The next Renovation Happy Hour (sponsored by the East Row neighborhood association) will be held this Thursday, May 4th, 5 to 7 PM, hosted by Brant and Kellye Owens at 402 W. 9th Street in Newport’s Buena Vista neighborhood. The property was built in 1907, in the height of the Queen Anne architectural period, and over the years went through many owners and transformations. At times it was a gambling hall, a brothel, a metal stamping plant and a funeral home. Perhaps this reminds you of Steven Spielberg’s 1982 film Poltergeist, and while we can’t promise you anything quite that dramatic, we can provide conviviality, a fascinating tour and carefully selected vintagesand cereal malt beverages.

You will recognize the building by its carefully restored turret at the corner of the structure. For years it existed in a state of suspended animation, decrepit and seemingly abandoned. The building’s current owner, Duane Cronin, of Diversified Capital Management, acquired it in 2017. According to Mr. Cronin, it was a total shambles, and little of the interior of the 10,000 square foot edifice was salvageable. There was fire damage, sagging floors, and rooms piled high with trash. After a complete renovation this ugly duckling emerged as a lovely swan (here we wax poetic), consisting of six units. The Owens occupy a fine two story apartment, while the basement is finished with a large party room.

Newport’s West End is currently experiencing a bustle of activity, which we believe will become a virtuous cycle, as this part of our city contains numerous candidates for reconstruction.  We look forward to many more renovated properties in the coming months and years.