Standing proudly on the shores of Newport, Rhode Island, The Breakers is not merely a house; it is the definitive statement of the Vanderbilt family’s immense power and wealth during the Gilded Age. Commissioned by Cornelius Vanderbilt II and completed in 1895, this 70-room Italian Renaissance–style “summer cottage” was designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt to be an unrivaled palace, replacing a smaller wooden structure that had burned down two years prior. What resulted is an architectural masterpiece—an American monument conceived to rival the grand palaces of Europe.
The journey begins in the breathtaking Great Hall. With its 50-foot-high ceiling, grand staircases, and intricate carvings, this soaring space was designed to awe guests upon their arrival. The sheer scale and opulence, featuring imported French and Italian stone, immediately establish the home’s palatial character, setting the stage for the lavish rooms that branch off from it.
One of the most stunning is the Dining Room, a state room of magnificent proportions. Flanked by twelve freestanding rose-alabaster Corinthian columns and lit by two massive Baccarat crystal chandeliers, the room exudes formal grandeur. An ornate, gilded ceiling mural of the goddess Aurora soars above, a testament to the Vanderbilts’ desire to surround themselves with art and beauty on a royal scale.
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For entertainment, the Vanderbilts utilized the opulent Music Room. Rectangular in plan, it is crowned by an elliptical ceiling molding and a coffered ceiling gilded in silver and gold leaf—the entire interior was constructed by artisans in France, then shipped to Newport for reassembly—creating an ideal venue for intimate concerts. In contrast, the Billiards Room offers a more masculine retreat. Sheathed in Cipollino-green marble with rose-alabaster arches, the room’s ceiling is a marble-and-alabaster mosaic, and Tiffany’s contribution is limited to opalescent-glass wall sconces.
Nearby, the Library provides a sanctuary of warmth and intellect. Adorned with rich walnut and a coffered ceiling painted with dolphins—Newport’s emblem of hospitality—while gold-embossed green Spanish leather covers the upper wall panels, it housed a vast collection of books and offered a comfortable, albeit still luxurious, space for reading and quiet contemplation.
Finally, stepping outside reveals the mansion’s stunning context. The expansive, impeccably manicured lawn stretches from the loggias down to the dramatic cliffside, offering a breathtaking panorama of the Atlantic Ocean. It is this view of the crashing waves that gave the estate its name, The Breakers, and serves as a powerful reminder of nature’s grandeur just beyond the palace walls.
