Marble House, one of the most opulent Gilded Age palaces, was a birthday gift to Alva Vanderbilt.

By the second part of the 19th century, Newport, Rhode Island, turned from a pretty seaside town into an opulent Gilded Age resort. Built as summer houses for the Gilded Age elites, the grand mansions looked like the palaces of European Royalty.

One of the most remarkable of them was the Marble House. Built between 1888 and 1892 as a summer “cottage,” it was a 39th birthday gift to Alva Vanderbilt by her husband, William K. Vanderbilt. Marble House was designed by one of New York’s leading architects of the day – Richard Morris Hunt, who drew his inspiration from the Petit Trianon at the Palace of Versailles.

The Marble house is not just a metaphor – it’s covered in marble inside and out. The 50-room mansion was considered the most lavish house in America and was built at the cost of $11 million.

Dining Room

This is the room where Alva Vanderbilt had her everyday lunch with her three children. The room is striking: its walls are covered with rose-colored marble, and the dining chairs are inspired by those of Louis XIVth. Weighing 75 pounds, they were so heavy that they could not be moved without the help of a footman.

Morning Room

This room, filled with light, served as a library and a sitting room.

Gothic Room

The Gothic Room was specifically designed to house the Gothic Art collection purchased by Alva and served as a private museum. The room features various Gothic elements, including a striking ribbed ceiling. It’s in this room that Consuelo Vanderbilt accepted the proposal of the 9th Duke of Marlborough.

Grand Salon

This gilded room was designed for the best of the Gilded Age entertaining and was appropriately covered with 22-carat gold. It was a gilded setting for the grand ball Alva gave in honor of the 9th Duke of Marlborough – her future son-in-law.

Grand Staircase

Consuelo’s Bedroom

The austere room with a dark ceiling and red walls was designed by Alva for her teenage daughter Consuelo. Not giving any choice to her daughter, Alva picked every detail.

Mrs Vanderbilt’s Bedroom

Beautiful, soft, and feminine, this room is a lilac-colored fairy tale.