House Lust: 4 Tasty Gingerbread Houses On the Market in Rhode Island

Plus, two more treats in Massachusetts that are too sweet to pass up.

December 3, 2019

Gingerbread season is upon us, and I got to thinking: What, exactly, qualifies as gingerbread architecture? I see lots of Victorians that are absolutely delectable — I bet you do, too, if you’ve got a touch of House Lust in you. But there are definitive features at play here.

Gingerbread architecture, in a word, is extra. Architects who deployed this style, which first appeared in Port a Prince in the mid-1800s, were the Iris Apfels of their industry, draping every last arch, gable and vertical surface with fanciful cornice brackets, balusters and trim. All gingerbread houses fall in the Victorian category, but not all Victorians are worthy of the gingerbread moniker. According to This Old House, the style was popularized with the advent of the scroll saw, which made ornate embellishments easier to mass-produce and more affordable for homeowners.

Follow along, fellow Hansels and Gretels. Here are four Rhode Island gingerbread houses — plus two more in Massachusetts — that are sweet enough to eat:

Sarah Kendall House, 47 Washington St., Newport

Built in 1871, this iconic Newport mansion has eight bedrooms and ten baths between the 5,364 square-foot main house and a two-story converted stable out back. (Photos via Gustave White Sotheby's)
Sarah Kendall House, 47 Washington St., Newport

The home, named after the wife of a wealthy merchant, currently operates as an owner-occupied inn.
Sarah Kendall House, 47 Washington St., Newport

The home is three stories and offers harbor views from the covered porch. For more information, contact Gustave White's Paul Leys at 401-849-3000.
Codman House Condo, 42 High St., #4, Bristol

Here's an affordable way to get your daily taste of gingerbread. This condo, in Bristol's historic Codman House, is on the market for $225,000. It has one bedroom and two baths over 1,080 square feet. The mansion was built in 1870 for the daughters of a local real estate magnate. (Photos via RE/MAX River's Edge)
Codman House Condo, 42 High St., #4, Bristol

High ceilings, large windows and fine woodwork all add to the interior charm.
Codman House Condo, 42 High St., #4, Bristol

A view of the dining area with marble fireplace. Condo owners can also take advantage of the grounds with mature plantings and sitting areas, as well as a water view and a short walk to Bristol's restaurants and shops. The HOA fee is $455 per month. For more information, contact RE/MAX River's Edge's Deb Jobin at 401-527-7894.
The Cedars, 2788 East Main Rd., Portsmouth

Built in 1880, this home first served as an inn. The property has nine bedrooms and four baths shared between the main house and a guest cottage. It's on the market for $699,000. (Photos via Hogan Associates)
The Cedars, 2788 East Main Rd., Portsmouth

The gorgeous winding staircase is just one historically significant detail in the home, which currently serves as a single-family.
The Cedars, 2788 East Main Rd., Portsmouth

Ornate mouldings add to the appeal, while new roofs and insulation make the abode comfortable for a modern family or innkeeper. For more information, contact Hogan Associates' Jeff Brooks at 401-288-3536.
East Providence Estate Sale, 2 Narragansett Ave., Riverside

Some of the charm of this waterfront Victorian was covered by vinyl siding, but remnants, including carved gable trim, remain. The home has four beds and three baths over 2,519 square feet and is on the market for $409,000. (Photos via Mott and Chace Sotheby's)
East Providence Estate Sale, 2 Narragansett Ave., Riverside

The home has three floors, plus a heated walk-out lower level with a patio overlooking the water.
East Providence Estate Sale, 2 Narragansett Ave., Riverside

A view from the walk-out patio, which offers westerly sunsets, Yacht Club and lighthouse vistas. The property is offered as-is. For more information, contact Mott and Chace Sotheby's MaryBeth Frye at 401-413-3509.
Gingerbread House, 13 Baker St., Foxboro, Mass.

The recently renovated home, which was built in 1835 and is known by neighbors as the Gingerbread House, has four bedrooms and four baths over 3,126 square feet. Asking price is $750,000. (Photos via RE/MAX Real Estate Center)
Gingerbread House, 13 Baker St., Foxboro, Mass.

Historic details, including detailed mouldings, mingle with contemporary touches like this funky leopard carpet. The kitchen features cherry cabinets and limestone countertops with stainless appliances.
Gingerbread House, 13 Baker St., Foxboro, Mass.

One of the most interesting features is a glass vaulted conservatory overlooking a paver patio and saltwater pool. For more information, contact RE/MAX Real Estate Center's Campos Homes at 508-964-5600.
Vineyard Cottage, 1 Hebron Ave., Oak Bluffs, Mass.

This two-bed, one-bath, 687-square-foot cottage sits in the heart of gingerbread house heaven. The Camp Meeting Association neighborhood is home to more than 300 gingerbread houses. This one was built in 1870 and is on the market for $435,000. (Photos via RE/MAX On Island)
Vineyard Cottage, 1 Hebron Ave., Oak Bluffs, Mass.

The home offers water views from both the covered porch and second-floor balcony.
Vineyard Cottage, 1 Hebron Ave., Oak Bluffs, Mass.

The cottage has been recently renovated, but quirky beach house details, including this vintage stove, abound. For more information, contact RE/MAX On Island's Helena Kirschenbaum at 508-221-1199.