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The 118-year-old Atlantic House is set to be turned into an upscale restaurant and condominiums, one of a number of projects in the works to revitalize Short Sands Beach in York, Maine.
Photo by Deb Cram

York Beach makeover

By Beth LaMontagne
blamontagne@seacoastonline.com
February 23, 2006

YORK, Maine - York Beach will be getting a major facelift this summer.

On Tuesday, the Planning Board approved the renovation of one of the town's most noted landmarks, the Atlantic House. Known to locals as Pop's Shell Shack, the building will be completely gutted and the siding removed in order to create a tourist destination.

Developer Don Rivers said the new design calls for retail space on the bottom floor, a "destination restaurant" on the second floor featuring Boston chef Lydia Shire, and nine condominium units on the top two floors.

The design of the building was done by TMS Architects, the company that rebuilt the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel in New Castle, N.H. The architectural work was done by John DeStefano of DeStefano Architects in Portsmouth. Rivers said he was extremely pleased with DeStefano's work and that the end result will look similar to the original Atlantic House hotel, built 118 years ago.

Rivers said he needs to obtain a few permits to install gas and electrical lines, but expects work will begin in about a month. If all goes well, developers hope to have the retail shops and restaurant open by late August, he said.

Beach transformation

The Atlantic House renovation is part of a larger effort to revitalize Short Sands Beach, known for its old-fashioned arcade, T-shirt shops and The Goldenrod restaurant and candy store.

Less than 1,000 feet from Atlantic House, Kearsarge House developers have already received Planning Board approval to restore the exterior to the original Victorian style. The project will also create 19 condominium units above the restaurant and retail space on the ground floor.

Also working to revitalize the tourist spot, the York Beach Renaissance Committee has been developing a plan to improve the area between Railroad and Ocean avenues.

According to Planning Board Chairman Barrie Munro, the board gave its approval because it felt Rivers met all the criteria for conditional approval and the project would benefit the community.

Parking had been a concern for the board in past reviews, Munro said, but when considering the town's desire to revitalize the building, the board chose to implement an ordinance to waive the parking requirements.

"In the end, I think, although the Planning Board was not 100 percent satisfied ... it was becoming impossible to otherwise grant the permit unless we chose to implement (the ordinance,)" said Munro.