Hopelands

Hopelands

Perched on a bluff overlooking the Sakonnet River in Middletown, Rhode Island, this French Country residence unfolds across an historic estate defined by manicured lawns and a working vineyard. The whitewashed brick house, accented with cheerful azure shutters, is revealed at the end of an allée of linden trees lining a picturesque cobblestone drive.

Mark Finlay Architects undertook a comprehensive restoration of the original 1930s residence, designed by George Howe, whose work bridged traditional and international style influences. The project preserved the architectural integrity of the historic structure while introducing carefully considered ancillary wings that expand its form and function, integrating seamlessly with the original composition.

A central objective was to restore the design intent and character of the original Hopelands estate while elevating the residence to meet contemporary standards. Working in close collaboration with the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission, the design team carefully followed the historic precedent, salvaging and reusing original building materials wherever possible.

The residence was reconstructed on a new foundation with a full basement, and the estate was further enhanced with a pool along the north façade, an expanded terrace and pathways, and the reconstruction of a half-walled garden within the rear landscape. Together, these elements reinforce the relationship between house and site, where historic landscape features and cultivated gardens blend with surrounding vineyards to reestablish the spirit of this revived French Normandy–style property.

The result is a residence defined by understated refinement, quiet elegance, and a strong sense of architectural continuity between past and present.

Photography: Warren Jagger, Peter Murdock
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