Bath Iron Works is selling a house for $1. But you have to move it.
Bath Iron Works Lists Historic Deering House for $1, But Buyer Must Relocate It by 2027
In a market where Maine’s median home prices have surged past $430,000, Bath Iron Works (BIW) is offering a unique opportunity: a historic house on Washington Street in Bath for just one dollar. However, this bargain comes with a significant catch—the buyer must move the entire structure to a new location by November 2027.
The property at 606 Washington St., known as the Deering House, was built in 1900 and has been leased to a vendor serving the Navy. BIW announced the listing on Facebook, emphasizing that the sale is part of broader development plans along the Washington Street corridor. The company is looking to remove three buildings— including this one and two others at 10 Bath St. and 32 South St.—to make way for parking expansions and traffic improvements tied to ongoing naval projects. Ultimately, the site is intended for a new office building to house the Navy’s supervisor of shipbuilding and other departments.
The Deering House is the most intact of the structures, but all are being sold as-is, with no warranties. The buyer will be responsible for creating a relocation plan and covering all associated costs and risks. BIW spokesperson David Hench confirmed in an email that the company is seeking partners who can preserve these buildings while accommodating the shipyard’s growth. Interested parties are directed to contact BIW via email for more details.
This listing highlights the tension between historic preservation and industrial development in Bath, a coastal community where housing affordability is increasingly strained. While the dollar price tag is enticing, the logistical and financial challenges of moving a century-old home underscore the complexities of such transactions. For those up to the task, it represents a chance to save a piece of local history, but only if action is taken well before the 2027 deadline.
