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53 Austin Street, Portsmouth, NH

Single Family Residence

For SaleActive
6 Beds|6 Baths|7,648 ft²|Built 1801|Portsmouth

Listed by Tate & Foss Sotheby's International Rlty · Tony Jalbert

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: garage parking for 3, 1801 construction and roughly $471 per square foot. 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 3 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.

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:86

Primary Features

CountyNH-Rockingham
Property TypeResidential
Year Built1801
ZoningGRC

Interior Features

AppliancesGas Cooktop, Dishwasher, Disposal, Dryer, Microwave, Double Oven, Refrigerator, Washer, Water Heater off Boiler
BasementYes
Basement Access TypeInterior
Basement DescriptionBulkhead, Concrete, Partial, Interior Stairs, Sump Pump
1/4 Baths0
3/4 Baths3
CoolingNone
Electric200+ Amp Service, Circuit Breakers
FlooringHardwood
HeatingNatural Gas, Baseboard, Hot Water
Interior FeaturesAttic 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 - Total12
SqFt-Approximate Finished Above Grade7,648
SqFt-Approximate Finished Below Grade0
SqFt Approximate Total Finished7,648
SqFt Approximate Total10,758

Location Information

School - DistrictPortsmouth
School - ElementaryLittle Harbor School
School - HighPortsmouth
School - Middle/JrPortsmouth Middle School

Financial Details

Cable CompanyComcast
Electric CompanyEversource
Fuel CompanyUnitil
Tax - Gross Amount$41,235
Tax Year2025
Taxes TBDNo

Additional

Construction StatusExisting
ConstructionWood Frame, Clapboard, Wood Exterior, Wood Siding
CovenantsNo
Flood ZoneUnknown
Pre-ConstructionNo
Property Sub TypeSingle Family Residence
SeasonalNo
Total Stories3
SurveyedUnknown
Timeshare/Fractional OwnershipNo

External Features

ColorWhite
DrivewayPaved
Exterior FeaturesBuilding, Partial Fence, Storage
FoundationFieldstone
GarageYes
Garage Capacity3
Lot FeaturesCity Lot, Landscaped, Level, In Town, Near Shopping, Neighborhood
Lot - Acres0.4
Lot - SqFt17,424
ParkingAttached, Auto Open, Barn, Driveway, Garage, On Site, Paved
Road Frontage TypePublic
Road FrontageYes
Road Frontage Length151
RoofAsphalt Shingle
SewerPublic
UtilitiesCable, Multi Phone Lines
Water SourcePublic
MLS®: PrimeMLS #5095121; Listed by Tate & Foss Sotheby's International Rlty · Tony Jalbert

Property History

Annual taxes for this property

YearAssessed Tax
2024$61,200
2023$59,670
2022$58,140

Estimated from list price; verify with the town assessor.

Market Data

Live snapshot computed from active listings in this town

  • Active listings in Portsmouth120
  • Average list price$1,160,650
  • Price range$469,900 – $2,500,000

Mortgage Calculator

Estimate your monthly payment for this home

20%
Loan Term
6.5%
Estimated monthly payment$24,054 / mo
  • Principal & Interest$18,204
  • Property Tax$5,100
  • Home Insurance$750

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

ElementaryLittle Harbor School
MiddlePortsmouth Middle School
High SchoolPortsmouth
DistrictPortsmouth
$3,600,000/ Asking Price
For SaleActive
Est. $18,204 / mo20% down · 30yr · 6.5%
Tom DeMatteo

Tom DeMatteo

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Questions About This Listing

What type of home is 53 Austin Street?

Single-family home in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, built in 1801.

How much does 53 Austin Street cost?

53 Austin Street in Portsmouth, NH is listed at $3,600,000.

That works out to about $471 per square foot.

What area is 53 Austin Street in?

The property is in Portsmouth, New Hampshire (03801).

How do I find 53 Austin Street on the MLS?

The MLS number is #5095121 (PrimeMLS), listed on June 17, 2026.

Is 53 Austin Street still available?

The listing's current MLS status is Active. Reach out and we can confirm availability and arrange a showing.

PrimeMLS

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.