Lila Delman Real Estate has just announced the sale of Belcourt Castle in Newport, RI. The palatial 27,000 SF structure, built for financier August Belmont's son in 1894 and later home to the Vanderbilt family, was designed by Richard Morris Hunt. Hunt, the premier 19th century architect in America, is today best known for such spectacular Gilded Age masterworks as Marble House, Ochre Court, and the Breakers, all of which are in Newport, as well as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Belcourt Castle was conceived as a French-inspired hunting chateau for the sports-minded Belmont, and is currently one of the last of Newport's Hunt-designed properties to remain in private hands. In 2009, Lila Delman was responsible for the sale of yet another historically important Hunt Gilded Age "cottage," Indian Spring, now known as Wrentham House.
Harle Tinney, the seller, is delighted with the new owner's plans to restore the property to its original splendor. The Tinney family has called Belcourt Castle home for over 50 years, and have successfully run the property as a museum and tourist attraction for decades. Listing agent Kate Leonard of Lila Delman believes that the preservation and stewardship of properties like Belcourt Castle are vital to the historic fabric of Newport, adding, "I'm proud to have been able to represent this significant and historic property - it's exciting to help this great old house move towards a new future."
Melanie Delman, president of Lila Delman Real Estate, expanded upon Leonard's remarks, saying, "Great houses like Belcourt Castle are crucial to Newport's identity and serve to define a historical moment. We believe it's a privilege to be able to participate in the rebirth of these unique luxury properties." Delman, a strong advocate of preservation and a life-long Rhode Islander, has won several state awards for renovations to her Newport & Narragansett offices and the company has recently launched an innovative Newport historic house tour mobile app in partnership with the Newport Historical Society.
ABOUT LILA DELMAN REAL ESTATE
Lila Delman founded the company’s original office in Narragansett nearly 50 years ago. Since then, Lila Delman Real Estate has grown to include 6 strategically located offices, over 90 associates, a marketing department that creatively uses online social media, and an award winning website. Utilizing international marketing partners such as Christie’s International Real Estate, Mayfair International Realty and Luxury Portfolio, the firm is consistently a frontrunner in the luxury market. For more information please visit www.LilaDelman.com .