'Hilltop'

97 105 Ruggles Avenue Newport, Rhode Island 02840 United States

Hilltop, the childhood home of Newport artist, Richard Grosvenor, was commissioned by Theodore W. Phinney and designed by noted architect Richard Morris Hunt. Enter the circular driveway through a wrought-iron gate to an oasis set back on a hill and surrounded by a grove of specimen trees on over three acres of rolling grounds in a private setting. The interior has the ambiance of a baronial lodge filled with intricate wood details and characterized by delightful details as one moves through the free-flowing spaces. A picture window with leaded glass panes bathes the soaring two-story library with morning sunlight and is flanked by a grand tiger-maple-and-oak staircase leading up to the stunning second-floor landing. Features include oak timber beams and joists with carved cattails, rosettes, and intricate basket-weave design throughout the first-floor public areas. The dining room with parquet floors looks out onto the living room’s massive stone fireplace and has an exotic tiled Moroccan oven adorned with a bronze relief by the architect's brother, William Morris Hunt. (It is currently used as a digestif bar.) With such a singular property, it is only natural that the current owner and her late husband, who had a passion for restoring vintage wooden boats, would have a vision to bring the property back to life. Within walking distance to downtown Newport, Cliff Walk, beaches, tennis, golf, and yacht clubs, this hidden gem awaits its new steward.