Newport mansion sells for highest price this year

The Orchard, one of the most historic mansions in Newport, Rhode Island, became the most expensive property to sell in Rhode Island this year. The stunning mansion on Narragansett Avenue was constructed in 1873 and is located on 4.75 acres on the famous Newport Cliff Walk. The Orchard is one of Newport's Golden Age Summer Cottages. The mansion and its elegant gardens were restored in 2019/2020 and are replicas of European chateaus. The mansion is elegantly furnished with classic furnishings, artwork, and curated antiques.

The mansion was built for Colonel George R. Fearing, born in 1839. He was the son of Daniel B. Fearing, a merchant banker from Massachusetts and one of the earliest residents of Newport. Fearing commissioned an architect from France to create drawings of a French chateau. The architect based his drawings on an 18th-century country house in Switzerland. An architectural firm in Newport adapted the drawings to create The Orchard. The mansion was constructed of Ohio limestone and Milwaukee brick.

The original gates to the mansion open onto a drive surrounded by elegant gardens. The Orchard features two outdoor, heated swimming pools and one heated indoor pool. One of the heated pools is the largest saltwater heated pool in Rhode Island. The pool has lap force technology. The property also features a jacuzzi hot tub and a lower-level spa. The large, elegant terrace is perfect for entertaining. The lighted folly features rare Italian statuary. The gardens feature rare trees, including Weeping Beech and Blue Spruce. An elegant feature is a 150-year-old Florentine marble and bronze fountain from Italy. The property also features two gazebos and two free-standing greenhouses.

The Carriage House features two self-contained apartments with a den, a heated conservatory, and an office/study. The mansion comprises 16,803 square feet of living space and includes a grand marble entrance hall, six reception rooms, and a kitchen, pantry, and breakfast room. The Orchard also has a master suite with a dressing room and private terrace, ten bedrooms, and ten bathrooms. The mansion and Carriage House are fully furnished.

Additional amenities at The Orchard include a movie theatre, a games room, a staff room, storage areas, an elevator from the main floor to the second floor, and three powder rooms. The Carriage House features 3,752 square feet of living space. The den/office/study opens to the heated conservatory. Each of the apartments features two bedrooms, cathedral ceilings, a kitchen/dining/living area, a heated, three-bay garage, a gardener's garage, and staff facilities.

The current owner of The Orchard previously restored six historic mansions in Newport. The Orchard, Carriage House, and elegant gardens have been meticulously restored to the highest standards while retaining the original characteristics. A significant part of the restoration project was the restoration of the three swimming pools. Central air conditioning has been discreetly installed. Part of the restoration also included an independent generator. The interior of the mansion features fine art and expert craftsmanship that includes exquisite paneling and molding, marble fireplaces, Baccarat crystal chandeliers, and mahogany doors. The reception rooms are reminiscent of a European chateau. The kitchen and pantry feature the original Art Deco character.

The mansion's ground floor features the indoor swimming pool, gym, spa, movie theatre, staff, and utility rooms. The first floor features two elegant staircases to the mahogany front door. The vestibule leads to an elaborate grand marble entrance hall, staircase, and reception rooms. The drawing room leads to the ornate gardens. Other features on the ground floor include an unusual bar and cigar room, a blue room, a sitting room, and a family room. The Kitchen/Breakfast Room, powder rooms, and room for arranging flowers are all on the ground floor.

The second floor of The Orchard features an elaborate master suite with a dressing room, a marble bathroom, and a private terrace with views of the ocean. This floor also features four other ensuite guest bedrooms. Four of the most attractive ensuite guest bedrooms are on the mansion's third floor. This floor also includes two more comfortable guest bedrooms and a shared classical period-style bathroom that's been completely restored. Furnishings include many of the original owner's private collections shipped to Rhode Island from England. One of the antiques consists of a 1930s-era baby grand piano from the St. James Club in Paris. The mansion, carriage house, and gardens are fully furnished. Several valuable antiques are available by negotiation.