New Spanish-New England Split Level Ranch Debuts at 8 Yarmouth Road-October 20, 1965

A Blend of Spanish Influence and New England Tradition-October 20, 1965

A striking new custom home merging Spanish architectural influences with traditional New England design is opening its doors for a public weekend inspection. Located at 8 Yarmouth Road near the Westwood town line, the expansive 10-room split-level ranch will welcome prospective buyers on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Built and developed by Frank Portugal—a native of El Paso, Texas, who previously built homes in the Washington, D.C., area and recently completed the Windsor Gardens apartments in Norwood—the residence has already earned the prestigious Blue Star Award from the Gas Division of the New England Electric System. Priced in the upper $50,000 bracket, the fully air-conditioned structure rests on 15,000 square feet of landscaped grounds.

Luxury Features and Unique Design Elements-October 20, 1965

The custom residence boasts an 85 percent masonry exterior and an array of high-end features designed for modern family living:

• Bedrooms & Baths: Five bedrooms and three full bathrooms.
• Living Spaces: Three fireplaces, including a brick-fireplaced kitchen, a spacious living room highlighted by a custom mural of Beacon Hill, and a separate formal dining room.
• Outdoor Living: Sliding glass doors open from the master bedroom into a private Spanish solarium, while additional sliding doors connect the dining room and kitchen to multiple brick-walled patios. The grounds also feature a built-in barbecue fireplace, a kidney-shaped swimming pool centered with a bird bath, and extensive planting areas.
• Kitchen & Utility: A 24-foot kitchen equipped with built-ins, provincial cabinetry, and an integrated laundry center.
• Safety & Convenience: A fully outfitted fallout shelter designed to accommodate 12 persons located beneath the house, along with a two-car garage featuring an electric-eye door opener.

Open House Attendees and Future Projects-October 20, 1965

Ahead of the public opening, local business and industry leaders gathered for a private preview of the model home. A photograph by Kenneth F. McLean captured builder Frank Portugal alongside visitors Paul Harvey, William Poist (manager of the Norwood Gas Co.), and Raymond Acciardo (executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Boston).

Having operated in Norwood for four years, Portugal announced plans to expand his development portfolio further, sharing that he intends to construct a new apartment complex on the South Shore the following year.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger