You Can Quite LITERALLY Live Like a Vanderbilt in This Historic Rhode Island Mansion
It’s not every day that one has the opportunity to bid on a prestigious equestrian estate that was commissioned by none other than Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt—son of railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt and grandfather of broadcast journalist-slash-household name Anderson Cooper. Yet that day is almost here, which means you could soon be living your best Gilded Age–coded life.
Sandy Point Farm, one of the last remaining relics of the Vanderbilt Estate in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is set to hit the auction block on October 17, through Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions. In case it’s not clear yet, this is major news: After being completed in 1902 by architect A.S. Walker, 30 Sandy Point Farm Road proceeded to become the hotbed of the Rhode Island bourgeoisie, serving both as a prominent site for horse breeding and Vanderbilt-hosted soirees.
The 6.15-acre estate’s focal point is equestrian sports. It’s got residential bells and whistles like eight well-appointed bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, grooms’ quarters, and a guest lounge, yes, but the property really shines with its 24-stall stables and 15,000-square-foot, cupola-and-cypress-beam-clad indoor riding arena. This comes as no surprise: Reginald Vanderbilt (lovingly dubbed Reggie) was quite the equestrian, belonging to a number of related organizations in his time. He was only 45 when he died, at Sandy Point Farm, in fact.
When you’re not marveling at the New England–farmhouse, Shingle Style stables—all dark green window trims and tastefully distressed, weatherworn exteriors—you will surely be compelled to sunbathe on the adjacent Sandy Point Beach, overlooking the Sakonnet River, or else to hit the town in historic Newport, just minutes away.
“Not only is Sandy Point Farm an exceptional estate, but its location in Portsmouth is just as exquisite,” says Judy Chace of Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty, who is overseeing the auction alongside Kylie McCollough. “The town’s serene waterfront views, close-knit community, and proximity to Newport create the perfect balance of tranquility and accessibility."
If you’re wondering what all this grandeur will cost you, Sandy Point Farm is listed for $3.5 million, with starting bids anticipated to range from $1 to $2 million. Bidding, which can be done online, will start at 5 p.m. ET on the October 17 and end at 5 p.m. ET on October 31.
Ready to take the reigns of this estate’s illustrious legacy? Of course you are.
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