HAMPTON – The Harris Sea Ranch is for sale after decades of serving as one of the beach’s staple motels.
Sea Ranch, founded by Ralph Harris and long run by the Houle family, was listed for sale without an asking price. Commercial broker Christopher Brown said the property was “unappraised” but the listing indicated the property’s potential.
“With its desirable location, Sea Ranch offers an exceptional opportunity for the redevelopment of a hospitality, multi-family or casino property,” the ad states.
The motel was closed for the second year in a row this summer. Brown provided a statement from owner Marylee Twomey thanking guests who have enjoyed the motel over the years.
“Harris Sea Ranch would like to thank our many guests who have stayed with us over the years,” the statement said. “Many have become true friends.”
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Harris Sea Ranch has been a staple in Hampton Beach for over 60 years
According to city records, the Harris Sea Ranch has been on the beach since it was built in 1958. Longtime business owners say the motel was one of the best on the beach at the time.
Tom McGuirk, the owner of McGuirk’s Ocean View, said his mother always told him about the decorative horses displayed outside the motel. She said that’s how she knew she was close to home.
“My mother always said it was the nicest motel in Hampton,” McGuirk said.
McGuirk said the motel was built at a time when many mid-century modern hotels were being built. Other hotels of this type on the beach included the Surf and the Tides Motel, which was once located on the Front Strip.
“Harris Sea Ranch is the last of these houses that still has that great mid-century beach look,” McGuirk said. “It was a great little property.”
Twomey did not return a call seeking comment this week. Her family bought the hotel from the Harris family in 1975, according to her mother, Sally Houle’s, obituary. McGuirk said she and her family have managed the motel well over the years and that guests who visit McGuirk’s Ocean View from the Harris Sea Ranch are always “the best customers.”
Bob Preston Jr., whose family operates Preston Real Estate, said his father, longtime state Sen. Bob Preston, was good friends with Twomey before his death in 2021. He said Twomey always let him have a parking spot at their motel so he could easily walk to one of his favorite hangouts, Ocean Gaming, next door.
“She said, ‘Bob, whatever he wants,'” said Preston Jr. “She was very nice.”
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What does the future hold for the Harris Sea Ranch property?
Twomey is looking to sell Harris Sea Ranch and emphasizes the property’s location in her real estate listing. Her broker’s statement says it’s “a rare opportunity to acquire a substantial piece of oceanfront property in the heart of Hampton Beach’s business district.”
It notes that the property is directly across from “Hampton Beach’s widest stretch of sand” and is located in the busy stretch between A and N Streets. This section is home to the Hampton Beach Casino and popular restaurants such as McGuirk’s, Bernie’s Beach Bar, the Sea Ketch and the Boardwalk Café.
“Hampton Beach continues to be one of New England’s most popular destinations, as evidenced by record-breaking visitor numbers on July 4 this year,” Harris Real Estate’s statement said. “These visitor numbers will continue to grow and increase throughout the year as more exciting developments are planned at the beach.”
The beach is in a transitional phase with many looking to renovate and expand their properties. The Sea Ketch recently announced plans for an expansion of its restaurant that would revamp the corner of G Street and Ocean Boulevard. The owners of the Hampton Beach Casino are considering a $600 million expansion and renovation of their property that could stretch two blocks from F Street to C Street.
Next to the Harris Sea Ranch, the recently renamed Beach Club Casino has undergone a complete remodel under new owner Greg Carlin. Carlin’s team said they could not comment at this time on whether Carlin would be interested in acquiring the Sea Ranch.
McGuirk, also a real estate agent on the beach, said the lot size is substantial compared to many other lots, which are only 50 by 100 square feet. The Harris Sea Ranch property is listed at 19,352 square feet on three lots.
McGuirk said the beach still needs hotels and motels for tourists to ensure it remains a family beach.
“There is a real need to keep Hampton Beach family and tourist friendly,” McGuirk said. “It’s absolutely necessary and the location is great for that.”
