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Pre-Revolutionary War Compound Overlooking the Potowomut River Brings ‘Three Centuries of History’ to the Market for $3 Million

Posted on by Mike B
03
Jul

A historic Rhode Island compound that predates the nation’s founding by more than 50 years—and is rumored to have once been home to founding father Benjamin Franklin‘s sister—has hit the market for $3 million.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Grange at Potowomut was built in Warwick, RI, in 1723—53 years before Franklin and his fellow Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence.

It is, the 10.9-acre property’s website states, a home “that has been at the center of American life since before America existed.”

But its heritage can be traced back even further to 1684, when the Greene family settled on the Potowomut peninsula—long before Rhode Island became a colony.

“The Potowomut peninsula was Greene family land before Rhode Island was a colony,” the property’s description reveals.

“John Greene, a surgeon and peer of Roger Williams, was among the earliest settlers. He sent sons across the bay to settle the peninsula. In 1684, James II Greene built on the hill above the river at the site known as The Forge.

“His son Jabez III built directly across the road on the river. That house became The Grange.”

Dining room of estate in Warwick, RI, on sale for $2,985,000
A historic Rhode Island compound that predates the nation’s founding by more than 50 years—and is rumored to have once been home to founding father Benjamin Franklin’s sister—has hit the market for $3 million. (Michael David Commercial Photography)
Living room of estate in Warwick, RI, on sale for $2,985,000
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Grange at Potowomut was built in Warwick, RI, in 1723. (Michael David Commercial Photography)
Kitchen of estate in Warwick, RI, on sale for $2,985,000
The property owners have spent more than $1 million on upgrades throughout. (Michael David Commercial Photography)

Today, The Grange retains much of its period charm. However, in the past six years, it has undergone an extraordinary renovation at the hands of its current owners, who poured more than $1 million into stewardship improvements.

Dean deTonnancourt—an agent with Re/Max Revolution, who is also listing the property—and Steve Meersman purchased The Grange for $1.43 million in 2020 and have since made over every single space in the main residence and beyond.

“We went through the house cosmetically and beyond, so every room has been enhanced,” said deTonnancourt. “The porch has been remodeled, and we completely revitalized the cottage on property along with the landscape, hardscape, and softscape.”

The 10.9-acre property boasts a six-bedroom primary residence, a two-bedroom guest cottage, a 10-car “hobbyist” garage, and a tennis court.

Throughout the 6,325-square-foot estate, original millwork, timeless architectural details, preserved hardwood floors, built-ins, and seven fireplaces can be found.

“When you look at the home’s history from stories written or being told, Ben Franklin’s sister resided in the home for a number of years,” he said.

“It was originally built in 1723, but burned down and was rebuilt in the early 1730s. The character is still intact. It’s not your typical older home. It’s a well-built and sturdy house.”

Other highlights found throughout the primary residence include a cozy living room with a fireplace overlooking a bridge with a waterfall, a wood-paneled den with a beehive oven fireplace, and a modernized kitchen with a shiplap ceiling and white Shaker cabinetry.

DeTonnancourt said they currently use the cottage as a short-term rental.

“People come to the cottage for the setting alone,” he said. “It’s amazing.”

Guest house at estate in Warwick, RI, on sale for $2,985,000
The 10.9-acre property includes a six-bedroom primary residence, a two-bedroom guest cottage, a 10-car “hobbyist” garage, and a tennis court. (Michael David Commercial Photography)
Grounds of 10.9-acre estate in Warwick, RI, on sale for $2,985,000
Also found on the property are “meandering lawns,” beautifully designed patios, and specimen trees that are “documented among the tallest in Rhode Island.” (Michael David Commercial Photography)
10.9-acre estate in Warwick, RI, on sale for $2,985,000
The property could be used as a primary residence or continue operating with “guest-ready” accommodations. (Michael David Commercial Photography)

Built in 1825, the income-producing residence known as The Cottage at The Grange features a living room with a fireplace, a modern kitchen with granite countertops, and a front farmer’s porch and side deck designed for entertaining and relaxing.

“The Potowomut peninsula is in a unique location that sits outside of Warwick,” he said. “This is one of the original homesteads that has significant history as it also sits across from the Nathanael Greene park.”

Also found on the property are “meandering lawns,” beautifully designed patios, and specimen trees that are “documented among the tallest in Rhode Island.”

“The property is truly majestic, sitting on 11 acres,” deTonnancourt said. “There are trees that are over 200 years old.”

DeTonnancourt believes the next buyer will also be a lover of history.

“I envision the next buyer to be someone interested in a historic home, who will be more of a steward than a homeowner, who appreciates the history of the home, and will continue the journey of preservation,” he said.

DeTonnancourt and Meersman have themselves worked tirelessly to document the history of the property, which is explained in detail on The Grange website. It includes many incredible figures who have called the residence home over the years.

“This house was not a bystander to history. It was present for it,” they wrote. The dwelling has survived everything from the Revolutionary War to the American Civil War.

Because of the estate’s grandeur, deTonnancourt believes it will likely be used as a primary residence or continue operating with “guest-ready” accommodations.

“It could also be someone who has other properties who needs a retreat in Rhode Island,” he said. “When we bought it, we saw it as being a part of the home’s overall story and carrying it on. It has been wonderful.”

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Townhouse Inside Infamous ‘Spaceship’ Lands on the Market in Connecticut for $780K

Posted on by Mike B
15
May

A townhouse that is nestled in a futuristic copper-clad Connecticut building that has been nicknamed “The Spaceship” has flown onto the market for $779,000, 40 years after the unique structure was completed.

The building, which sits on concrete stilts and was designed to resemble a vessel hovering in midair, was the brainchild of architect Wilfred Armster, who sparked furious controversy with the design, with locals fearing it would be a blight on a landscape otherwise filled with classic New England-style colonials.

However, in the years since it was completed, the Guilford, CT, property has become something of a local legend with dwellings inside the structure, which is now known as the Whitfield Shore condominiums, coming to market only a handful of times.

“Six years ago was the last time a unit sold there and the building only has 13 units,” said listing agent Susan Santoro of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty.

Santoro notes that, in addition to the property’s reputation as an architectural gem, its location is also a major draw for buyers, explaining: “A lot of that has to do with the buyer who wants to live downtown and enjoy the walkability the home offers. You can walk to the train, to dinner, shopping, or to the beach.”

Living room at townhouse in Spaceship building in Guilford, CT, on sale for $779,000
A townhouse that is nestled in a futuristic copper-clad Connecticut building that has been nicknamed “The Spaceship” has flown onto the market for $779,000, 40 years after the unique structure was completed. (Dan DeMayo)
Kitchen at townhouse in Spaceship building in Guilford, CT, on sale for $779,000
The building, which sits on concrete stilts and was designed to resemble a vessel hovering in midair, was the brainchild of architect Wilfred Armster. (Dan DeMayo)
Upstairs living area at townhouse in Spaceship building in Guilford, CT, on sale for $779,000
In the years since it was completed, the Guilford, CT, dwelling has become something of a local legend with dwellings inside the structure, which is now known as the Whitfield Shore condominiums, coming to market only a handful of times. (Dan DeMayo)

It also also ideally sited just steps from the historic Henry Whitfield House, New England’s oldest stone house, and offers jaw-dropping views of the Long Island Sound.

The front-facing residence boasts 1,672 square feet of sun-soaked space.

“This unit faces Long Island Sound, so you can watch the moon rise, sun set, and enjoy views of the Sound right from bed,” Santoro said.

The two-level layout features a 20-foot sunken great room with double-sided fireplace and floor-to-ceiling glass framing the surrounding water views. Hardwood floors, exposed beam ceilings, and expansive windows can be found throughout the home.

A sleek white kitchen with custom cabinetry, breakfast bar, and stainless steel appliances overlooks the dining area with fireplace.

Offered as a one-bedroom unit, Santoro says an open area upstairs could also be used for additional sleeping space.

The property last traded hands in 2015 when the sellers purchased it for $342,000.

“They live in Manhattan and used it as a weekend getaway-type place,” Santoro said. “The sellers put in an all-new HVAC system, and it also has natural gas and city water, which is unusual.”

Santoro says while her client used the home as a secondary residence, there are many owners who live there full time.

Bedroom at townhouse in Spaceship building in Guilford, CT, on sale for $779,000
Hardwood floors, exposed beam ceilings, and expansive windows can be found throughout the home. (Dan DeMayo)
Private patio at townhouse in Spaceship building in Guilford, CT, on sale for $779,000
The front-facing residence boasts 1,672 square feet of sun-soaked space. (Dan DeMayo)
Garage at townhouse in Spaceship building in Guilford, CT, on sale for $779,000
The property is accessed via a private two-car garage. (Dan DeMayo)

“Almost everyone there uses their home as a primary residence,” she said.

An upstairs primary suite offers a walk-in closet, jetted soaking tub, and glass doors that open up to a private sundeck providing unobstructed views of Long Island Sound and the neighboring marina.

Santoro believes the next buyer could be a retiree or it might also be a student due to its close proximity to a variety of colleges and universities.

“There are five colleges within a 10-mile radius,” she said. “It would also be a great spot for a university professor.”

The townhouse boasts an oversized two-car garage offering extra storage space that could be transformed into a home office, fitness center, or workshop.

“What is really deceiving is there is a four-car tandem garage,” she noted. “It’s considered a two-car garage, but is deep enough for four cars.”

Santoro believes the building’s unique design is what will appeal to the next buyer seeking untraditional accommodations.

“I think it looks like a building hovering over the landscape,” she noted. “It’s so iconic and has such a great design. Love it or hate it, people are always going to talk about it.”