Listing of the Day
Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island
Price: $6.495 million
This week we’re looking back on the Listings of the Day that garnered the most attention from our readers in 2017: An amenity-filledwaterfront mansion in Florida, aBritish castleset on 32 acres, aDubai villa with a nightclub, a 1940s home perched above Los Angeles and a grand Victorian estate on the shores of Rhode Island. Some have sold and some are still available.
Up today: An estate on the rocky shores of Rhode Island.
The No. 1 Listing of the Day for 2017, the historic Stone Lea sits high above the granite cliffs of the most-eastern point of Narragansett.
In the four months since the home was first listed, it has had significant interest, said agent John Hodnett of Lila Delman Real Estate. Most of the enthusiasm has been from people from the northeast looking for a second home, he said, although one interested party came from as far as Minnesota for a tour.
"We’re happy with the activity," he said. "The viewings have been positive, but so far no one has been in the position or had the mindset to make an offer."
More:Jay Leno Spends $13.5M on Oceanfront Estate in Newport, Rhode Island
The almost $6.5 million price tag is rare for the area, Mr. Hodnett said, adding that homes in the $2 million to $3.5 million range sell more quickly. Still, Stone Lea is a unique property.
The home, built in 1884, not only looks out onto open ocean but also has expansive views of Newport and Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamesport, plus boat traffic, said listing agent John Hodnett of Lila Delman Real Estate.
In addition, the shingle-style Victorian home was designed by acclaimed architects McKim, Mead and White, a firm known for its work in the northeast at the turn of the 20th century. The architects’ credits include Columbia University and Pennsylvania Station in New York City and the Boston Public Library.
Stats
Spread out over 8,882 square feet, Stone Lea has five bedrooms and eight bathrooms on a two-and-a-half acre lot.
More:Newport Home of Campbell Soup Heiress Asks $12.5 Million
Amenities
Stone Lea has views from almost every room and a molded "grand piano" staircase.
"Stanford White always did something a little different in each house," owner Guy Lancellotti said earlier this year. Here, "he took one piece of wood and steamed and molded it to look like a grand piano."
There’s a seat at the top of the stairs with a view of the water, Mr. Hodnett added. Most of the home’s rooms have views, in fact, including the great room and a covered patio outside. There’s also a state-of-the-art kitchen with wine storage, a formal dining room and period elements, like crown molding, wainscoting and hardwood floors.
Outside, there’s a swimming pool and a "beautiful lawn that goes right down to the rocks," Mr. Hodnett said. Today, a residential site wouldn’t be permitted to have its lawn abutting the ocean, but those regulations were set long after Stone Lea was built.
The home is on the National Register of Historic Places, according to the listing.
More:A Block Island Compound With Incredible Water Views—And Potential Income
Neighborhood notes
The "ease of access" is one of Stone Lea selling points. "It’s 15 minutes to a train station," Mr. Hodnett said. "It’s just three hours to New York City, an hour and a half to Boston."
In addition, "there are fine sandy beaches five minutes away, and also parts of the coast that look like Maine," he said. Newport, where McKim, Mead and White also designed several homes, is just 20 minutes away, and Providence is about 30.
Agent: John Hodnett, Lila Delman Real Estate
Write to Listing of the Day