The housing shortage on Deer Isle is well known. At HomePort, we’ve addressed this by transforming a former nursing home into 23 unique, carefully designed apartments for seniors (55 and older) and essential workers – two groups vital to the vibrancy and sustainability of the greater Deer Isle community. This repurposing of a former medical care facility into housing is unique in Maine.

In addition to the 23 apartments, the property includes spacious common areas and gathering spaces, a laundromat, and garden and patio areas available to residents. Office spaces are also available for commercial use. The building infrastructure has been extensively upgraded to current standards and for operational efficiency.

We constructed the apartments for approximately $90,000 per apartment, well below the usual cost for new construction, which can be $200,000 per unit or more. By carefully managing construction costs, along with generous financial support from members of the Deer Isle-Stonington and Blue Hill Peninsula communities, it has been possible to keep monthly rents affordable. 

The renovation is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026.