One Site Left to Custom Build at Whipple Farm

OceanView at Falmouth, a full-service retirement community located off Middle Road in Falmouth, celebrates the completion of the 36th cottage at the Whipple Farm expansion to the OceanView campus with three new cottages currently in the construction phase. The project consists of 40 cottage-style homes and two townhouses in an antique reproduction barn. The master-plan includes the preservation of five acres of open space as conservation land, maintaining the picturesque view of the historic, pre-Revolutionary War farmhouse on the property.

"With most of the neighborhood completed, we've found that the new Whipple Farm residents are younger retirees and are not only coming from Maine, but are moving from out of state, as well," said OceanView Marketing Manager Gloria Walker. People are moving to Whipple Farm at OceanView from all over the U.S. with personal ties to the greater Portland area or family near by. Maine residents, of course, are joining Whipple Farm as well, and in slightly greater numbers. "There has been a lot of interest in being able to design your ideal retirement home within a very active, maintenance-free community like ours, and live just minutes from Portland," she said.

For Bob and Shirley Welch, moving to OceanView was truly coming home. The Welch's were both born and raised in Maine and both worked for Bell Labs. After living in New Jersey for 30 years, the Welch's decided to retire to Asheville, North Carolina.

"We've always felt like Maine was home and the opportunity to be part of the new Whipple Farm cottages was too good to pass up," said Shirley Welch. "Asheville was nice, but we missed being near the water and Bob missed his seafood," Shirley added. While Bob Welch was impressed with the design and quality construction of the Whipple Farm cottages, he said the maintenance-free living and shuttle service were also a big advantage, "I'm enjoying watching someone else take care of the yard work," said Bob.

The cottage-style homes at Whipple Farm are designed with traditional Cape Cod architecture. The Whipple Farm barn has been rebuilt and includes two townhouse style homes as well as common area space for a wood working shop, locker rooms, coffee cafe and indoor pool access. The three-season pool is approximately 20' X 60' in length and is the site of a very popular water aerobics class that runs from May through October. The 1756 farmhouse has been preserved and is available as a community meeting space and for resident programs. Falmouth Historical Society uses the upstairs for office space.

"The community atmosphere was a big selling point for me," said Judy Gass, a Massachusetts native and early buyer at Whipple Farm. "I sold my Cape Cod residence to be closer to my family and Portland. I lived in Portland a long time ago and it really has become a destination city," said Gass, whose daughter lives in southern Maine.

Included in the Whipple Farm project is the development of a loop walkway that connects to local schools via the Esther O'Brien trails, and is designed to enhance walking opportunities for OceanView residents and neighbors. Construction of the Whipple Farm project is expected to be completed in 2010.

The first resale at Whipple Farm (a large three bedroom cottage with sunroom and daylight basement) is now available.

The campus of OceanView at Falmouth also includes 67 additional cottage residences, 49 apartments in the Main Lodge, 20 apartments in Hilltop Lodge and 38 in Falmouth House, Assisted Living residence.

For more information about OceanView at Falmouth contact, Gloria Walker at (207) 781-4460 or visit our website