Watch Hill

Historic Ocean House Resort Reopens

by Michael B. Dougherty (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Real Estate Developments

Watch Hill, Rhode Island's majestic Ocean House resort has reopened for the summer 2010 season after a sweeping, $140 million renovation.

Originally opened in 1868, the Victorian-style property catered to the era's high society with its prime beachfront location and leisure class activities like croquet on the lawn, bathing and sailing, and afternoon tea. By 1917, the dining room could serve 500, bands traveled from New York to entertain guests and the Douglas Fairbanks vehicle American Aristocracy, filmed at the resort, had just been released.

But by the turn of millennium a series of fires, almost a century-and-a-half of wear and a shift in tastes away from the seaside resort vacation, left the Ocean House a ghostly shell of its former grandeur. When in 2004 a group of summer residents, led by Royce Funds president Charles M. Royce, attempted to salvage the original structure it was determined that it was too far gone, and so the decision was made to recreate the original Ocean House as a modern hotel with period charm.

The 152,660-square foot result is a faithful, and striking, homage to its provenance with 49 rooms and 23 private residences. Thousands of architectural elements were salvaged and recreated to populate the hotel, including a 19th-century elevator, reception desk, stone fireplace, moldings and chandeliers. Even the resort's 247 windows have been placed in their original locations and the exterior color remains the distinctive butter cream yellow.

Gallery: Ocean House

Tags: hotel, ocean house, rennovations, resort, rhode island, watch hill

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The Classicist: A Piece of Architectural History in Watch Hill, Yours for $19.5 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, The Classicist, Wealth

Last week The Classicist told you about a historic Hudson River estate being restored to its former glory. That posh property is being thoroughly enjoyed by its new owners, but there's another architectural gem of equally impressive provenance now available with the added bonus of oceanfront acreage – The Timbers in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Set high above the ocean on a picturesque stretch of beach, the majestic eight-acre compound comprises one of the grandest historic oceanfront estates in New England that's still in private hands. The mansion was built in 1917 and designed by celebrated architect John Russell Pope, who created the Jefferson Memorial and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The estate recently underwent a meticulous and historically accurate $10 million restoration, reflecting Pope's original vision. It's now been listed for sale by Christie's Great Estates affiliate Seaboard Properties for $19.5 million.

The opulent 10,500-sq.-ft. main residence was styled after a grand English Tudor manor and features baronial touches such as 15 elegant fireplaces, a magnificent grand staircase and a bell tower. In addition to panoramic ocean views it boasts wide-plank oak floors, wrought-iron chandeliers, archways, and light-filled, generously scaled rooms. The spectacular living room features 35-foot-high cathedral ceilings, exposed English oak beams, and a beautifully crafted wraparound balcony with a carved wooden balustrade. Large French doors on the east side of the living room open to a large covered veranda which features glorious views of the beach and the sounds of the surf as it rolls ashore. At the far end of the veranda, an octagonal dining area features an outdoor woodburning fireplace, wrought-iron chandelier, vaulted ceilings, and archways overlooking the ocean.

Gallery: The Timbers, Watch Hill

Tags: architect, architecture, beach, Christies, Christies Great Estates, historic houses, Jefferson Memorial, John Russell Pope, mansion, ocean, oceanfront, real estate, Rhode Island, Tudor, Washington, Watch Hill

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Chateau Ste. Michelle, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

This home in the seaside village of Watch Hill, Rhode Island seems to have been pressed into service as some sort of hotel or corporate retreat. The Chateau Ste. Michelle Estate is on a 4.82 acre parcel of land. The home was built in 1930 and then renovated in 1992. It has 14 bedrooms total with 15 full baths and another five half baths and there is an industrial kitchen big enough to feed all those people. The home also includes a pool table room, bar room and conference room. Outside there are tennis courts and an in-ground pool as well as amazing views of the Atlantic. It looks like it would take a bit of effort to turn this back into a family home. This estate is listed at $10.9 million.

Gallery: Chateau Ste. Michelle

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Tags: chateau ste. michelle, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, luxury real estate, rhode island, watch hill

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Hunter's Run, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

A stone house just seems to blend in so well on a property that has a grove of tall trees. Hunter's Run is on 3.62 acres in the fantastically picturesque area of Watch Hill, Rhode Island. This home was built to be tucked into the expanse of trees offering privacy and shade. The gabled home has a slate roof and the stone used in construction was quarried Rhode Island granite purchased from a mill site in the northern part of the state. The home is a newer build but has some old-fashioned details such as leaded glass and bronze casement windows, stained glass doors and several type of hardwood flooring. There are five bedrooms including a master suite with a marble fireplace. The home also a 60 foot deck across the front of the home which leads to a screened porch with an outside entrance. The grounds also include a carriage house and a gunite pool and spa. The home is listed at $4.35 million. After the jump, colored walls and bright white ceilings.

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Tags: estate of the day, luxury real estate, rhode island, watch hill, WatchHill

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