Introducing the Star of Hope Lodge, a remarkable piece of Maine’s architectural, artistic, and cultural history in the heart of Vinalhaven. Offered at $1.4 million and listed by Elizabeth Banwell, this extraordinary property offers a rare opportunity to become the next steward of a landmark with an exceptional story.
Born Robert Clark in New Castle, Indiana, in 1928, Robert Indiana became one of the most recognizable American artists of the 20th century, emerging as a leading figure in the Pop Art movement. His work is known for bold typography, vivid colors, numbers, and words, often exploring themes of American identity, culture, and language. His iconic LOVE image, first created in the 1960s, became one of the most widely recognized works of modern American art. For more than four decades, Indiana made Vinalhaven his home, living, working, and creating at the Star of Hope Lodge until his death in 2018.
Built in 1884 during the height of Vinalhaven’s granite industry, the approximately 7,000-square-foot, 12-room Second Empire Victorian stands in the heart of the island village, next to the Vinalhaven Post Office. Water views extend toward Vinalhaven Harbor from the front and across Carver’s Pond from the back. Its mansard roof, central tower, and widow’s walk recall an era when Vinalhaven granite and craftsmanship contributed to some of America’s most celebrated landmarks.
But the story of the Star of Hope Lodge extends well beyond its architecture.
Robert Indiana’s Home, Studio & Museum
For more than 40 years, renowned Pop artist Robert Indiana made the Star of Hope his home, studio, and museum-a place where he lived, worked, and created. His time at the Lodge established a lasting connection between the historic Vinalhaven property and American art history.
That connection is reflected in recent coverage of the property. Realtor.com described the Star of Hope as a “live-work Star of Hope Lodge,” where Indiana made his home and studio for more than 40 years, using the first-floor commercial storefronts as his workspace while living upstairs. The Midcoast Villager offers an even broader glimpse into the building’s significance, describing it as Indiana’s “home, studio, archive and personal museum.”
Mainebiz likewise notes that Indiana, who is often associated with Pop art and his famous LOVE sculpture, lived there for four decades, until his death in 2018. The site is owned by the nonprofit Star of Hope Foundation.
Together, these accounts capture what makes the Star of Hope Lodge so unusual: a historic Maine building that became the home, creative workspace, and personal world of a major American artist.
"This history gives the property a direct documented connection to an American artist and an exceptional provenance," says Elizabeth Banwell, the listing agent.
Preserving the Past
The Star of Hope Lodge underwent a significant 2020–2022 stabilization project that addressed structural needs, water and pest intrusion, and three of the building’s four exterior walls. Documentation of completed and recommended future work is available for its next steward.
“In addition to the substantial stabilization that has been completed, the sellers have saved all light fixtures and furniture, and carefully documented and stored all architectural details that were removed. These items and the work that has been completed are invaluable,” Elizabeth adds.
Throughout the project, lighting and architectural details have been preserved, maintaining the historic character that makes the Lodge so distinctive.
The work provides a foundation for the property's future while respecting the history contained within its walls. With commercial and residential possibilities, the Lodge offers its next owner the chance to reimagine its future while respecting its remarkable past.
"I am honored to represent this remarkable property which has lived through so many significant eras of Maine and U.S history." said Elizabeth.
A New Chapter for a Remarkable Property
Today, the Star of Hope Lodge offers both commercial and residential possibilities, giving its next owner the opportunity to thoughtfully reimagine its future while respecting its remarkable past.
"The sellers have done a fantastic job ensuring the building is solid and sound and ready for the next owners to create its next chapter." Elizabeth adds.
The Star of Hope Foundation, which supports artists and cultural initiatives in Maine and on Vinalhaven, is offering the property for sale. For nearly half a century, the building was an important part of Robert Indiana’s life and creative legacy. Now, it awaits a new chapter.
Few properties bring together architecture, art, history, and place quite like the Star of Hope Lodge. For its next steward, this is an opportunity not simply to own an extraordinary historic property, but to preserve an important piece of Maine and American art history and give this Vinalhaven landmark new life and purpose.
Explore this listing: https://legacysir.com/properties/46-main-street-vinalhaven-me-us-04863-349ff77e9170b12598fda4f709ae68c5
