House Lust: Inside the Moses Brown Ives House, one of the Priciest Properties in the City
The luxe Greek Revival has unheard-of square footage and extraordinary city views.
When your historic house bears not one, not two, but three dates on its preservation society plaque, it’s safe to say the renovations weren’t rough-hewn. We only write things down when they’re worth it.
The Moses Brown Ives House, built in 1835, was a remarkable affair from the start. As his name suggests, Moses Brown Ives won the Rhode Island birth lottery. Named for his maternal great-uncle, Moses Brown, Ives was the son of Thomas Pynton Ives — a fatherless clerk for Nicholas Brown Sr. who later went into business with Nicholas Brown Jr. — and Hope Brown, Brown Sr.’s daughter. (Moses Brown Ives kept up the dynastic momentum by marrying Annie Allen Dorr, sister of the leader of the Dorr Rebellion.)
The home was built on family land — Moses Brown Ives grew up across the street — and is one of the city’s largest Greek Revival residences. When Moses Brown Ives died, his daughter, Hope Brown Ives Russell, inherited the property and shepherded its first major renovation with the help of architect Alfred Stone. The changes included reorienting the entrance and updating the interiors in the Italian Renaissance Revival style. In 1897, Hope donated the house to the Episcopal Diocese — a good move; they’re practiced in the care and feeding of old buildings — and it served as a bishop’s residence for nearly a century, per the 2003 Guide to Providence Architecture. Early on, the Diocese added the magnificent porch (what better way to take in the glory of Providence, we wonder?).
It returned to private ownership in 2007, when Upserve CEO Angus Davis bought it for $2.4 million. In 2016, Davis sold the property to an entrepreneur and, now, it’s back on the market with Lila Delman Compass — and after renovations worthy of a new date on the plaque.
Here’s your House Lust:
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10 Brown Street, East Side of Providence-29-2400×1600
10 Brown Street, on the East Side of Providence, is on the market for $4.7 million. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
10 Brown Street, on the East Side of Providence, is on the market for $4.7 million. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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The mansion, at 8,763 square feet, is the second priciest property on the market in Providence. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
The mansion, at 8,763 square feet, is the second priciest property on the market in Providence. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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A view of the gated entrance on Brown Street. The house was constructed in 1835, then underwent a series of significant renovations in 1867 and 1898, which reoriented the house and added a large wrap-around porch. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
A view of the gated entrance on Brown Street. The house was constructed in 1835, then underwent a series of significant renovations in 1867 and 1898, which reoriented the house and added a large wrap-around porch. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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A view from the vestibule looking toward the grand foyer. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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10 Brown Street, East Side of Providence-7-2400×1600
The grand foyer. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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10 Brown Street, East Side of Providence-9-2400×1600
Double living rooms span the western side of the house, overlooking the porch and terraced patio. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
Double living rooms span the western side of the house, overlooking the porch and terraced patio. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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The library. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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A half-bath on the first level. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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The formal dining room. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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A view of the bar off the dining room. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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The kitchen, with white marble countertops, was recently updated. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
The kitchen, with white marble countertops, was recently updated. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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The "star" of the kitchen is the forty-eight-inch BlueStar range. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
The "star" of the kitchen is the forty-eight-inch BlueStar range. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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A casual common room with a dinette sits off the kitchen. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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The main suite. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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The main suite bath with soaking tub and step-in shower. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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The main suite closet. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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In addition to the main suite, the second level boasts three additional ensuites, a laundry room with attached cedar closet and an office. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
In addition to the main suite, the second level boasts three additional ensuites, a laundry room with attached cedar closet and an office. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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A bar and game rooms occupy the third level. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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A view of the third-level billiards room. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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The catering kitchen on the lower level. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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Also on the lower level, a fitness room. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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The home's wine cellar. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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A corner of the wrap-around porch, which was added in the late nineteenth century. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
A corner of the wrap-around porch, which was added in the late nineteenth century. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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A terraced patio below the porch. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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A view of the lawn. The property is about an acre and abuts the John Brown House Museum. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
A view of the lawn. The property is about an acre and abuts the John Brown House Museum. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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10 Brown Street, East Side of Providence-39-2400×1602
Adirondack chairs beneath a mature tree afford views of the Superman building and the Providence skyline. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
Adirondack chairs beneath a mature tree afford views of the Superman building and the Providence skyline. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
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10 Brown Street, East Side of Providence-70-2400×1599
A bird's eye view of the house. (Photos Courtesy of Lila Delman Compass)
For more information on the Moses Brown Ives House, contact Lila Delman Compass’s Tom Wegner at 401-383-0999 or Bob Walsh at 401-595-4154 or visit liladelman.com.
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