Thread: The Breakers- 65,000 sq. ft. of Gilded Age Opulence

The Breakers was built as the Newport summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, a member of the wealthy United States Vanderbilt family. Designed by renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt and with interior decoration by Jules Allard and Sons and Ogden Codman, Jr., the 70-room mansion has approximately 65,000 sq ft (6,000 m2). of living space. The home was constructed between 1893 and 1895 at a cost of more than $12 million (approximately $260 million in today's dollars adjusted for inflation). The Ochre Point Avenue entrance is marked by sculpted iron gates and the 30-foot (9.1 m) high walkway gates are part of a 12-foot-high limestone and iron fence that borders the property on all but the ocean side. The 250' x 120' dimensions of the five-story mansion are aligned symmetrically around a central Great Hall.
Part of a 13-acre (53,000 m²) estate on the seagirt cliffs of Newport, it faces east overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.






No picture can do the great hall justice, the amount of hand carved stone is unbeliavable. Underneath the staircase at the back is a fountain that echoes throughout the hall




The Library has coffered wood ceilings and the green border at the top is leather embossed with 18k gold. The fireplace is from a French Chateau


The pillars in the dining room are made of solid alabaster and the ceilings are over 50ft high


The cast iron stove in the background is one piece and spans more than 20ft



I just went through this unbelievable villa on a recent weekend trip to Newport and I came away absolutely blown away. Unfortunately they don't allow photos when visiting the house so I did my best scrounge some up from google but it seems like there really aren't too many available of the interior.

Some things I could not find photos of were the billiards room, the walls of which were each covered with a single piece of marble that had been cut down the middle and opened up like a book so each piece was a reflection of the one next to it.

The closets had servants entrances in the back so servants could bring in freshly laundered clothes without the family ever knowing they were there. Speaking of the servants, the house employed over 40 staff and entire families lived in the 4th floor servants quarters.

One thing that really stood out to me was in the Breakfast room (I couldn't find a picture) there are painted silver colored strips all around the room that Mr. Vanderbilt never wanted to tarnish, so instead of silver, he painted the room in platinum...


There's so much more I've forgotten about this place but it truly is incredible and I highly recommend a visit if you're ever in the area

Wow, it's beautiful.

Awesome........simply amazing what a little cash will get you :-)

William Randolph Hearst and La Cuesta Encantada, (known as Hearst Castle) can't touch that place.

Originally Posted by 2Props

William Randolph Hearst and La Cuesta Encantada, (known as Hearst Castle) can't touch that place.

I completely agree. The Breakers really is on an entirely different level that I don't think has been matched since

Let alone the Vanderbilt family, to the Hearst family being an apples to oranges comparison.

I remember when i was a kid going to see Boldt Castle on the 1000 Islands in New York...that was around 120 rooms on its own Island and has a boat house bigger then the average mansion

Thanks Sicko! My google fu must suck I don't know why I couldn't find a picture of the billiards room.

The lights over the billiards table are made entirely of wrought iron and are so heavy that they had to be tied up to the steel support beams that support the house.

I've been through most of the mansions in Newport...hard to believe they are houses and not hotels. I had a membership to the preservation society but I have to renew it. Just incredible, I wanted to rent one to throw a huge party, anyone want in?!