Schifter House Move Underway
The 8,300-square-foot house has been placed on dollies. It is in the process of being moved back 275 feet from the eroding Chappaquiddick coastline.
The 8,300-square-foot house has been placed on dollies. It is in the process of being moved back 275 feet from the eroding Chappaquiddick coastline.
Project got underway last fall and began in earnest in March. House move began on Saturday.
Project got underway last fall and began in earnest in March. House move began on Saturday.
Move was prompted by unprecedented erosion of Atlantic-facing coastline.
Move was prompted by unprecedented erosion of Atlantic-facing coastline.
New location of home will be 275 feet from bluff.
New location of home will be 275 feet from bluff.
Project engineer George Sourati, front, is overseeing massive, complicated move.
Project engineer George Sourati, front, is overseeing massive, complicated move.
Surrounding area has been leveled and cleared of vegetation.
Surrounding area has been leveled and cleared of vegetation.
Move has been a source of widespread interest, especially for the small Chappaquiddick community.
Move has been a source of widespread interest, especially for the small Chappaquiddick community.
Once house is moved, masonry block will connect concrete footings at new site to foundation.
Once house is moved, masonry block will connect concrete footings at new site to foundation.
Site is surrounded by ocean sounds, with waves crashing against the bluff below.
Site is surrounded by ocean sounds, with waves crashing against the bluff below.
House is being moved with the basement, which has a movie theatre and bowling alley, attached.
House is being moved with the basement, which has a movie theatre and bowling alley, attached.
Guest house and garage have already been moved elsewhere on site.
Guest house and garage have already been moved elsewhere on site.
Onlookers gathered Sunday to take in the scene.
Onlookers gathered Sunday to take in the scene.
To allow enough space to move the house, the family bought a neighboring property with a house on it; that house had to be moved as well.
To allow enough space to move the house, the family bought a neighboring property with a house on it; that house had to be moved as well.
A Chappaquiddick house was on the move this weekend, as the key part of a large and complicated project to relocate the home owned by Richard and Jennifer Schifter away from an eroding bluff began.
Shored up and resting on small, red-wheeled dollies, the 8,300-square-foot house was being angled and positioned over the weekend and will be in place soon at its new location 275 away from the bluff, project engineer George Sourati told the Gazette Saturday.
Read more about the unfolding effort to move the erosion-threatened home.