This $8.5 Million Beachfront Estate In Rhode Island Is The Perfect Family Compound

A waterfront estate on 1.8 acres in a hidden enclave of Bristol Highlands, Rhode Island is on the market for $8.5 million. The home is located 40 minutes from Newport.

Called Shangri-La, the estate with 9,248-square-feet of interior space originated as a classic Bristol Highlands cottage. The property’s privacy and beauty inspired its owners to acquire the neighboring parcels and create a collection of residences, totaling seven bedrooms and 12 baths.

The compound is expansive with two guest houses, a main house, a “glass house”, staff quarters, two greenhouses, a tea house, swimming pool with a pavilion and several garages. The grounds include a private sandy beach.

The property offers uninterrupted water views spanning to the horizon. Outdoor living spaces are perfectly landscaped and capture the dramatic sunset views over Narragansett Bay.

“The scope of this property is at once calming while expansive, with bright and airy interiors, artful structural design and breathtaking water views,” says Kathleen Coumou, executive director of Christie’s International Real Estate, which is representing the property along with Lila Delman Real Estate, its exclusive affiliate in Rhode Island. “Shangri-La, as in the book “Lost Horizon,” truly is heaven on earth.”

The Main House and Guest House are at the heart of the estate, and joined by a heated infinity pool with southwestern vistas of Narragansett Bay. The single story main house features an open floor plan with cathedral ceilings accented by timber beams and a series of glass doors opening to an expansive teak lanai.

There are brick fireplaces in the kitchen and living room where a two-story fireplace is centered on the A-frame wall and flanked by rectangular windows.

The living room features textured walls, exotic woods and limestone. The living space is ideal for entertaining and features a state-of-the-art kitchen, climate-controlled wine room and butler’s pantry.

The master bedroom features a stone fireplace, expansive spa bath and loft space.

The guest house offers two levels of living, with ensuite bedrooms on the second floor. In the living room, a series of unobstructed glass windows act as a gallery wall framing the water views.

The two homes are connected by the infinity pool and cabana.

Added in 2007 and designed by Snider Architects, the 3,513-square-foot Glass House features a soaring two-story great room with the west wall almost entirely of glass. It has a state-of-the-art kitchen is ideal for entertaining and an outdoor deck with a fireplace. In the lower level, there is an expansive guest bedroom suite that opens to an outdoor shower, the greenhouse, koi pond and the private beach beyond.

Built in 2016, the 600-square-foot Tea House is situated at the quietest section of the property. The Japanese-inspired building is distinguished by an enormous veranda with seating that is the ideal platform at which to view the Bristol Highland’s yacht races and sunsets. The landscape design complements the overall aesthetic with outdoor sculpture gardens and an additional greenhouse where vegetables and flowers are grown.

Bristol Highlands offers a homeowners’ association, which provides a swimming area, clay tennis court, clubhouse, boat dock and mooring. The association also organizes social events year-round, including summer lobster boils and holiday cookouts.

The compound can be sold in its entirety, or each subdivided lot can be purchased separately.

The property is listed with Lila Delman Real Estate, the exclusive Affiliate in Rhode Island, with worldwide marketing services provided by Christie’s International Real Estate.

This post first appeared on Forbes.com. To see the original, click here.