 It was designed by the architectural firm of Gambrill and Richardson, though there is no evidence of Gambrill's involvement in the design, and built by the Norcross Brothers.According to an article in the "Newport Mercury" (January 9, 1875), its frame was constructed in New Jersey and shipped to Newport for assembly.The original house was 2-1/2 stories in height and basically rectangular, about in dimensions, with porte-cochere on the east facade, and two principal entrances on the west.