HB Exclusive: The Surf Company partners with Life House on Maine properties

Maine-based real estate developer Taylor Perkins and his holding company, The Surf Company LLC, have partnered with Life House to operate its two beachfront hotels in York, ME. The portfolio, which encompasses nearly 140 keys on the beach in York, represents Life House’s first projects in Maine, with the intention to expand their partnership with The Surf Company up and down the New England coast.

About an hour north of Boston, York is one of the nation’s oldest cities, originally settled in 1624 by the Abenaki who called the town “Agamenticus,” a term they used to refer to the York River.

“We spent a lot of time talking with multiple companies that manage assets in this part of the world, and after careful deliberation, we ultimately identified Life House as being the most aligned with our vision for these assets,” said Perkins. “Life House’s brand dovetails perfectly with ours.”

Formerly the York Harbor Motel and Cottages, the York Beach Surf Club opens after a multimillion-dollar renovation that transformed the property into New England’s newest oceanfront resort, featuring two heated resort-style saltwater pools, multiple food and beverage concepts and a locally rooted storyline grounded in the unique history of surfing in Maine. The hotel’s 54 rooms, which range from oceanfront suites to two- and three-bedroom bungalows, allow guests the perfect accommodations to enjoy Maine’s picturesque seacoast from sunrise coffee to sunset cocktails, according to the operators.

“As we witnessed the frenetic evolution of the East Coast as a premier vacation destination during and post-COVID, we knew York, ME, was the right starting point, at the right time, and for all the right reasons,” said Perkins. “These projects have shifted our perspective and we needed someone that could accurately convey our narrative the way we wanted it told.”

A short walk up the beach from the York Beach Surf Club, The Sea Latch Inn (soon to be rebranded in 2022) encompasses 84 rooms and expansive grounds that deliver a quintessential New England hospitality experience, according to the operators. The three-story hotel has been hosting visitors from throughout New England for years. Perkins and Life House will reimagine the hotel as a “lifestyle property” prior to the 2022 summer season.

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Taylor and his family, and Life House’s entrance to the Maine market,” said Bryan Dunn, managing director, Life House. “We were immediately drawn to the Perkins’ deep family roots in Coastal Maine, and the culture of these assets aligns with the Life House guest experience. We look forward to working with their world-class team to deliver an authentically local hospitality experience in York and beyond.”