Hunt Slonem is known for his colorful, neo-expressionist paintings with butterflies, bunnies, and tropical birds—but he’s been making headlines lately for his real estate moves. The famous artist seems to be trading one Gilded Age masterpiece in his portfolio for another. Just recently, he listed a 16-bedroom, 12-bathroom Catskills manse built in 1906 for a copper baron for $3 million. Now, he has scooped up a massive “cottage” in legendary Newport, Rhode Island for $16 million.
Slonem’s new spread, Seaview Terrace, is the largest privately-owned Gilded Age home in Newport standing at 43,772 square feet. It’s also the fourth-largest Newport cottage overall, following behind icons like The Breakers, Ochre Court, and Belcourt.
We know what you’re thinking: Mansions of such magnitude can hardly be classed as cottages. That’s true. In fact, these Gilded Age residences—called “summer cottages” among the Vanderbilts, Carnegies, and Astors—inspired the tongue-in-cheek title of Cottages & Gardens publications.
Bourbon whiskey businessman Edson Bradley Jr. had Seaview Terrace built in 1925 as a 50th anniversary gift for his wife. But, what is it like 101 years later? It sits on eight acres between historic Bellevue Avenue and Cliff Walk. There are 40-foot ceilings, grand ballrooms and galleries, circa-1480 Venetian frescoes, 22 stained-glass panels documented by Corpus Vitrearum, and not one or two—but three—tennis courts. Oh, and 29 bedrooms for close friends.
No stranger to buying historic properties, Slonem likely has meticulous plans for this extravagant antique. If he restores and furnishes it like his Upstate New York manor, the artist will approach the detailed manse with high esteem for its architecture and authenticity while seamlessly bringing in whimsical artwork and pops of color. When he’s done, it’s almost certainly going to pay homage to Newport’s Golden era and be utterly magazine-worthy.
Kimberly M. Dougherty of Compass represented Slonem, while Stay Newport held the listing.