Beaulieu House, Newport

Beaulieu House is an estate on Bellevue Avenue featuring sixteen bedrooms, a library, a billiard room, and staff quarters overlooking Narragansett Bay. The layout combines spaces that were typical for wealthy households of the era.

Federico Barreda, a Peruvian merchant who accumulated wealth through guano trade, commissioned architect Calvert Vaux to build this estate in 1859. The property emerged during a period of intense economic activity in Newport.

The residence became central to Newport's social circles when John Jacob Astor III purchased it and renamed it from Barreda Villa to Beaulieu. The change reflected how the property attracted prominent figures who gathered there for social events.

The mansion is a private residence without public interior access, but visitors can view its exterior architecture from Bellevue Avenue year-round. The prominent location makes exterior viewing straightforward and convenient.

In 1961, Ambassador Wiley Buchanan Jr. acquired the property and added an expansive porch for hosting diplomatic gatherings. This addition reflects the property's later role as a venue for international meetings.

Location: Newport

Inception: 1859

GPS coordinates: 41.46110,-71.30470

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:05