Belcourt of Newport, Newport

Nestled gracefully along Newport's Bellevue Avenue, Belcourt is a former summer cottage that epitomizes the Gilded Age's extravagance. Designed by the renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt, this remarkable estate was commissioned by Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont. Construction of Belcourt commenced in 1891, with completion in 1894, and it was intended for use during a brief summer season, typically lasting only six to eight weeks.

Belcourt is a stunning architectural mosaic, showcasing a rich blend of European styles and periods. The estate primarily accentuates the grandeur of French Renaissance and Gothic design, while also weaving in influences from German, English, and Italian aesthetics. During the Gilded Age, Belcourt was recognized for not only its magnificent interiors but also its extensive stables and carriage areas, which were ingeniously integrated into the main structure.

This summer villa, spanning an impressive 50,000 square feet with 60 rooms, was envisioned by Oliver Belmont, a man deeply passionate about history, horses, and pageantry. The castle's architectural inspiration drew from the hunting lodge at Louis XIII's Versailles.

Upon completion in 1894, the entire first floor was dedicated to carriage space and an array of stables, an homage to Belmont's cherished horses. The interiors of the castle are no less splendid and reflect a sense of individuality and grandeur. The castle boasts grand Gothic rooms adorned with massive stained-glass windows, emblazoned with the Belmont family's coat of arms. The room's original damask, once a deep shade of blood red, has since been replaced with golden fabric. Notably, the Grand Staircase, now a replica of the stairs in the Cluny Museum in France, connects the Lower Grand Hall to Belmont's Upper Grand Hall on the second floor.

Belcourt has a rich history of opening its doors to the public, inviting visitors to explore its grandeur and indulge in antiquities and architectural and social history. Of the 60 splendid rooms that make up Belcourt, over a dozen were accessible to visitors on guided tours. A tour of this remarkable estate included a glimpse into its English library, banquet hall, chapel, grand halls, music room, dining room in Empire style, French Gothic-style ballroom, principal bedrooms, loggia, and gallery.