The historic Beechwood mansion located in Newport, Rhode Island and owned by tech billionaire Larry Ellison is drawing complaints from neighbors as it awaits long-promised landscaping improvements, which are expected to take one year to complete
An historic Rhode Island estate owned by tech billionaire Larry Ellison is drawing complaints from neighbors as it awaits long-promised landscaping improvements.
The area around historic Rhode Island estate owned by tech billionaire Larry Ellison is drawing complaints from neighbors as it awaits long-promised landscaping improvements, located in Newport, remains barren and resembles a construction site even after undergoing a $100 million restoration last year, the Newport Daily News reported.
But work on a planned reflecting pool, gardens and other elaborate landscaping that is expected to take about on year to finish has not even yet begun.
City officials say they have received a number of complaints from nearby residents but will not intervene unless it becomes a safety hazard, as the city has no jurisdiction over landscapes, even on historic estates.
City officials say they have received complaints from nearby residents but will not intervene unless it becomes a safety hazard
Approval was given for an extensive landscaping plan, including reflecting pool, parterre garden pools and two pergolas, from the Historic District Commission in 2014.
The construction portion of the renovation was completed well before December, which was when Newport Building Official William Hanley Jr. issued a permanent certificate of occupancy for the buildings included in the Beechwood mansion.
Ellison, co-founder of Oracle Corporation, which is a California-based software company, renovated the mansion to house his 18th- and 19th-century European art collection and put it on public display.
That portion of the estate will be referred to as the new Beechwood Art Museum.
Approval was given for an extensive landscaping plan, including reflecting pool, parterre garden pools and two pergolas, from the Historic District Commission in 2014
Despite construction renovation, costing $100 million, being completed one year ago, work on the elaborate landscaping has not yet begun
‘The museum will be open to the public as a showcase of selected works from a private collection,’ a written description of the project filed in City Hall read.
‘The museum visitor will be invited into the comfortable residential setting to tour the art collection, as well as stroll the surrounding appointed gardens and water features.’
The mansion was once owned by the famed Astor family, namesakes of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, as well as Astoria, Queens, and Astor Place, where the New York Mail Online offices are located.
William Backhouse Astor, Jr, who was the grandson of John Jacob Astor, purchased it in 1881 and spent $2 million renovating it at that time, according to Newport Discovery Guide.
Ellison bought the main portion of the property in 2010 for $10.5 million, which put at lesat a temporary halt to a long run of the property being open to the public for tours and availability for booking it for various functions.
He acquired lots to the north and south of his initial purchase in the years to follow.
Ellison could not be reached for comment.
Ellison bought the main portion of the property in 2010 for $10.5 million and acquired lots to the north and south of his initial purchase in the years to follow