General Woodcraft Provides Ipe Decking for Replica of Historic Hotel
WATCH HILL, RHODE ISLAND— Originally built in 1868, the Ocean House remained the only standing hotel from the glory days of the Victorian era mid-way between Boston and New York. At the turn of the twentieth century the big yellow hotel became an innovative landmark physically and socially. Ocean House was the first resort hotel in the country to offer telephone service and indoor plumbing.
Despite valiant efforts to refurbish this beautiful landmark, it was considered "too deteriorated to restore." To the sincere dismay of local historians and preservationists, several large condominiums were on the verge of being built on the parcel. Just then, a local businessman, Charles M. Royce, "appeared on the scene like a white knight". Not only did he rescue the hotel, by buying it from the original owner for $11.5 million, but he also agreed to restore the Ocean House or replicate it if the building was beyond repair.
In 2006 the original Ocean House was demolished. In its footprint, a new grand hotel has been built that includes many original artifacts and furnishings that were saved from the original. True to his word, Mr. Royce’s vision is now nearly a reality.
The new luxury hotel (which also includes several units available as condominiums) is a splendid reminder of coastal New England of an era gone by. The spacious Mataverde® Ipe decks provide a stunning view of Block Island Sound and Narragansett Bay. General Woodcraft is proud to be the supplier of Mataverde® Premium Ipe decking for this remarkable project.