$1,609,033Average Value$691Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
The Gilded Age remains alive and well in Newport, Rhode Island
During America’s Gilded Age, Newport, Rhode Island was the playground for the country’s elite. The Vanderbilts, Morgans and Astor families all called Bellevue Avenue home, building summer “cottages” — now better known as the Newport Mansions — looking out onto the Atlantic Ocean. Many of these vacation homes are still standing today, maintained by the Newport Preservation Society and drawing in visitors throughout the year. “The Breakers” is perhaps the most famous example. “It was built in 1895 by Cornelius Vanderbilt II. It’s the largest of all the Newport mansions and the most popular in terms of tourist draw,” says AnnaLeigh Bowser, an associate team leader at the Breakers and an East Bay, Rhode Island local. According to Bowser, strolling down Bellevue Avenue is like being transported back in time. “You’ve got row after row of historical buildings, each with a story of its own.” The neighborhood is also home to Salve Regina University, a private four-year institution with an undergraduate population of approximately 2,200. “Salve Regina keeps the area young,” explains Bowser, adding that many of the homes in the neighborhood have been turned into rentals for college students. “You will see college students, but you’ll also see people who’ve been living here for 80 years,” she says. Encompassing it all is the Cliff Walk, a 3.5-mile trail system that borders the sea. In the summertime, the wind carries the scent of beach roses and Easton’s Beach (also known as First Beach) is decorated with colorful umbrellas.
Salve Regina University was Founded in 1934 in Bellevue Avenue and Estates.
Details are everything in Bellevue Avenue and Estates, Middletown, RI.
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The Breakers is a mansion on Bellevue Avenue and Estates.
Historic waterfront mansions and smaller multi-family units
Many homes in the Bellevue Avenue area have histories dating back to the 1860s and the beginning of the Gilded Age in 1870. “Bellevue itself is a nice wide thoroughfare with well-kept sidewalks on either side. As you go down the side streets, they get a bit smaller. Some are one-way, and side streets tend to be more densely packed as those would have been the homes of your more day-to-day citizens of Newport in the early 1900s,” says Bowser. A 1,200-square-foot condo unit in a 150-year-old home, for instance, can sell for around $500,000, whereas units in 1960s-era condominium communities hover around $400,000. Single-family homes in Victorian, Italianate and French-influenced styles can easily surpass $3 million and sometimes sell for upwards of $10 million. Increased prices are often related to water views, and many of the trees are as old as the homes themselves — drooping elm branches are distinctly climbable. According to Bowser, “Since it is a very historically significant area, many properties are subject to regulations regarding maintenance and renovation.”
Fort Adams has held major events with millions of visitors in Newport near Bellevue Avenue.
Music festivals draw crowds in the summer
On Aquidneck Island, time is most easily measured in summers. Midway through the season, the Newport Jazz Festival at Fort Adams State Park draws crowds. Over the decades, the festival has welcomed iconic artists like Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. There’s also the Newport Folk Fest in late July — Joni Mitchell made a surprise appearance in 2022. According to Bowser, the mansions maintain a regular events calendar, hosting lecture series about everything from cocktail culture in the Gilded Age to the African American designers that outfitted Newport’s elite at the turn of the 20th century. There’s also the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival in late September. Closer to Newport’s commercial district, residents can visit the Tennis Hall of Fame and book a time on the famous grass courts. Members enjoy unlimited court time.
Stop by 22 Bowens near Bellevue Avenue for fine dining and waterfront cocktails.
Iced coffee and shopping in Bowen’s Wharf
Near the Tennis Hall of Fame, locals shop for groceries at Stop & Shop and pick up iced coffees and breakfast sandwiches at Cru Cafe. There’s a CVS in the Bellevue Gardens Shopping Center, and families can make reservations at Jo’s American Bistro for fresh seafood dinners. A bit farther north, Bowen’s Wharf is one of Newport’s main restaurant and shopping districts. Sit on the outdoor patio at the Black Pearl while enjoying a burger and fries and, afterward, explore the historic streets with an ice cream cone from Ben & Jerry’s. Stores in the area sell an eclectic mix of Newport branded tee-shirts, teas and trinkets, and give the area’s high school and college students plenty of opportunities for after-school and summer jobs. It’s not uncommon to see businesses close operations or limit their hours during the off-season.
Breathtaking Views of the Atlantic Ocean at the Mouth of Narraganset Bay.
The Cliff Walk connects Newport beaches
Along with the mansions, Bellevue Avenue and Estates is also known for the surrounding beaches. There’s Easton’s — also known as First Beach — which is one of the area’s busiest during the summer. There’s also Bailey’s Beach, which local listing agent Alexandra Thursby says is popular with surfers, especially when stormy weather hits. Next door, locals prefer Reject’s Beach, “The tongue-in-cheek name given to the neighboring beach because you don’t have to pay,” according to Bowser. The Cliff Walk, a 3.5-mile trail along Aquidneck Island’s rocky shoreline, starts near First Beach and ends near Bailey’s Beach. Residents like to walk their dogs along the pathways, and there are multiple entrances and exits along the way for those who prefer a shorter stroll. Maintained by the Newport Preservation Society, Rovensky Park offers paved walkways and plenty of room for a family picnic, and kids can head to the Morton Park playground after school.
St. Michael's Country Day is a highly rated private school with a niche score of A-.
Centuries-old athletics and boarding schools on the cliff
Students can attend public schools Pell Elementary, which earned a C on the educational review site, Niche, Frank E Thompson Middle, which received a C-plus, and Rogers High, which has a B. Rogers has a history dating back well over a century; they’ve had a football team since the 1890s and their basketball team dates back to the early 1900s (about a decade after the sport itself was invented). Others enroll in private schools like St. Michael’s Country Day, which received an A-minus, and St. George’s, a boarding school with an A-plus rating and centuries-old classrooms overlooking the ocean.
The RIPTA trolly carries you through several stops around the Bellevue Avenue mansions.
RIPTA trolleys run along Bellevue
RIPTA – Rhode Island Public Transit Authority — buses service Bellevue Avenue and Estates, and residents can pick up bus 60 along East Main Road and ride it all the way to Downtown Providence for $2 — keep in mind that traffic going over the Pell and Mt. Hope Bridges can get heavy during the summertime. In Newport, some public buses have been designed to look like trolleys, giving the area a distinct 20th-century flare. “Because Salve’s there it means there’s a pretty reliable bus service,” says Bowser. “Trolleys come down Ochre Point and Bellevue during the day. During the summer months, some of the trolleys even run free along Bellevue.” Although Newport has a small public airport, most residents will head to T.F. Green in Warwick which offers direct flights to over 30 unique locations. There's also a ferry that runs seasonally between Newport, Bristol and Rhode Island’s small capital city.
Residents can seek medical care at Newport Hospital, a 109-bed facility located about 2 miles from Bellevue. For more intensive procedures, there’s the much larger Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Connor Dowd,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Aquidneck Park
Tennis
Trails
Playground
Brother Michael Reynolds Field
Freebody Park
Rovensky Park
Spencer Park
The Cliff Walk
Transit
Airport
Rhode Island Tf Green International
50 min drive
Bus
Bellevue & Ledge
Bus
Ochre Point Before Narragansett
Bus
Bellevue & Ledge (Drop-Off Only)
Bus
Marble House (On Bellevue)
Bus
Narragansett & Narragansett Hall
Bus
Ochre Point Before Leroy
Bus
Ruggles Opposite Carey Mansion
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Bellevue Avenue and Estates
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Bellevue Avenue and Estates, Middletown sell after 72 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Bellevue Avenue and Estates, Middletown over the last 12 months is $1,947,392, down 26% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Thoughtfully updated multi-family with mansard roof line located in the heart of Newport, RI. This house is perfectly primed for an owner-occupied property with rental income or a future single-family conversion. Nestled close to the beaches and lower Thames, this neighborhood offers an ideal blend of relaxation and convenience. Sited on a 7,000 square foot lot, the entire home spans 2,000 square
Live in one of Newport's most prestigious and iconic locations just steps from the Cliff Walk and Easton's Beach in this beautifully renovated three-story townhouse at Belmead on Bellevue. Tucked within a grand historic estate on nearly three acres of manicured grounds, this 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath residence (with a bonus room) offers the privacy of a single-family home with the ease of
Welcome to "The Hedges," an elegant condo redesigned by Richard Morris Hunt, perfectly situated between prestigious Bellevue Avenue and Morton Park. This 2-bedroom, 2-bath residence features a primary bedroom on the main level with an en-suite bath complete with an air tub. The updated kitchen and bathrooms add modern convenience. Enjoy your morning coffee on the east-facing balcony off the
Experience luxurious living on Bellevue Ave, surrounded by stunning mansions. This impressive two-bedroom apartment features elegant hardwood floors and a cozy fireplace, perfect for relaxing evenings. The beautifully landscaped yard adds to the charm of this property. Enjoy the convenience of walking to Bailey Beach and cycling along Ocean Drive at your leisure. Plus, you're just three
WINTER RENTAL September - May . Heat and water included. The condo is located in a secure building on the second floor, accessible by an elevator on the quiet west side. Seasonal pool. The updated kitchen is open to the spacious open dining/living room. Off the living room is a cozy, enclosed, furnished porch with a fireplace and TV. The large master bedroom has a walk-in closet, and the second
Bellevue Square Condominium. Ideal location! 3 BR, 3.5 BA townhouse. Fully equipped eat in kitchen. Large storage area and garage. Working fireplace too. Comes furnished. Agent prefers text or email.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Connor Dowd,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,308
Median Age
38
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
18.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.7%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$97,781
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$123,651
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.5%
College Graduates
61.9%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
28%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
60.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
48''
Average Winter Low Temperature
24°F
Average Summer High Temperature
77°F
Annual Snowfall
32''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
20/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
26/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
25/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
