Description
The Breakers is a stunning Gilded Age mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, located at 44 Ochre Point Avenue. The 62,482 square feet home sits on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean’s Easton Bay. Cornelius Vanderbilt II, a member of the rich Vanderbilt family, had it constructed between 1893 and 1895 as a summer retreat. Richard Morris Hunt designed the 5 floor, 70-room palace in the Renaissance Revival style. The mansion takes up around 1 acre, or 43,000 square feet, of the 14-acre estate. Jules Allard and Sons and Ogden Codman Jr. were responsible for the interior design.
In 1971, the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1994, it was declared as a National Historic Landmark. It also belongs to the Bellevue Avenue Historic District as a key supporting estate. The Newport Preservation Society owns and operates the property as a museum, which is open to the public all year for a fee. With over 500,000 visitors per year, the Breakers mansion is the crown jewel of the Newport Rhode Island mansions and the most popular attraction in the entire state of Rhode Island.
Looking for more great spots to explore nearby? Check out the GoXplr Rhode Island Map at goxplr.com/map/rhode-island!
Historic Specs
- Opened: 1895
- Original function: Summer residence for Cornelius Vanderbilt II
- Architect(s): Richard Morris Hunt
- Year added to NRHP: 1971
- NRHP number: 71000019
- Status: Public
- Admission cost: Admission is $26 for adults and $8 for youth. If you just want to view the mansion from outside, you can view it from the Ochre Point Ave gate and also the Cliff Walk trail along the ocean.
Location
- Address: 44 Ochre Point Ave
- Town: Newport
- State: Rhode Island
- GPS: Lat 41.46981 Lng -71.29817
- Parking notes: There is a large free parking lot located in front of The Breakers at the corner of Ochre Point Ave and Victoria Ave. Visitors can also park along Ruggles Avenue and Shepard Avenue. All parking is free.
- Parking directions: HERE
- Location directions: HERE
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