If money were no object? Our paradise found would be, a dazzling historic oceanfront estate, that is superbly sited on 4.3 acres of Newport's Gilded Age coastline of ocean frontage that is for sale by Lila Delman. The dazzling historic oceanfront estate, is Fairholme and the perfect beach house finds gift. The main house, was built circa 1875 and designed by Frank Furness and is a Tudor revival masterpiece. The estate lies at the heart of this impressive compound, which also contains a picturesque six bedroom carriage house, three interconnected greenhouses, and a sybaritic swimming pool with a luxurious pavilion and outdoor living area overlooking the Atlantic.
A park-like setting with gracious gates introduce the impressive facade of the 20,000+ square foot main house. Inside you will find silk covered walls, delicately molded plasterwork and an immense limestone fireplace blended together in the entrance hall in soft harmonies of color and light. Across the south facing rear of the house, is sun, sky and views of the sea pour in through the leaded glass windows and doors. Once in the great hall space,to the west side of the hall is an intimate receiving room with a marble fireplace, a paneled library with an elegantly carved wood fireplace, and a spacious oceanfront salon giving way to a graceful barrel-vaulted Horace Trumbauer ballroom. a long terrace runs parallel to the salon, overlooking a wide clean expanse of lawn that sweeps down towards the sea. Step back inside, to the east of the main hall to the delicately hued dining room with magnificent ocean views, and an elaborate marble fireplace. Their is a substantial waterfront kitchen and butler’s pantry, along with an extensive service wing, are located beyond the dining room, while two additional floors of staff living and sleeping rooms are located directly above.
The carriage house is 4000 square feet, contains a three bedroom apartment, two staff suites, a one bedroom apartment, an office, a gym, and a parking garage that can accommodate five cars. The stunning infinity edge swimming pool and decorative pool house pavilion lie to the west of the house. On the shore side, retractable glass walls allow for unobstructed appreciation of the oceanfront setting. Two heated marble cabanas, a covered lounging area, and an extensive sound system complete the pool amenities.
The social history of the Fairholme property is rich in detail. Fairholme was first created as a "summer cottage" for Fairman Rogers of Philadelphia, a wealthy arts patron and engineer. Twenty years later, the Drexel family, purchased the property and promptly enlarged and updated it, adding the Trumbauer ballroom and tower and otherwise modernizing the interior. Fairholme became the setting for lavish Newport entertaining, attended by friends and neighbors such as the Vanderbilts, the Astors, the Van Beurens, and the Belmonts. Later, the estate was acquired by the Count and Countess Alphonso Villa, followed by industrialist railroad magnate Robert Young, whose wife Anita was the sister of artist Georgia O'Keefe. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor were close friends of the Youngs and were frequent guests at the estate during their tenure there, as was Jack Kennedy, who often made use of the swimming pool.
This house is what dreams are made of.
237 Ruggles Avenue
Newport RI
Price $18,000,000
Melanie Delman
Phone 401-284-4820
EMail melanie.delman@liladelman.com
Photo Credits: Lila Delman
