The Corliss-Carrington House, at 66 Williams St., Providence, sold for a record $6.85 million. Photo by Justine Chang with Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty.
The Corliss-Carrington House, a grand estate on the East Side of Providence that has twenty-five rooms in 12,000 square feet of space, has sold for $6.85 million, according to Compass Real Estate, making it the city’s highest-selling residential property. Agent Nelson Taylor, of Compass Providence’s Blackstone Team, represented seller Lorne Adrain, a businessman and former mayoral candidate.
The buyer is the Noordersingel Trust.
Built in 1810 for shipping merchant John Corliss, the home comes with three levels of living space, a carriage house, sauna, a roof deck overlooking Narragansett Bay, and an elevator.
“What a special historic property — the absolute best in luxury real estate on the East Side of Providence,” Taylor says.
Adrain, who purchased the dwelling in 2019, is looking to downsize after making much-needed improvements to the property and turning the carriage house into a community hub and events space. It also served as the headquarters of his Global Fellows in Courage program.
The home, located at 66 Williams St., Providence, features 12,000 square feet of living space on three floors. Photo by Blueflash Photography for Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty.
The home, located at 66 Williams St., Providence, features 12,000 square feet of living space on three floors. Photo by Blueflash Photography for Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty.
_66 William St – MLS Res 07_Credit_BlueflashPhotographyForMott&ChaceSotheby’sInternationalRealty
Shipping merchant John Corliss started building the home in 1810 but abandoned it after running out of money; fellow merchant Edward Carrington purchased it in 1812 after serving as American consul in China. Photo by Blueflash Photography for Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty.
Shipping merchant John Corliss started building the home in 1810 but abandoned it after running out of money; fellow merchant Edward Carrington purchased it in 1812 after serving as American consul in China. Photo by Blueflash Photography for Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty.
After purchasing the home in 1812, Edward Carrington wrapped the elegant living room in Chinese wallpaper festooned with peacocks, a bird later adopted as his family crest. Photo by Justine Chang with Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty.
After purchasing the home in 1812, Edward Carrington wrapped the elegant living room in Chinese wallpaper festooned with peacocks, a bird later adopted as his family crest. Photo by Justine Chang with Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty.
The study is done in brick tones. Former owner Lorne Adrain made multiple upgrades to the home, noting that he can control most everything — including lighting, the irrigation system and fountain — right from his phone. Photo by Justine Chang with Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty.
The study is done in brick tones. Former owner Lorne Adrain made multiple upgrades to the home, noting that he can control most everything — including lighting, the irrigation system and fountain — right from his phone. Photo by Justine Chang with Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty.
The sauna. In 1936, the Carrington family gave the home to the Rhode Island School of Design, which sold it to the Washington Irving family (descendants of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" author Washington Irving) in 1961. Thirty-four years later, former "Providence Journal" Publisher Stephen Hamblett purchased it as a birthday gift for his wife, Jocelin. Photo by Justine Chang with Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty.
The sauna. In 1936, the Carrington family gave the home to the Rhode Island School of Design, which sold it to the Washington Irving family (descendants of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" author Washington Irving) in 1961. Thirty-four years later, former "Providence Journal" Publisher Stephen Hamblett purchased it as a birthday gift for his wife, Jocelin. Photo by Justine Chang with Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty.
The adjoining space has a full-size kitchen, making the carriage house a perfect spot for events. Photo by Justine Chang with Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty.
The adjoining space has a full-size kitchen, making the carriage house a perfect spot for events. Photo by Justine Chang with Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty.
The horse stable. Photo by Justine Chang with Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty.
Cocktail_Credit_LorneAdrain
A view from the rooftop terrace. It's a great place for sunset cocktails, says Adrain, or for sleeping under the stars, as he and Victoria did this summer. "We camped out under the stars and the swallows," he says. Photo courtesy of Lorne Adrain.
A view from the rooftop terrace. It's a great place for sunset cocktails, says Adrain, or for sleeping under the stars, as he and Victoria did this summer. "We camped out under the stars and the swallows," he says. Photo courtesy of Lorne Adrain.
He and wife Victoria got married at the home in July 2023. The decision to sell wasn’t easy — he’ll miss “everything” about the home, he jokes — but he’s looking forward to downsizing and gaining more freedom and flexibility.
“Caring for Carrington House has been an incredible journey for Victoria and me,” he says. “For nearly five. years, we’ve had the joy of sharing this beautiful place with over 5,000 visitors, all in support of our community. As we pass the torch, we take comfort in knowing that the next stewards cherish Carrington House just as deeply.”
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