The Breakers (1878)

The Breakers, built in 1878, was a stunning Queen Anne style mansion located in Newport, Rhode Island, designed by Peabody and Stearns for Pierre Lorillard IV. Acquired by Cornelius Vanderbilt II in 1885, it was celebrated as one of the most magnificent estates in Newport before being tragically destroyed by fire in 1892. Despite its brief existence, The Breakers remains a significant point of interest for architectural historians and tourists alike, with its impressive design and rich history. The original estate was notable for its high tower, steeply-gabled roof, and luxurious features, while a surviving children's playhouse on the grounds is open for tours. The current Breakers, rebuilt after the fire, is a grand 70-room mansion that showcases the opulence of the Gilded Age and is now managed by the Preservation Society of Newport County.