Bette Davis‑Owned Maine Property Hits Market With $15M Price Tag

I don’t know about you, but there’s something hauntingly beautiful about old celebrity homes—especially when they sit by the ocean. You’re not just looking at real estate. You’re stepping into someone else’s story. And in this case, it’s the story of Bette Davis—one of Hollywood’s most iconic names—who once called this stretch of rugged Maine coastline home.

The estate, tucked away in Cape Elizabeth and playfully named Witch Way by Davis herself, has just hit the market for $15 million. It’s not just a mansion with ocean views—it’s a piece of Hollywood history wrapped in New England charm.

Davis lived here in the early 1950s with her husband, actor Gary Merrill, and their adopted twins. This was where they raised their kids, hosted pond hockey games, and pulled lobsters from the cove.

Now, decades later, that same property—with its sweeping views, two coves, and layers of personal history—is back in the spotlight.

A Modern Estate With Historic Soul

When you first step inside this place, it doesn’t feel like just another luxury property. It feels lived in—intentional. The current estate spans about 7,600 square feet, with a separate 2,000-square-foot carriage house tucked nearby. Both sit on roughly 8 acres of ocean-hugging land.

Mansion Global

reports that the main home was completely rebuilt in 2002, but it still carries the soul of what Bette Davis once called home. You’ll walk through a double-height foyer with a floating staircase and then drift into rooms like the cherry-paneled study with its own bath, and a reading nook that sits up in the top-floor cupola.

It’s the kind of house where you could host a black-tie dinner in the formal dining room and then curl up the next morning in the breakfast nook beside the fireplace. Every corner feels like it was designed for someone who understands how to live well—but without the flash.

That’s what makes this place different. It’s not trying too hard. It doesn’t need to.

This kind of elevated design mixed with Hollywood backstory reminds me of

Adam Lambert’s sleek Hollywood Hills home

, which also blended bold architecture with a personal touch.

“Witch Way”: A Family Home, Not Just a Hollywood Name

What really stayed with me while researching this home wasn’t the fireplaces or the walk-in closets—it was the stories. Michael Merrill, Bette Davis’s son, once told Portland Monthly how much he loved growing up here. He remembered two coves, a barn with goats, a vegetable garden, and even a dinghy he used to row around the pond.

You can almost picture it—kids chasing chickens, his dad (Gary Merrill) pulling lobsters from the traps, pick-up hockey games on the frozen water out back. They even had a hockey team named Merrill’s Marauders. It’s easy to forget that someone once built a full childhood here, with all its weird and beautiful moments.

If you’re the kind of buyer who values story over square footage, this part will hit you. Because once a home has this kind of history in its bones, no amount of new construction can fake it.

From Lifeguard to Local Star: Davis’s Deep Ties to Maine

This estate wasn’t just a summer hideout for Davis. Maine, in many ways, shaped her. Long before she won two Oscars, she worked as the first female lifeguard at Ogunquit Beach when she was just 18. Later, she performed in theaters around the region and even returned to film The Whales of August on Cliff Island in the 1980s—just miles from this property.

That matters more than it seems.

You see, a lot of celebrity homes feel disconnected—like trophies someone picked up for a season and moved on from. But not this one. Davis wasn’t a transplant who came and went. She built a life here, even raised her kids here, and stayed connected to the region for decades.

As a buyer—or even just a fan of her legacy—you’re not just walking through someone’s former residence. You’re standing where Bette Davis carved out part of her identity. That’s rare.

If you’re into rare real estate finds and untold stories behind iconic homes, there’s a small circle of people sharing these updates directly on WhatsApp. You might find it surprisingly addictive.

From $3.75M to $15M: The Estate’s Rise in Value

Now here’s something that might surprise you—this estate wasn’t always a $15 million listing.

Robb Report

notes that the property last sold in 2016 for around $3.75 million. The carriage house, which sits separately, was part of a separate deal valued at $1.45 million. Fast forward less than a decade, and the combined property now asks four times that amount.

So what changed?

It’s not just inflation or ocean views—this property represents something unique in today’s market: true legacy real estate. Very few homes blend location, architecture, and Hollywood history like this. And because of that, its value has grown not just in numbers, but in narrative.

If you’re looking at this through an investor’s lens, it’s worth asking yourself: is this just a rare home—or a once-in-a-generation asset?

We’ve seen similar value surges in star-owned properties before, like

Justin Bieber’s Beverly Hills rental

that bounced back after major price cuts.

Cape Elizabeth Living: Where Privacy Meets Prestige

I’ve always believed that real estate is more than four walls—it’s also where those walls exist. And Cape Elizabeth quietly offers one of the most desirable settings on the East Coast.

You’re close enough to Portland to enjoy the food scene and coastal culture, but far enough removed to feel like you’re in your own world. The neighborhood around this estate is lined with forests, rocky coves, and massive oceanfront homes—yet it still carries that small-town Maine vibe that makes locals fiercely protective of it.

There are great schools, friendly locals, and just enough distance between neighbors to make privacy feel natural—not forced.

And if you’re thinking of buying? You won’t just be stepping into Bette Davis’s history. You’ll be entering a place where people still wave when they pass your driveway. That’s something the luxury brochures never tell you—but it matters.

It’s that same lived-in feeling that made

Lily Collins’ midcentury California home

such a standout—it wasn’t just beautiful, it was intentional.

Why This Listing Stands Alone?

There are celebrity homes… and then there’s this one.

I’ve seen plenty of luxury listings, but few properties manage to hit all three pillars: location, legacy, and lifestyle. This estate isn’t just sitting on 1,200 feet of private oceanfront. It isn’t just beautifully rebuilt with every modern detail. And it’s not just “once owned by someone famous.”

It’s all of that—tied together with a real, emotional thread.

Davis didn’t just visit this home. She named it. She raised her kids here. Her son still talks about the pond and the berry bushes. The stories are part of the walls now.

So if you’re someone who’s buying for more than just square footage… this place hits different. It feels like a story that’s still unfolding. And maybe, just maybe, you could be the next chapter.

Would you ever live in a house with this kind of history? Let’s talk in the comments—curious what legacy means to you.

Thinking of Buying a Historic Estate? Here’s What to Know

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a legacy home like this, I want to be real with you—it’s not just about cutting a check and moving in.

With properties like Witch Way, you need to ask smart questions:

• Are there preservation laws or coastal regulations that could limit renovations?
• Will you need special permits for future upgrades or land use changes?
• How does insurance work for homes on the Maine coast, especially older or waterfront builds?

This is where a local expert matters. The listing is held by Bill Gaynor and Sam Michaud at Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty—people who understand the legal and architectural layers involved.

Buying a property with this kind of history isn’t just a transaction. It’s a commitment—to stewardship, to storytelling, and to respecting what came before you.

So if you’re serious, don’t just focus on the listing price. Focus on the bigger picture: What kind of legacy do you want to carry forward?

Want more stories like this one? Explore more celebrity home features and real estate insights at

Build Like New

.

Disclaimer:

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute real estate or legal advice. Property details are based on publicly available sources and may change. Always consult a licensed professional before making purchase decisions.

Table of Contents

• Bette Davis‑Owned Maine Property Hits Market With $15M Price Tag

  • A Modern Estate With Historic Soul

  • “Witch Way”: A Family Home, Not Just a Hollywood Name

  • From Lifeguard to Local Star: Davis’s Deep Ties to Maine

  • From $3.75M to $15M: The Estate’s Rise in Value

  • Cape Elizabeth Living: Where Privacy Meets Prestige

  • Why This Listing Stands Alone?

  • Thinking of Buying a Historic Estate? Here’s What to Know

• A Modern Estate With Historic Soul

• “Witch Way”: A Family Home, Not Just a Hollywood Name

• From Lifeguard to Local Star: Davis’s Deep Ties to Maine

• From $3.75M to $15M: The Estate’s Rise in Value

• Cape Elizabeth Living: Where Privacy Meets Prestige

• Why This Listing Stands Alone?

• Thinking of Buying a Historic Estate? Here’s What to Know