dining area, draperies, wood fireplace, 3+ fireplaces, kitchen island and kitchen/dining.
Outside: building, partial fence and storage.
Flooring: hardwood.
Listed appliances: gas cooktop, dishwasher, disposal, dryer, microwave, double oven, refrigerator, water heater off boiler and washer; confirm which ones convey in the purchase agreement.
What parking does 53 Austin Street have?
53 Austin Street in Portsmouth, NH has a 3-car garage and a paved driveway.
Parking details: attached, auto open, barn, driveway, garage and on site.
What school district is 53 Austin Street in?
The MLS places 53 Austin Street in Portsmouth, NH in the Portsmouth school district.
Listed schools: Little Harbor School (elementary), Portsmouth Middle School (middle) and Portsmouth (high).
School assignments can change; confirm with the district.
Is 53 Austin Street still for sale?
Yes. 53 Austin Street in Portsmouth, NH is listed as Active on PrimeMLS (MLS #5095121).
Status can change quickly; contact us to confirm availability before you visit.
Which brokerage has 53 Austin Street listed?
53 Austin Street in Portsmouth, NH is listed by Tony Jalbert of Tate & Foss Sotheby's International Rlty (603-964-8028).
Owl's Nest Real Estate shows it through the PrimeMLS IDX feed; we are not the listing brokerage.
What type of home is 53 Austin Street?
53 Austin Street in Portsmouth, NH is a single-family home built in 1801.
The MLS lists its style as Federal, with three stories.
What town is 53 Austin Street in?
53 Austin Street is in Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801, in Rockingham County.
Location notes from the MLS: in town and near shopping.
How does the price of 53 Austin Street compare with other Portsmouth listings?
At $3,600,000, 53 Austin Street in Portsmouth, NH is priced above the $1,495,000 median asking price of the 43 single-family homes for sale in Portsmouth on PrimeMLS as of November 3, 2026 (this listing included).
That figure is Owl's Nest Real Estate's analysis of active listings, and asking prices are not sale prices — ask us for recent comparable sales before you make an offer.
How can I see 53 Austin Street in person?
To see 53 Austin Street in Portsmouth, NH, use Request a Showing on this page or call Owl's Nest Real Estate at 401-648-5308.
We can show any MLS-listed home and represent you as your buyer's agent; the listing brokerage represents the seller.
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NOTE: This representation is based in whole or in part on data generated by PrimeMLS, Inc., which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The data relating to real estate displayed on this site comes in part from the IDX Program of PrimeMLS.
This listing data is intended for consumers’ personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Data last updated 11/03/26.