Ochre Court, Newport

Ochre Court stands as an opulent testament to the Gilded Age, a remarkable châteauesque mansion. Commissioned by Ogden Goelet, this architectural marvel was brought to life in 1892 at a staggering cost of $4.5 million, making it a grand testament to the Goelet family's wealth and stature in American society.

Ochre Court ranks as the second largest mansion in Newport, surpassed only by the nearby grandeur of The Breakers. These two magnificent estates, along with Belcourt Castle, the third largest mansion, and Marble House, were all masterfully designed by the illustrious architect Richard Morris Hunt. Today, Ochre Court is proudly owned by Salve Regina University, and it stands as a symbol of an era when grandeur knew no bounds.

The Goelet family, part of the American dynasty, had humble beginnings in 18th-century trade, which later burgeoned into vast 19th-century investments. Ogden Goelet, the visionary behind Ochre Court, was a banker, real estate investor, and a competitive yachtsman.

Architect Richard Morris Hunt poured his creative genius into the design of Ochre Court, taking inspiration from the elegant châteaux of France's Loire Valley. The mansion's design prominently follows the Louis XIII-style of architecture, characterized by soaring roofs, turrets, tall chimneys, and elaborate dormers. The opulence extends to every corner of the mansion, where one can marvel at classical-style ceiling paintings, ornate heraldry, intricately carved emblems and statues, and a wealth of stunning stained glass.

Ochre Court's exterior was chosen as a backdrop for the movie "True Lies," where it portrayed the Swiss mansion that Arnold Schwarzenegger's character infiltrates and escapes from in the movie's thrilling opening sequence.