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Peter de Savary, The King of Clubs, Returns to Newport! Purchases Vanderbilt Hall
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Newport Seen Exclusive
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On Monday, November 18, Peter de Savary, one of Newport’s most well-known former residents sealed the deal on his purchase of Vanderbilt Hall from the Chace Family. The self-made, thoroughly British entrepreneur and yachtsman was gleeful when he met Newport Seen reporter, Marion Laffey Fox, the next morning.
“I always loved this building,” said de Savary as he table-hopped in tony French jeans and black open neck shirt. “Just imagine the outrageousness of it all –- Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt building it for his mistress in 1909, then its subsequent rescue in 1969 by Doris Duke for $150,000. She of course, turned it into a YMCA for the residents of Newport. After the YMCA left it in 1974, it became a workroom for the Preservation Society and eventually was rescued by Arnold “Buff” and Johnnie Chace, who bought it in 1995 and added a second wing and turned it into a hotel. It’s an amazing history.” ** (See comments by Paul Miller, Curator of
The Preservation Society of Newport Country, on Vanderbilt Hall's history below.)
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Peter de Savary, NS's Marion Laffey Fox, and Gene Michael Addis
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Included in de Savary’s enthusiasm for Vanderbilt Hall is his total adoration of all things Newport.
“I have been coming to Newport for 30 years and I love it. There is nothing like this town for sailors who come from all over the world. I came to sail here in 1980 and 1983 when I challenged for the America’s Cup, Eventually I owned five homes here, and developed the Carnegie Abbey Club in Portsmouth.”
After de Savary sold Carnegie Abbey Club to Philadelphia developer J. Brian O’Neill three years ago, he confined his holdings to the Caribbean, where he is developing Port Louis, a maritime village with marina, hotels, retail and real estate opportunities, as well as Mount Cinnamon, a boutique beach-front resort on Grenada in the West Indies. In addition, he is involved with the Carey Arms in England, where he and his wife Lana de Savary have recently opened a charming inn on the West Coast of Devon.
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Vanderbilt Hall at dusk, soon to become a private club
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If de Savary is known for his intrepid spirit and bold decision-making skills, it’s for good reason. Among the most repeated stories about his adventures, was the purchase of property on Great Abaco Island. which he spotted from the window of an airplane. Recognizing the incredible potential of the scrubby dense jungle of tamiami and banyan-tree forest, he immediately explored the wild site on foot with a machete-wielding guide, who led him to a gorgeous half-moon beach. Today, these outrageous stories burnish his personal lore while the properties he conceptualized invariably enjoy the benefits of his vision. (Today, the stunning Abaco Club on Winding Bay is owned by Ritz Carlton.)
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The reception lounge
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As venerable Vanderbilt Hall joins the stellar list of de Savary properties, it too will become a shining star. “ I love the outrageousness of this project, “ he said. “ I have a vision of how it should look decoratively and will start on that immediately with talented faux painter Luke Randall, who is here this morning to exchange ideas.”
Farther down the road, de Savary said he envisions the building becoming a superb hotel and Club with a world-class spa, and "English gastro-bistro.” To ensure the purity of the authentic British fare, he instructed the chef to ring up his chef in Devon and get the recipe for real fish & chips done up in the proper English batter. “I’m having fish and chips, with the staff tonight, to celebrate,” he explained, “and I want it to be right for my happy return to Newport!.”
We will be reporting on the progress of newly-burnished Vanderbilt Hall until its debut in Spring of 2010.
M.L.F.
Amended history of Vanderbilt Hall, submitted by Paul Miller, Curator of The Preservations Society of Newport County:
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Discreet signage
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The back courtyard
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A dining area
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The Polo Bar
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In front of the Alva Mantel
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A view of the courtyard
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A card table
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Current bedroom
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The stately entrance
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Welcome to Vanderbilt Hall, Peter de Savary
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** "Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt (1877-1915), then of Oakland Farm, Portsmouth, RI, donated $110,000. in 1908 to the Newport chapter of the YMCA to erect a new building on Mary Street in Newport in memory of his late father Cornelius Vanderbilt, II (1843-1899) of The Breakers. The senior Vanderbilt had been a devoted supporter of the YMCA in New York. The present neo-Georgian structure was designed by the New York architect George S. Chappell of Erving & Chappell, as a club facility with theater, ballroom, gymnasium and swimming pool; its cornerstone was laid on November 19, 1908 and the building was formally dedicated on January 1, 1910. Declared redundant when the Newport County YMCA moved to its new facility on Valley Road in Middletown, the structure was saved by Doris Duke and her Newport Restoration Foundation for use a a woodworking/carpentry shop. It was sold by the NRF for conversion into a hotel.(There was) No mistress, (it was) never a private residence and (it was) never the property of the Preservation Society."