"It will be worthy of the land it is on," I promised. "The property and land will have significant tax valuation when finished, roughly double what it is now. Building in a manner that is historically correct yet modern inside is not cheap." The architect and general contractor answered questions about construction methods, water storage, solar panels, utilities, and other concerns. You wouldn't see them from the water because of their placement behind the building or natural features.

We spent thirty minutes at the site as they took pictures and made notes, then we looked from the other side before I led them down to the inlet. We loaded onto...