SALE OF HISTORIC SAMUEL DURFEE HOUSE MARKS NEWPORT'S HIGHEST MULTI-FAMILY SALE OF 2026

The historic Samuel Durfee House at 352 Spring Street, together with 9 Bowery Court, has sold and settled for $4,500,000, marking the highest-priced multifamily property sale in Newport in 2026 and the highest such sale in the city in approximately four and a half years, according to information in the State-wide Rhode Island MLS.

The previous $4.5 million multifamily sale in Newport was “Rosevale” at 30 Red Cross Avenue, which sold in 2022.

Tyler Bernadyn, Broker and Co-Owner of REMAX Results, represented the sellers in the transaction, which also marks the end of nearly three decades of ownership and stewardship by the de Pinho family. The family has owned, operated and cared for the property for the past 28 years.

Located in the heart of downtown Newport at the top of Howard Street, the property is particularly unique for its collection of three distinct buildings, each with its own history, character and use.

At its center is 352 Spring Street, the Samuel Durfee House, an English Federal residence dating to circa 1803. For decades, the historic home has operated as a five-room guest house, welcoming visitors to Newport while maintaining the architectural character and sense of place that define the city’s historic residential neighborhoods.

Behind the main house sits The Barn, a three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath residence that represents a thoughtful example of adaptive reuse and historic preservation. Its restoration was recognized with a Doris Duke Historic Preservation Award in 2016, celebrating the successful transformation of the structure while respecting its historic character and connection to the surrounding property.

Completing the property is 9 Bowery Court, a separate two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath cottage tucked behind the Spring Street streetscape.

Together, the guest house, award-winning barn residence and private cottage create a collection of assets that is difficult to replicate in downtown Newport, offering a combination of historic architecture, hospitality, residential use and flexibility within a single property.

For the de Pinho family, however, the property has been much more than a collection of real estate assets. It has been their home and a place where they raised a family, celebrated holidays and milestones, welcomed visitors from around the world, and contributed to Newport’s longstanding tradition of locally owned inns and guest houses.

“This sale represents much more than the transfer of a property,” Bernadyn said. “For 28 years, Michael and Heather de Pinho family poured an incredible amount of love and care into this property. They raised their family here, built a successful hospitality business and became part of the fabric of Newport. What they are leaving behind is a legacy, and it was a privilege to help them transition such an important property to its next chapter. I know this address will always be part of their story.”

The $4.5 million sale underscores the continued demand for distinctive Newport properties, particularly those that combine architectural or historical significance, established hospitality use, multiple residences and a prime location.

“Properties like this are impossible to recreate,” Bernadyn added. “It’s one of the most unique in the city. You have an early 19th-century guest house, an award-winning barn restoration and a separate cottage, all working together as one compound in the center of Newport. It was an honor selling a piece of Newport’s history and a property that has been thoughtfully stewarded by a family I am proud to call friends.”

Bernadyn represented the sellers in the transaction on behalf of REMAX Results. Buddy Hill represented the buyer.