A4 Spotlight: Newport Buildings in HBO’s The Gilded Age

The Ballroom at The Breakers in HBO’s The Gilded Age, Credit to Alison Cohen Rosa

 

Sir Julian Fellowes became famous for his wildly successful television series Downton Abbey, about the Grantham Family and their ancestral home. To follow up on that success, Fellowes was looking for a place where the magnificent setting could be part of the series, helping give a unique setting to the story. He then came across Newport, Rhode Island, which he has called “a village of palaces.” This small city in the smallest state in the Union was at one time an epicenter of elegance and magnificence in the United States during the period that has come to be known as “The Gilded Age”. Many of the buildings constructed in Newport during that time are still intact and beautifully preserved.

In season one, the action takes place primarily in New York, but when it came time to choose an architectural backdrop for his new American Television series “The Gilded Age”, it was only natural that Julian Fellowes would use Newport to serve as the setting for much of the on-screen action. The show is a captivating series that delves into the opulence and societal dynamics of late 19th-century America. A significant part of the show’s allure comes from the stunning locations featured throughout the various episodes, particularly the historic houses of Newport, which would have been impossible to replicate with modern-day sets.

 

 

Newport, renowned for its extraordinary mansions, provided many settings for the filming and helps showcase the grandeur of the era. One of the most prominent locations is The Breakers, a mansion that epitomizes the lifestyle of America’s elite during the Gilded Age. Designed for the Vanderbilt family in the 1890s by architect Richard Morris Hunt, this Italian Renaissance-style estate features exquisite architectural details, lavish interiors, and breathtaking ocean views. The interior of the Breakers serves as a key backdrop in the series, representing the stately New York mansion of the Russell family, and highlights the luxurious lives of wealthy characters and offering a vivid glimpse into their world.

 

 

Another notable mansion used in the shooting of the show is Marble House, also designed by the renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt. Commissioned by Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt, Marble House is a stunning example of the Beaux-Arts architectural style. Its marble façade and opulent rooms are showcased in various scenes, enhancing the show’s visual storytelling. The mansion’s grand dining room adds an extra layer of elegance, making it a fitting representation of the extravagance that defined the period.

 

 

Rosecliff, a mansion inspired by the Grand Trianon at Versailles, stands in for the house of wealthy art patroness Sylvia Chamberlain and (through the power of computer graphics) is magically transported to an 1890’s New York streetscape. Rosecliff was originally designed for silver heiress Tessie Oelrichs in the early 1900s by the famous firm McKim, Mead and White. This house also was a central setting in the 1974 production of The Great Gatsby.

 

 

In season two, more of the show’s action shifts to Newport and many more of its buildings are used to represent themselves. One entire episode is centered on the events occurring at the Newport Casino (1879), a Shingle Style tennis club that was the first design of the McKim Mead and White firm.

Season three, which is expected to come out on HBO sometime in 2025, will use Chateau-Sur-Mer, The Elms and other Newport venues extensively in its production. It will be fun to see them all magically transported back 140 years to the time of The Gilded Age to become the settings for the drama and action of the upcoming season.

 

 

The choice of Newport as a filming location not only adds historical authenticity but also infuses the series with a distinct sense of time and place. Each mansion has its own stories to tell, and Sir Julian utilizes many of these stories to add authenticity and flavor to the scripts, helping capture the grandeur and complexities of a bygone era. The architecture, lush gardens, and coastal vistas blend seamlessly with the narrative, drawing viewers into the world of the characters. The houses of Newport, RI, are more than just filming locations; they are integral to the storytelling of “The Gilded Age.”

Through these magnificent places the viewers gain insight into the lives of the wealthy elite, while also appreciating the architectural splendor that defined this iconic American era. The combination of captivating storytelling and stunning visuals makes “The Gilded Age” a must-watch for fans of history and drama alike and the Newport buildings that inspired the stories are a “must-visit” for all those who have been enchanted and intrigued by the series.

 

Ross Cann, RA, AIA, LEED AP, is an author, historian, teacher and practicing architect living and working in Newport, RI. He holds degrees in Architecture and Architectural History from Yale, Cambridge, and Columbia Universities.