LIFE BEYOND FIRST CLASS
ESTATES
CRAFT MEETS
COASTLINE
Set across 14 acres in Watch Hill, this architecturally layered coastal estate blends historic craftsmanship, expansive ocean views, and thoughtfully designed outdoor living to create a rare and enduring private retreat.
Watch Hill, Rhode Island | Price Upon Request
SAMANTHA GREENE
PHOTOGRAPHY: AMANDA PAULHUS
In Watch Hill, one of the Northeast’s most storied coastal enclaves, land is as significant as architecture. With its elevated oceanfront positioning, historic character, and a pace that resists overdevelopment, the area has long attracted those who value discretion, legacy, and a connection to the sea that feels both enduring and deeply personal.
Set across 14 acres, this estate offers a scale that is increasingly rare within Watch Hill, where large parcels are seldom assembled and even less frequently brought to market. The setting is expansive yet intentional, positioned to capture a remarkable sweep of views that extend across Block Island, the Misquamicut Golf Course, and toward Long Island and Montauk on a clear day. It is a vantage point that defines the experience of the home, where horizon and landscape remain in constant dialogue.
“The house was really about capturing those views,” the owner shares. “On a clear day, you can see in multiple directions, it changes constantly depending on the light and the weather.”
The residence itself is a study in layered craftsmanship, shaped by a vision that blends the intricacy of the Victorian period with the relaxed character of seaside architecture. Rather than relying solely on new materials, the home incorporates architectural elements sourced from historic properties, creating an authenticity that cannot be replicated.
“I worked with a restoration specialist who sourced pieces from older homes, many from Beacon Hill,” the owner explains. “The doors, the stained glass, even some of the details you see throughout, they all come from homes that had a real sense of history. I wanted to bring that into this setting.”
The entry begins with a commanding presence. An oversized mahogany door, complete with original hinges and hardware, sets the tone immediately. These proportions carry throughout the home, where doors, passageways, and ceiling heights reflect a scale more often associated with early American estates than modern construction.
“They’re larger than what you typically see today,” the owner notes. “Those older homes had higher ceilings, so everything was built to match. It gives the house a different feeling when you walk through it.”
Throughout the interiors, historic stained and leaded glass panels have been thoughtfully integrated, each piece over a century old. Positioned in hallways, kitchens, and transitional spaces, they introduce a sense of history and craftsmanship that shifts with the light, casting subtle color and texture into the home’s daily atmosphere.
“I liked the idea of bringing in something unexpected,” the owner adds. “The stained glass gives the house an eclectic layer without taking away from the coastal feel.”
The material palette continues this narrative. Imported Mexican tile grounds the kitchen and circulation spaces, offering both durability and warmth, while select bathrooms and powder rooms incorporate stone and tile sourced from France and Italy. The result is a layered aesthetic that feels collected rather than designed, where each surface contributes to the overall character of the home.
Overhead, cypress wood ceilings extend across the primary living spaces, including the kitchen, living room, dining room, and study. Their tone and texture soften the scale of the interiors, creating a sense of warmth that balances the home’s architectural presence.
One of the most distinctive architectural moments is found in the octagonal study, a space that rises through the home and anchors its design. Referencing traditional Watch Hill forms, it introduces both geometry and intimacy, offering a quiet retreat within a residence designed for gathering.
“I wanted certain rooms to feel different from each other,” the owner says. “The study is one of those spaces, it has its own shape, its own feeling, it’s a place you naturally gravitate toward.”
The layout reflects that intention. Multiple sitting areas are positioned throughout the home, creating spaces that invite conversation, privacy, or reflection depending on the moment. Despite its size, the house carries a sense of comfort, where scale does not overwhelm but instead allows for a variety of experiences within a single residence.
“It was always meant to be a house for hosting,” the owner explains. “There are a lot of places for people to gather, but also places where you can step away and have your own space. That balance was important.”
Outdoors, the estate transitions seamlessly into a private coastal retreat. Two maintained and fenced gardens provide structure and seasonal color, while the broader landscape remains open and expansive. The pool and spa are integrated into the setting with fieldstone and natural materials, creating a composition that feels grounded rather than imposed. A built-in waterfall introduces movement and sound, reinforcing the connection between architecture and environment.
Adjacent, the pool cabana extends the functionality of the outdoor space. Equipped with a changing area, full bath, hot shower, and refrigeration, it allows for extended use throughout the day. A fully built outdoor kitchen, featuring an eight-burner grill and additional cooktop, supports large-scale entertaining while maintaining the ease expected in a coastal setting.
The positioning of the home across the land ensures that views remain uninterrupted and varied. At different moments, the landscape shifts, from the open water to the structured greens of the golf course, to the distant outlines of coastline across the Sound.
“The land gives you a sense of privacy that’s hard to find,” the owner reflects. “You feel removed, but you’re still connected to everything that makes Watch Hill special.”
What defines this estate is not a single architectural gesture, but the cohesion of its elements. Land, history, craftsmanship, and setting come together in a way that feels both deliberate and enduring. It is a property that reflects a particular approach to living, one that values character over uniformity, scale without excess, and a connection to place that extends beyond the structure itself.
In Watch Hill, where opportunities of this magnitude are increasingly limited, this offering represents something more than a residence. It is a rare convergence of land, view, and design, held within one of the Northeast’s most enduring coastal settings.
Price upon request.
For more information or to schedule a private viewing, please contact:
Benjamin Emerick
Flagship Real Estate | Forbes Global Properties
T: +1 401.594.1321
E: bemerick@rihomesearch.com
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