House Lust: The 5 Most Expensive Homes Sold in RI in 2019

2019 marked the highest sale in MLS history, plus other pricey sales and purchases.

December 10, 2019

This was not the year for Newport’s Gilded Age mansions; only one, “Midcliff,” ranked in the top five sales of 2019. The state’s highest sale of the year — also the highest in MLS history and the second-highest in state history, according to Lila Delman — is a classic Shingle-style beachfront home built at the turn of the century. The mansion was recently re-imagined by famed architect and designer, Giancarlo Valle, with stunning results.

Cajacet Farm, the fourth-highest sale of the year, has an incredible history, too. I’m not knocking the newbies, but old homes — like old people! — just tell better stories: The property was built for Captain Thomas Paine, a wealthy mariner and friend of infamous pirate, Captain Kidd. According to the original listing, by Mott and Chace Sotheby’s, “Local legend is that Capt Kidd visited in 1699 and asked his friend to hide his treasure while he returned to England. Kidd was arrested and never returned.” Maybe Cajacet Farm is worth more than $6.235 million?

Here’s your House Lust:

1. 10 Bluff Avenue, Westerly

Sale price: $17.6 million (Asking: $18.9 million)
Listing agency: Lila Delman Real Estate
Sale date: 11/1
Details: Nine beds, nine baths over 10,000 square feet; built in 1903

2. 609 Beavertail Road, Jamestown

Sale price: $8 million (Asking: $8.975 million)
Listing agency: Mott and Chace Sotheby’s
Sale date: 6/21
Details: Five beds, eight baths over 8,534 square feet; built in 1996

3. “Seabright,” 146 Brenton Road, Newport

Sale price: $7.3 million (Asking: $7.95 million)
Listing agency: Gustave White Sotheby’s
Sale date: 1/18
Details: Five beds, nine baths over 6,357 square feet; built in 1987

4. “Cajacet Farm,” 850 East Shore Road, Jamestown

Sale price: $6.325 million (Asking: $6.85 million)
Listing agency: Mott and Chace Sotheby’s
Sale date: 4/21
Details: Five beds, three baths over 4,188 square feet; built in 1690

Photos via Mott and Chace Sotheby’s

5. “Midcliff,” 229 Ruggles Avenue, Newport

Sale price: $6.2 million (Asking: $7.7 million)
Listing agency: Lila Delman Real Estate
Sale date: 9/29
Details: Twelve beds, eleven baths over 13,748 square feet; built in 1886