A British art dealer spent 15 years building a boathouse that looks like a medieval castle. Now he's selling it for $5.8 million.

Mikhaila FrielAug 25, 2022, 15:23 IST

A boathouse in Dartmouth, England, is on the market for $5.8 million.Savills

David Southwick designed a boathouse that looks like a medieval castle in Devon, England.
The property took 15 years to complete, and in 2008 Southwick and his wife moved in.

David Southwick spent 15 years building a five-story boathouse on the River Dart in Devon, England. Now it's on the market for £5 million, or around $5.8 million.

The boathouse on the banks of the River Dart, England.Savills

The four-bedroom property has scenic views of the River Dart and is one mile away from Dartmouth, a town in Devon.

The scenic views from the boathouse on the River Dart.Savills

In order to build the boathouse, Southwick said they had to demolish a much smaller property that stood on the site since the 1960s.

The original property that stood on the site.David and Annette Southwick

Southwick said they demolished the 1960s property but kept the original boathouse on the ground floor.

The original boathouse has stood on the site since the 1850s.Savills

The current property is more than 4,000 square feet across five floors and was built 19.5 meters below ground level.

The boathouse was put on the market in August.Savills

Although Southwick and his wife Annette only moved into the boathouse in 2008, he said people assume it's hundreds of years old.

The exterior of the boathouse was inspired by the ruinous village of Ninfa in Italy.Savills

After living on the property for 14 years, the couple now plan to relocate to Italy.

The decking of the boathouse looking out to the River Dart.Savills

The interior of the boathouse was designed to look like a yacht, with hatches on the floor for storage, Southwick said.

The kitchen.Savills

The kitchen leads into the living area. This room has glass paneling on the floor, which gives a bird's-eye view of the indoor swimming pool on the floor below.

The living area.Savills

There is a stairwell to the lower floors, however, Southwick said he helped design an elevator shaft that was never installed.

The stairwell.Savills

The pillared swimming pool was designed by De Lank Quarry, Cornwall, which is known for building London Bridge and the Princess Diana memorial fountain in Hyde Park, the listing states.

The swimming pool.Savills

The pillared swimming pool was designed by De Lank Quarry, Cornwall, which is known for building London Bridge and the Princess Diana memorial fountain in Hyde Park, the listing states.

This bedroom has oak flooring and double doors with views of the River Dart below.

One of the bedrooms.Savills

The library and study room has a built-in bookshelf with a ladder for the higher shelves.

The library.Savills

Southwick said the property is ideal for anyone who has ever dreamed of living in a castle.

A boathouse in Dartmouth, England, is on the market for $5.8 million.Savills

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A British art dealer spent 15 years building a boathouse that looks like a medieval castle. Now he's selling it for $5.8 million.

David Southwick spent 15 years building a five-story boathouse on the River Dart in Devon, England. Now it's on the market for £5 million, or around $5.8 million.

The four-bedroom property has scenic views of the River Dart and is one mile away from Dartmouth, a town in Devon.

In order to build the boathouse, Southwick said they had to demolish a much smaller property that stood on the site since the 1960s.

Southwick said they demolished the 1960s property but kept the original boathouse on the ground floor.

The current property is more than 4,000 square feet across five floors and was built 19.5 meters below ground level.

Although Southwick and his wife Annette only moved into the boathouse in 2008, he said people assume it's hundreds of years old.

After living on the property for 14 years, the couple now plan to relocate to Italy.

The interior of the boathouse was designed to look like a yacht, with hatches on the floor for storage, Southwick said.

The kitchen leads into the living area. This room has glass paneling on the floor, which gives a bird's-eye view of the indoor swimming pool on the floor below.

There is a stairwell to the lower floors, however, Southwick said he helped design an elevator shaft that was never installed.

The pillared swimming pool was designed by De Lank Quarry, Cornwall, which is known for building London Bridge and the Princess Diana memorial fountain in Hyde Park, the listing states.

This bedroom has oak flooring and double doors with views of the River Dart below.

The library and study room has a built-in bookshelf with a ladder for the higher shelves.

Southwick said the property is ideal for anyone who has ever dreamed of living in a castle.