Belcourt Castle, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Jun 5th 2009 at 1:01PM

Another beautiful home in Newport, Rhode Island has hit the market. I've had my eye on it since 2006 when the "summer cottage" designed by Richard Morris Hunt was in transition after the death of owner, Donald Tinney who had bought the home in 1956 for $25,000. Mrs. Tinney has vowed to preserve the home, a 65-room, 19th century castle that has been open for years for tours and private events and the couple had battled a long time to keep the home, waging a legal battle against a handyman that Ruth Tinney, Donald's mother, had adopted after her husband's death. The home was almost sold to Peter de Savary, the English businessman who developed Carnegie Abbey in Portsmouth but the deal fell through. The castle re-opened for tours at that time and like other homes in the area is rented out for weddings and events.

But now, as Robert Frank of the Wall Street Journal's Wealth Report reveals, the home is up for sale. The 60-room mansion was built in 1894 for Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont, the youngest son of August Belmont, of Rothschild Banking fame. It is said to have cost $3 million to build a figure that Frank says is equal to about $75 million in today's dollars. Belcourt Castle was used to display his collections of armor, medieval manuscripts and things related to Oliver Belmont's love of horses (the Belmont Stakes horse race was named for his father). The entire first floor was composed of carriage space and a multitude of stables for Belmont's prized horses. Belmont later married Alva Vanderbilt, the former wife of William Kissam Vanderbilt who converted the carriage room into a banquet hall and transformed a study into a boudoir. The house itself isn't haunted but it is said that the Gothic ballroom has haunted chairs and a suit or armor that may also be haunted. It is listed for $7.2 million with Judy Chace.

A far more well-preserved example of Gilded Age decadence, the Astors home, Beechwood Manor in Newport has been on the market for two years and started at $16 million but is now listed at $12.9 million. Oakwood, another home with an Astor provenance hit the market for $10.75 million last year and has been reduced to $7.9 million. Hopedene on Newport's famous Cliff Walk went on sale last year at $22.5 million and now sits at $19.5 million.

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Gallery: Belcourt Castle

Tags: belcourt castle, BelcourtCastle, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, luxury real estate, LuxuryRealEstate, newport rhode island, NewportRhodeIsland

Filed under: Estates

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

LittleMiss Jun 5th 2009 6:15PM

Not one of the homier estates in Newport.

Judy Chace Jun 5th 2009 10:11PM

If you have an interest in obtaining more information about Belcourt Castle,
please contact the listing agent as the link supplied in the text goes to the incorrect person!
Judy Chace
Broker Associate
Residential Properties
401.207.9166
judy@judychace.com
www.judychace.com

Marisa Ferris Jun 10th 2009 1:55PM

I am appalled that you would post a link to a realtor, that is not even the lising agent!! Is anyone checking their facts or do you just post what ever you want on a whim??? Shame on you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SOLON Jul 8th 2009 10:51AM

The legal wrangling over this handyman's special promises to linger on. A news blog after Belcourt Castle hit the market stated that Kevin Tinney, Ruth Tinney's adopted son, filed a lien on the mansion stating that Harle Tinney should be charged with 2nd degree murder, or Involuntary Manslaughter and other charges.

Kiku Jul 11th 2009 12:59PM

Also:

Kevin Tinney filed a petition contesting Donald Tinney’s will that made Harle Tinney the heir to his estate. In the document, Kevin Tinney claims the will is invalid.

Bixby Aug 1st 2009 2:04PM

“Mrs. Tinney, who still lives in the house, conducts the tour. Her story is interesting, as well, especially since for the purpose of this tour, she describes what it is like living in a haunted house for the past 40 years (some 17 ghosts inhabit Belcourt, a sprawling home with 60 rooms).”

http://www.travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/NewportMansions.html

This may be one of the material facts that will reduce the selling price.

HarvardYard Aug 3rd 2009 8:35PM

I have been coming to Belcourt Castle for the last 19 years. I love the history, architecture, and the antiques. Belcourt is a must see for everyone. It is the third largest mansion in Newport after The Breakers and Ochre Court and also the largest PRIVATELY owned mansion in Newport as well.

Chelsea Aug 4th 2009 2:00PM

This mansion should be enrolled in the Cash for Clunkers program. It’s an energy guzzler and eyesore that should be razed within 180 days, whether all usable parts have been salvaged or not.

LEGAL EAGLE Aug 5th 2009 10:22AM

Like many residents of Newport, I have followed the tale of the Tinneys for the last 12 years.

Kevin Tinney’s lawsuits will remain a serious problem for the owner and any buyer. His overall legal stratagems appear well-developed and well-timed, and he seems to be refraining from playing out his hand until the bait is totally consumed.

The owner of record of Belcourt Castle is HARLE H TINNEY AS TRUSTEE. This cracks open the door to expand the base for many more years of litigation from Mr. Tinney, whether the property is sold, leased or held.

This case will end up like Jamdyce vs Jamdyce.

I've got a bridge to sell to you! Aug 15th 2009 4:29PM

The name of Belcourt Castle was originally Belcourt. In the spirit of unbridled entrepreneurial license granted to the Tinneys by the Tinneys, the Tinneys added the term “castle” to Belcourt because the literal translation of “chateau” in French is “castle” in English.

The front entrance of Belcourt Castle was originally on Ledge Road, a short road which runs parallel to Bellevue Avenue. This entrance is a few feet from the curb and the effect was that the rear of Belcourt was turned to Bellevue Avenue. In another act of unbridled entrepreneurial license granted to the Tinneys by the Tinneys, the Tinneys proclaimed that the rear entrance was the front entrance.

Just as Jon Lovitz said: "Yeah, that's the ticket!"