The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-29
TEE LIPPITT CATTLE
A Noteworthy Structure on the Waterfront
at Newport.
From tie Providence Journal.


From TIE Providence Journal
Most boys in their nursery days build castles
In the air but few ever see the naturalization Of
their dreams. Ex-Gov. Charles Warren Lippitt.
however Ia an exception to the rule II current
rumors be correct For it is said that in his youth
full days he chose the old boat house lot at New
port Ms the place for his residence and for struc
ture was smittcn with old English castle found
in one OF his picture books
The cherished dream is now developing into
materialized fact Down on the very site coveted
many years ago, there Is nearing completion
villa modelled after the old English castles Of
tho Elizabethan period, wherein lived warriors
bold to say nothing Of the ladies of the court.
Some ono has dared suggest that this structure
built In the midst Of the summer portion Of the city
Is TO be a hotel. while another is equally sure
that 1t Is an apartment house. AS matter Of fact
II is neither: II is private villa for summer win
ter residence. II has also been said that this
great pile Of brick and stone is reproduction Of
famous English castle. This Ia also error
for the plans are simply an adaptation Of some Of
the best examples of castle architecture in the time
OF Queen Elizabeth, in combination with the in
PRODUCTION Of such ideas rs are intended to make
1t an ideal place Of summer residence.
u one views only the exterior Il seems TO be
almost incredible that II In built for one small
family but such Is said to be the fact and this
great building really contains only twelve cham
hers, which Is but two more than the owner has
in his city home and TO count this number il is
necessary TO include the school room and the
nursery. What is more. the plans do not con
template these chambers being one of a suite of
rooms; each chamber has it's private bath, and it
IS supposed TO be from the amount Of plumbing
that was required that some secured the impression
that 1t was to be more than a private residence
Now as To the layout OF the building. II is
hard 10 determine the front: so a start will be
made in naming the rooms from the arcncd en-
trance to the courtyard within the structure.
rms archway is on the northern exposure Of the
building and Just TO the west Of the wrecked tower
From this way a small door leads To the right
ton rooms may be entered. Next there is the
main hall, with huge fireplace facing the doorway
out into the courtyard which is really the main
only partially over this room. and in so doing
forms rallied passagcway along the inner wall
which rs in the form OF a triangle, is a reception
room and then comes hallway containing the
main stairway and then the library
The southern end Of the structure having tcen
reached, ono finds himself in huge room. sixty
five feet long, called the colonnade room. hut
which will serve wrll for n ballroom with round
chamber in the base of the tower forming the
apex of the angle. Next, one enters into the
dining room; thence the buffers pantry and apart
mcnts used by the servants, including the kitchen
to the north end the tower tnom. where il is pro
posed that the ironing from the laundry shall
will do their work face on Ledge road while they
are cut of from the courtyard within by a long
passagcway. In the north side there are more
rooms for the servants, the housekerper's apart
mcnts and the Governors Office. which is in the
base OF the ruined tower, and which may be an
preached from the arChway through a small ante
room. Over this office is what is called draught
ing room, where he will keep his drawings with
sleeping rooms for the servants TO the left and
around to the right are the guest chambers while
in the breabwatcr tower is Mr. Iippit's chamber
and just over the dining room Mrs f.ppitt's cham.
ERF iFiF
about these two making one extensive suite In
the towers there are chambers also, but over the
kitchen portion of the building there is no second
story: II in fact being the second story. for IL Is
over the basement just above the street level
where are located the heating apparatus. the
electric light engine the Laundry storage roo ms
and servants entrance.
Every room OF consequence in the house gives
not only magnificent view of the wild surf which
beats up on the rocky borders Of the site but also
an out ook upon the court yard. Hence they are
more than commonly light and airy. This court
one small corner is walled up for driveway into
the entrance, while the rest is banked up and
when c1,mpr,ed Will be transferred INTO one Of
those old English gardens so rare in beauty.
Stone yerandas border upon 1t, and when the wind
is too hig for comfort out those which dot the
exterior walls, those inside will be enjoyable re-
treats. Then, too, the interior walls are as rch
In architec,1re as the outer, one or two oriolo
windows adding TO the richness Some perhaps
may not care for the PLAIN br,cS and brownstone
c3SnsIurtl3n as 1t is at present on the ground
are only for the foundation for most extensive
growth of ivy, the planting of which will be begun
In the spring.
The ho,se is built upon rock; in fact, the
whole site is huge rock, with but thin layer of
Soil in the holowS Thus the basement had TO
be actually blasted out and the solid rock frequen
ly forms the sides and bottom of the underground
passage way in many places thus making most
picturesque grotto scenes and tunnel-lik pass
ageways, there being complete travcrsablc way
around under the entire building. In the base
mcnt under the main hall Is great space in the
soil Orl uhf iS tn for hail
pool while in a spacious room adjoining will be
set up q gymnasium.
On the exterior the rugged nature Of the land
Will BE- retained Thus, instead Of the grand greer
lawns for which Newport is noted, there will he
the bare gray rocks with patches Of wild shrub
berry and tufts of green grass, all forming most
picturesque scene. especially when viewed so as
TO bring the whitccapped waves of old Atlantic
in the background
The construction Of the building above the rocky
foundation would seem to be solid as the rock
itself. for the walls rise up "a inches thick with A
terror and interior faces The latter is n peculiarly
Of construction, and like some other features
resembles the mill construction so well known in
mercantile structures, All Interior walls are Of
red brick face, even to the main partitions The
small partitions will be Of lighter construction
but also solid, for they will be filled with asbestos
so that fire and vermin will have no freedom
Great quantities of hard pine are used for sup
ports, while the floors, which are laid on steel J
beams, are Of 3-inch hard pine over which will be
laid the ordinary hard wood for finishing. The
the place is solid enough for heavy machinery and
shnfung
OF course, such barren finish will not be allowed
to remain, for the ceilings will be canvased over
and decorated, while the side walls will be sim.
larry treated or hung with rich tapestry. The
villa will not be complete for year more though
the present intentions are TO prepare the break
water sections so that the owner may occupy that
n neN