Property Features

"Calhau," a masterpiece by a NYC textile merchant, offers sustainable living with panoramic ocean views of Foss Beach, Awcomin Marsh & Rye Harbor. This 3,786 sq ft home blends heritage with modern luxury. The chef's kitchen boasts custom cabinetry, honed granite, and an Italian tile backsplash. Dual living rooms with expansive windows perfectly frame sweeping oceanfront views. The first-floor primary suite features marsh views and a spa-inspired bath. Two additional bedrooms each have en-suite baths. Interior details include: floating metal staircase, white oak wide plank flooring, 800 bottle wine cellar, and an interior greenhouse. 114" Marvin doors create seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Additional interior highlights include: custom lighting, wood-burning stoves, and repurposed elements from "Lexcasa," a Manhattan townhouse.

Design and Build of Calhau

The seller, merchant and former commercial developer in New York City, spent years traveling the world, sourcing rare fabrics and collecting inspiration from vibrant cultures and landscapes. Deeply rooted in the natural beauty of her homeland, São Miguel Island in the Azores, her creative vision blends heritage with global sophistication.

Ten years ago, she stepped onto a vacant, crumbling property by chance. The moment she turned and saw Foss Beach before her, something shifted — she knew she was meant to build a life and legacy there.

That moment became Calhau — her masterpiece. Named after the Portuguese word for “rocky beach,” it is a tribute to the raw, rugged coastlines that shaped her identity. Every element of Calhau is a reflection of her ethos: materials sourced responsibly, stylistic details selected with care, and a commitment to sustainability. From reclaimed design elements, to low-impact construction choices, the project honors the land it sits on and the world it draws from.

Calhau is a revitalization project that focuses on restoring the location and its purpose while respecting and preserving the environment.

A rare opportunity for the eco-conscious buyer or savvy 1031 investor seeking a legacy property in one of Rye’s most coveted oceanfront settings.

Founding of Calhau

The property had been abandoned for 10 years and was inhabited by wildlife when the seller, Lucia Moura, viewed it early one morning in June 2014. She was immediately drawn to the property and felt an emotional connection upon seeing the second-floor window, which reminded her of her childhood home. Lucia made the decision to purchase the house without a full inspection after viewing around 30 properties over four days, having been swayed by the nostalgic feeling the property evoked.

Lucia opted to renovate rather than demolish and rebuild her home due to restrictions set by the town and state, which limited the new construction to 1800 square feet, smaller than the original 2400 square feet. To comply with the requirement of retaining 20% of the existing structure and maintaining the original footprint, they demolished a small shed to gain additional space for a tower, resulting in a final size of 3,786 square feet with an extra floor.