House Lust: A Prudence Island Retreat Overlooking the Bay
Anywhere else, this custom contemporary would be a cool million, bare minimum.
For a feature published last summer, I toured Prudence Island with nothing more than wide eyes and a few granola bars in my bag. After a slow, thirty-minute ferry ride from Bristol to Prudence, I’d arrived at an “unadulterated paradise,” as I put it in the story, “Prudence, Patience, Hope and Despair, and Little Hog Island, Right Over There,” which highlighted four other Narragansett Bay islands, as well.
Prudence was, by far, my favorite. (Sorry, Hog; I prefer a year-round investment!) It’s quiet but has some amenities, including a general store with snacks, a post office and a little white schoolhouse for local children. And if you go deep enough into the brush and hiking trails, you’ll forget you’re on an island altogether. It’s peace manifested.
Another bonus: Real estate is mighty affordable on Prudence. Yes, some people don’t want to live their lives by the ferry schedule. But a thirty-minute commute to the mainland — less, if you can swing your own speedboat — is a small sacrifice. Homes run the gamut, from classic two-by-four cottage construction to contemporary beauties overlooking the water and lacking nary a bell or whistle. One recent listing, 073 Governor Paine Road, offers the latter.
It was built in 2007 and has that shiny new feel to it, but tons of personal details — think: stained glass windows, built-ins and a high-end kitchen — make it livable today (subject to sellers finding suitable housing, of course). The home sits atop a hill overlooking the lighthouse with the bay beyond it — a million-dollar view, indisputably. But asking price is $580,000. Gotta love Prudence Island.
Here’s your House Lust:
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073 Governor Paine Road on Prudence Island is on the market for $580,000. It has three beds and two baths over 2,275 square feet. (Photography via Brandon Dupont, Epic Shoots)
073 Governor Paine Road on Prudence Island is on the market for $580,000. It has three beds and two baths over 2,275 square feet. (Photography via Brandon Dupont, Epic Shoots)
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The construction of the home, built in 2007, prioritizes the view with massive windows. The property looks over Narragansett Bay and the iconic Prudence Island lighthouse to the east and a protected nature preserve to the west.
The construction of the home, built in 2007, prioritizes the view with massive windows. The property looks over Narragansett Bay and the iconic Prudence Island lighthouse to the east and a protected nature preserve to the west.
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The home is sited on a hill to maximize the view.
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Exterior details include a wrap-around porch, white cedar shingles and roofing designed to withstand 150 mile-per-hour winds.
Exterior details include a wrap-around porch, white cedar shingles and roofing designed to withstand 150 mile-per-hour winds.
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Lovely touches, such as the stained glass details and the robin's egg blue porch ceiling, speak to the custom aesthetic.
Lovely touches, such as the stained glass details and the robin's egg blue porch ceiling, speak to the custom aesthetic.
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A view from the enclosed section of the wrap-around porch.
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Another view from the porch.
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The open living area offers prime views of the bay. All told, the home boasts eighty Andersen windows.
The open living area offers prime views of the bay. All told, the home boasts eighty Andersen windows.
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The design is upscale contemporary.
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The kitchen is described in the town's assessor database as "luxurious." Agreed.
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Butcher block countertops complement the southern pine flooring.
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Despite the open floor plan, cozy nooks abound.
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Another comfy area overlooking the nature preserve.
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The dining area is located at the front of the home.
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This large bedroom has a slider out to the porch.
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The master bath has a double vanity with vessel sinks.
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A view from the top of the stairs.
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Another bedroom with gorgeous views.
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The home has three bedrooms altogether.
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An upstairs bath has a claw-foot tub and vintage fixtures.
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The heated garage has been converted into a guest suite.
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Another view of the heated garage.
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073 Governor Paine Road at dusk.
For more information, call Tracy LeRoux at 401-289-2600 or visit linkrealestate.com.
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