University finalizes deal for grand Bristol estate

Roger Williams University today purchased the magnificent “Wind Hill” estate and an adjacent three-acre parcel at the southern end of Bristol, for $6,750,000. Together, the properties total 20 acres with several buildings and a deepwater dock, overlooking Narragansett Bay.

The university has not announced its plans for the property, other than stating that it does not intend to place residences there. According to university spokesman Edward Fitzpatrick, the university purchased the property for some future long-term use, but it has no immediate plans for the land or its three residential buildings. Roger Williams paid for the acquisition from its endowment fund, and the land will be considered an asset within that fund.

The property is centered around a grand Tudor Revival summer residence designed by New York architects Trowbridge & Livingston for John B. Mills in 1890, later enlarged in 1922 by the second owner, Paul C. Nicholson of the Nicholson File Company.

The manor house has 10 bedrooms and 6.3 bathrooms on three floors of living space. In addition to the 8,000-square-foot house, the property boasts a pool set within a walled garden area overlooking Narragansett Bay, as well as a deep-water dock, a four-bedroom carriage house, a two-bedroom historic gate house built in the 1920s, and garage space for 13 cars. There are also stables and a tennis court.

The home was most recently owned by the heirs of sailing legend Stanley Livingston, who hosted America’s Cup luminaries and grand gatherings, at the estate. It is located on Ferry Road, across from the university’s main entrance. Its neighbors are Columban Fathers to the north and Low Lane to the south.

The private estate is zoned Residential and valued at about $3.4 million by the Town of Bristol. The annual property tax is nearly $51,000 per year.

Chandler Lyell of Gustave White Sotheby’s represented the buyer. Alyce Wright of Lila Delman Real Estate represented the seller.