Historic Houseboat Mirene Transitions to New Ownership
Matt Mullenweg, the distinguished cofounder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, is poised to acquire Mirene, a noteworthy houseboat that has served as the residence of Whole Earth Catalog architect Stewart Brand and his partner, Ryan Phelan, for several decades.
Constructed in Coos Bay, Oregon, and finished in 1912, Mirene was originally designed as a gasoline schooner intended for Alaska’s canneries before undergoing a transformation into a diesel tugboat in the 1930s.
Mullenweg revealed his acquisition offer in a blog post dated September 11, and The San Francisco Standard confirmed on September 16 that the agreement is now under contract.
The transaction encompasses a smaller houseboat owned by the couple, although the financial specifics of the deal remain undisclosed.
For Brand and Phelan, the impending sale signifies the conclusion of an era defined by restoration, life on the water, and a deep-rooted connection to Sausalito’s eclectic houseboat community.
This prospective acquisition underscores the lasting allure of historic waterfront residences, while signifying a pivotal transition for a vessel that has functioned both as a working craft and a creative domicile over the years.
A Vessel with a Century-Long Legacy
Mirene is anything but a conventional houseboat. Acquired by Brand and Phelan in the early 1980s, the couple dedicated years to its meticulous restoration, transforming it into a livable space while preserving its sailing capabilities.
Its storied past and seaworthiness set it apart from the stationary houseboats nearby—indeed, according to The San Francisco Standard, Mirene holds the singular distinction of being the only houseboat in Sausalito authorized to depart its mooring.
The couple’s extensive restoration work infused the vessel with character and authenticity that distinguishes it amidst its more stationary counterparts.
Moreover, Mirene is entwined with musical folklore. The San Francisco Standard suggests that a wooden table that the couple added may have been where Otis Redding penned the iconic “(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay” during a sojourn on a neighboring houseboat.
Although the validity of this connection remains largely anecdotal, it undeniably enhances Mirene’s appeal.
By contrast, the included smaller houseboat offers an alternative living arrangement as it remains stationary, featuring a bright, airy living space.
Mullenweg has expressed his intention to utilize Mirene’s kitchen table as his blogging workspace, blending residence with creativity.
From Initial Price of $1.8 Million to $1 Million Sale Listing
The proposed sale follows an extensive period on the market, with Mirene originally listed at $1.8 million. In July, its asking price saw a decrease of $100,000, and by August, it had been further lowered to $1 million.
The smaller houseboat’s asking price also dropped from $700,000 to $450,000, as recorded during its listing. However, these adjustments have not fixed the final sale price.
The San Francisco Standard disclosed on September 16 that the deal was under contract, yet the negotiated price was not publicly revealed.
Compass real estate agent Steve Sekhon informed the publication that nearly a year elapsed without any offers, despite the vessels’ refurbished condition.
He attributed the increased visibility of the listings to the price reductions. Reports also indicate a resurgence in the local houseboat market, where sales commonly conclude slightly below the asking figures.
Sekhon characterized the smaller vessel as a potential privacy buffer for Mirene’s buyer or as a standalone retreat for individuals seeking a home within the lush Sausalito surroundings.
For prospective owners enamored with the houseboat lifestyle, these two properties proffer distinct experiences—one on a vessel with a rich nautical history, the other in a stationary abode upon the water.
Acquisition Amid Organizational Turmoil at Automattic
This proposed acquisition unfolds during a period of turbulence for Mullenweg at Automattic. In September, the company’s board voted to place him on paid leave as CEO, temporarily appointing chief financial officer Mark Davies to the interim executive role.
However, Mullenweg returned to his position approximately 33 hours later, following the disintegration of the attempted leadership transition.
This upheaval was accompanied by the exodus of board directors entangled in the dispute, with reports emerging around September 14.
Subsequently, Automattic unveiled a new board on September 25, according to TechCrunch. The company is well known as the parent of prominent platforms such as WordPress.com, Tumblr, and WooCommerce, among others.
Despite these corporate challenges, Mullenweg has openly welcomed the opportunity to own Mirene. In his September 11 blog post, he reflected on the potential lessons of vessel maintenance and expressed a keen desire to immerse himself in blogging from the kitchen table.
Brand and Phelan now reside primarily on a waterfront property in Petaluma, with Phelan having also procured another Sausalito houseboat, ensuring her ongoing connection to the community. Mullenweg aspires to eventually pass Mirene on to a future steward decades from now.
The prospective sale intriguingly intertwines two individuals with a shared enthusiasm for independent publishing and the unconventional locales that foster creativity.
Should the transaction finalize, Mullenweg will inherit a historic vessel, shaped by over a century of maritime use, providing him with a new space to live and write on the water.
Brand, for his part, has conveyed a sense of optimism regarding the new owner, expressing his hope that the boat will bring them good fortune.
Source link: Timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
