The Providence News

VANDERBILT TO BUY THE FORTY-ACRE SITE.
Will Erect Villa at Newport That Will Rival the "Breakers" in Magnificence—Three Years to Build.

Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt's reported purpose to purchase the famous "forty acre" tract of the Newport hospital, in Ocean avenue, where he is to erect a palatial villa, and the statement that he has taken a three years' lease of charming Beaulieu, is delightful news to Newport proper and to those who make the City-by-the-Sea their place of summer sojourn.

It has been known for some time that Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt had great difficulty in finding a villa among those for rent—one sufficiently large and attractive—and that they were looking about for a building site, one that would compare favorably with the Newport residences of the other members of the Vanderbilt family.

THE "FORTY ACRE" TRACT.

Last autumn, while they had the matter under consideration, in view of the fact that they were about to leave Newport, the "forty acre" tract was called to their attention. After examining the plot they expressed their satisfaction with it and the opportunity for development which it offered.

The report reached Newport in a private letter last week that Mr. Vanderbilt would in all probability purchase a whole or part of the tract, but gave little surprise to the trustees of the Newport hospital, who had been hoping for some time past to dispose of the land to him.

The "forty acre" tract is one of the most beautiful sites in Newport. Mr. Vanderbilt could develop it into a summer residence to rival the Breakers, which once seemed destined to be his.

THOUGHT GOULD WOULD BUY.

It is no secret that Mr. and Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish expressed to Mr. and Mrs. George Gould, when they were at Newport last July, a wish that they would purchase this tract of land and build upon it.

At Mr. Fish's suggestion Mr. Gould inspected the place, and, looking off over the wild ocean picture and then across the lily pond with its water foliage in full bloom, and over the picturesque rolling country toward the town, Mr. Gould pronounced the spot one of the fairest he had ever seen.

Cottagers were delighted with the idea that Mr. Gould would purchase the place, and all summer long it was shown to sightseers as the site upon which Mr. Gould would build. The "forty acre" tract has a frontage of 1600 feet on the ocean drive. There are three building sites of equal elevation and attractiveness, but it is understood at Newport that Mr. Vanderbilt is to buy the whole or the greater part of the land.

BEAULIEU TEMPORARY HOME.

Information comes to Newport that Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt, weary of trying to crowd themselves, their children and their numerous servants into Newport's smaller villas, have taken Beaulieu, Mr. William Waldorf Astor's place, in Bellevue avenue, for a term of three years, from which they may look out across the fields and see their new summer home on the hospital land grow from day to day.

Though it is one of the oldest places, Beaulieu is still beautiful. The villa is of brick and stone, and was built in 1880 by Francis L. Berreda, who was minister from Spain, and a man of great wealth. Several years later it was purchased by the late J. J. Astor, who deeded it all to his son, William Waldorf Astor, for $10 and the natural love and affection he bore him. The deed is dated December 28, 1887, and it is understood to have been a Christmas gift. It is stated that this is the reason why Mr. William Waldorf Astor would never entertain an offer for its purchase.

BEAULIEU'S ENTERTAINMENTS.

For ten years Beaulieu has been for rent. Three seasons it was occupied by the late Calvin S. Brice, the next two years Mr. and Mrs. Potter Palmer had it. Last season it was closed.

Since its building it has been the scene of magnificent social functions, the last being the wedding of Mrs. Palmer's niece, Miss Julia Grant, and the Prince Cantacuzene. Beaulieu is entered from a terrace, from which the wide hall runs directly through the house to a rear terrace, looking out over the wide lawn to the cliff.

At the right of the entrance are a library, a reception room and a white and gold ball room. On the other side of the hall are a small reception room, the grand staircase and the dining room.

Beaulieu is admirably suited for entertaining. The grounds cover six acres.