Lighthouse Station Under Construction, Dome To Be Restored
Construction is underway at Lighthouse Station, a new housing development that includes the Dome in Woods Hole from Longfellow Design Build.
Lighthouse Station At Woods Hole, the official name of the five-building housing complex, will take the place of the Nautilus Motor Inn that was adjacent to R. Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic dome. Longfellow Design Build purchased the property on Woods Hole Road at the end of 2016 and broke ground last fall.
The 5.4-acre property will have 39 market-rate units, including three pairs of side-by-side townhouse-style homes. It is named after the United States Coast Guard lighthouse service station, which is a facility in Woods Hole that has been servicing lighthouses since 1857.
Located on a natural bluff overlooking Vineyard Sound, the property will have luxury amenities coupled with views of Martha’s Vineyard. Units will be a mix of single-floor units and duplexes, with varying layouts and sizes.
A key feature of the property will be the Fuller Dome, which is undergoing preservation and restoration to ensure that, in the future, the public may come and appreciate its unique architectural design. The Dome was originally built in 1953 and has sat abandoned since 2002, after serving as a restaurant for many years.
“The Dome is being restored and protected,” said Mark Bogosian, owner of Longfellow Design Build. “Plans include gardens and walking paths fully accessible to the public, so the history and spirit of the building can inspire and be enjoyed by the community for generations to come.”
Mr. Fuller’s grand-nephew, architect Deacon Marvel, designed a historic restoration plan that has been approved by the Cape Cod Commission and is currently underway with supervision from historical preservation consultant Epsilon Associates. A preservation restriction was filed, which will ensure that the Dome’s architectural, historical, and cultural features are preserved in perpetuity. While there has yet to be an assigned usage for the Dome once it is restored, the plan says that the Lighthouse Station homeowners’ association may later propose a plan that would need approval from all local, state, and regional governing agencies.
The Lighthouse Station project was required to receive approval from Falmouth’s planning, zoning, and historical boards prior to breaking ground in the fall of 2021. Since then, the Nautilus Motor Inn buildings have been demolished, the site has been cleared, and the foundations for three of the five buildings have been laid. The Dome, throughout this process, has been isolated and protected from ongoing construction.
Restoration for the geodesic dome will include the replacement of windows, new exterior sheathing, removal of the kitchen wing, and a redoing of the interior, so that the Dome structure will be fully visible from inside. Additionally, the restoration plan includes a point to create a relationship with the Woods Hole Historical Society to allow for walking tours to be scheduled for the historic structure.
Work at Lighthouse Station will be done in stages, with the townhouse buildings scheduled to be completed first, and the 13 and 20-unit buildings to be done after. Residents will likely be able to begin moving in sometime during 2024.
“The interest we’ve seen by prospective buyers has been incredible,” Mr. Bogosian said. “Lighthouse Station is a great fit for this property by replacing a dangerous eyesore with needed housing for the Falmouth and Woods Hole communities.”