Is Jay Leno Buying Newport’s Seafair Mansion?
Sunday, October 01, 2017
Jay Leno's been seen around Newport quite a lot in recent months.
It's no secret Leno's a car nut, and he's been known to frequent the Audrain Automobile Museum on Bellevue Avenue regularly -- as recently as Labor Day weekend, as reported by GoLocal.
Now, sources say Leno's been eyeing the $17.5 million Seafair at 254 Ocean Avenue in Newport -- one of the city's premier estates -- and has possibly pulled the trigger on the property that's been listed at that amount on Sotheby's.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTFormer Nortek CEO Rick Bready is the current owner of Seafair, where he has hosted numerous parties and fundraisers.
Leno, who hosted his last episode of NBC's Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2014, has been busy back touring doing stand-up -- but could Newport entice him to stay just a little while longer?
More below video
About Seafair
In 2013, GoLocal reported Seafair being on the market for $19 million, as a "Dream House of the Week."
As Sotheby's writes:
Once in a lifetime opportunity to own the main residence at iconic ‘Seafair'. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, this Louis XIV chateau was designed with an elegant crescent shape to compliment the curve in the peninsula it sits on and create 270-degree ocean views. The estate has undergone a complete restoration and renovation. A grand gated entry provides ample privacy and the long curving driveway creates a spectacular approach to the motor court with fountain and statuary.
Set on just under 9 manicured acres, the grounds include walled gardens, expansive terraces overlooking the ocean, fountains, ample landscape lighting, a private beach, tennis court, and vegetable garden.
Seafair's Legacy
Seafair's legacy includes such owners as the wealthy socialite Betty Blake, as featured in PaperCity Magazine:
Seafair, as it was known, earned the nickname Hurricane Hut, since its exposure to the sea made it particularly vulnerable. Ignoring pleas to evacuate, Betty rode out many hurricanes in her Seafair fortress — but, on one occasion, some of her servants drowned trying to leave. During a particularly violent siege, waves ripped away a large sculpture in the front yard, only to wash it back up many years later.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was originally published 9/30/17 11:07 AM.
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