The Miramar Estate: Newport’s Gilded Age Playground
Perched on Newport’s dramatic coastline, The Miramar Estate is a Gatsby-era masterpiece where glamour and extravagance collided in the best way possible. Built in 1915 for railroad tycoon George Widener and his style-icon wife, Eleanor, this limestone palace wasn’t just a home—it was a stage for legendary parties, shimmering gowns, and champagne-fueled nights under the stars.
The Miramar Estate exterior
Designed by Horace Trumbauer, the visionary architect behind America’s most iconic mansions, Miramar channels the elegance of a French château with a rebellious edge that fits its seaside location. From its grand limestone façade to its lush Olmsted-designed gardens cascading toward the Atlantic, the estate is a symphony of elegance, power, and drama.
Where Grandeur Meets Fun
From the moment you step inside, Miramar greets you with a sense of occasion. The Great Hall, soaring and sun-drenched, feels more like a cathedral to good times than a mere entryway. The salon, draped in silk wall coverings and gold-leaf moldings, glows with a warmth that whispers of glamorous gatherings and stolen glances across a crowded room. The dining room, framed by massive arched windows, captures the golden hour like it’s its job, with the Atlantic providing the ultimate dinner guest backdrop.
Interior salon, The Miramar Estate
Every Detail Dazzles
Miramar doesn’t just impress—it mesmerizes. The library is wrapped in rich mahogany paneling, creating a cocoon of intellectual luxury. The ballroom, with its gilded coffered ceiling, catches the light in a way that transforms even the simplest of evenings into an event. Every inch of this estate is a work of art, with European artisans pouring their souls into details like carved stone mantels, hand-painted frescoes, and mosaic tilework that sparkles with unmatched precision.
Ballroom
Outside, the gardens unfold like a dream. Classical sculptures peek through lush greenery, while reflecting pools offer moments of stillness amid the estate’s vibrant energy. The centerpiece, a Neptune fountain, anchors the space with theatrical flair, reminding guests of the estate’s close relationship with the sea.
Aerial Shot, The Miramar Estate
From Dust to Destiny
Over the years, Miramar has evolved, its walls witnessing quiet interludes and bursts of activity. After decades of dormancy, the estate has been lovingly restored, each detail carefully revived to ensure its place in the modern world while honoring its storied past. Whether it’s the meticulous polishing of its original leaded windows or the painstaking conservation of frescoes, every effort reflects a commitment to preserving the estate’s heart and soul.
Rear exterior, The Miramar Estate
A Legacy of Glamour
Miramar is more than a mansion—it’s a portal to an era when life was larger, brighter, and unapologetically grand. Its rooms still pulse with the energy of glittering soirées, its gardens echo with the laughter of carefree summers, and its walls hold stories that will never go out of style.
It’s a place where history is alive, not dusty. Where luxury meets whimsy, and every corner invites you to step into the magic of the past while embracing the promise of the future. Miramar doesn’t just sit by the sea—it owns it, much like it owns the legacy of Newport’s golden age.
Entry gate, The Miramar Estate
Mansion Market: Historical Sales and Modern Value
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a Gilded Age mansion, it’s possible—albeit rare. But you just missed your chance with Miramar by a few years. The historic estate on Bellevue Avenue recently sold for only $27 million, according to real estate records. That is a steal considering it would cost $100 million tp build Miramar today. Represented by Gustave White Sotheby’s International Realty, the sale closed on September 30, 2021, marking yet another chapter in the storied life of this architectural gem.
Miramar’s real estate history is as captivating as its design. Originally built for the Widener family, its journey includes ownership by the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island and a $118,000 purchase in 1971—a bargain that feels almost laughable today. By 2006, the estate set records with a $17.5 million sale, and its most recent owners have spent years restoring it to its former glory, integrating everything from geothermal heating to painstakingly conserved frescoes.
Listing agent David Huberman described it best: “Miramar is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own one of the most spectacular estates in Newport. The design, construction, setting, and historical pedigree of this property are second to none.”
For now, the dream of owning Miramar is in someone else’s hands. But the estate’s glamour and legacy remain as vivid as ever, a timeless symbol of the Gilded Age’s revelry and the enduring allure of Newport’s architectural wonders.