Executive Domains

A visit to the Gilded Age with this Newport manse

Boston Business Journal - June 1, 2007 by Teri Borseti Special to the Journal

In 1880, William B. Astor Jr. purchased an Italiante waterfront home in Newport for the sum of $190,000, as an anniversary present for his wife, Caroline Webster Shermerhorn-Astor.  Mrs. Astor was the first lady of New York society to summer at Newport, transforming the charming seaside town into a playground for the very rich during America's Gilded Age.  It was from this seaside "cottage" that she single-handedly developed "the 400," the New York Social register that included only the best and wealthiest families.

The Astor's Beechwood home located on Bellevue Avenue, dubbed "Millionaire's Row," fast became "the" place to build summer homes for many families including the Vanderbilts.  Lady Astor hitred architect William Morris Hunt to renovate the home for the purpose of entertaining.  The renovations included the addition of a 37-foot-by 57 Beaux de Arts ballroom.

The house remained in the Astor family until 1940.  After changing hands several times it eventually fell into a state of disrepair.  In the 1970's, former venture capitalist Robert Milligan purchased the home for $1 million and began an intesive restoration.  The pricey labor of love was worth every penny and once the home was returned to its original grandeur, Milligan opened its doors as a Victorian Living History Museum...

..."For the past 25 years, the Beechwood Theater Company, which includes 14 full-time actors, some of them who live on the third floor of the house, brings history to life and people love it," said Milligan.

With other projects planned, Milligan has decided to sell the mansion and theater company and has listed it at $16 million with Melanie Delman of Lila Delman Real Estate in Narragansett.

"This house offers a unique opportunity for a group or person with some vision and the location couldn't be better.  The property is a piece of American history," Delman said.

The five acre parcel is a prime piece of property beautifully sandwiched between Bellevue Avenue and the Atlantic Ocean.  No detail was spared on building or renovating the 39-room house, which is every bit as impressive today as when it was originally constructed.  Enormous rooms throughout the house have custom detailed 20-foor ceilings and rich wainscoting.  There are 10 fireplaces, eight baths and three kitchens.  A blue French parlor, where Mrs. Astor once planned weddings and parties, is designed to look like Wedgewood.  According to tradition the plaster rose ceiling medallion, a symbol of silence, meant that everything said "under the rose" was to remain private...

..."In addition to the performances, we host a murder mystery theater and a speakeasy night with a great jazz band and both events have become very popular.  The house is also regularly booked for weddings and corporate dinners and events," Milligan said, adding,"The house, without a doubt, has the 'wow' factor."

The Boston Business Journal - June 1, 2007

By Teri Borseti Special to the Journal