'The Playhouse' Sold, Restoration Planned

The much-adored historic Ocean Avenue property known as "The Playhouse" has been sold for $2.1 million.

Gustave White International Realty Agent Jay Serzan just announced that the property, which is a combination carriage house and boathouse and was originally part of the adjacent Wildacre Estate built in 1901, has been sold to David and Joann Vieau for $2,190,000.

The Vieaus plan to restore the historic building, which is located at 294 Ocean Avenue. The two have previously restored the Beacon Rock Carriage House, located on Newport Harbor, and Stone Gables Carriage House, located in the Kay/Catherine neighborhood.

"The Playhouse" was sold by The Gayle P. Petersen Revocable Trust. Mrs. Petersen's late husband, Raymond J. Petersen, purchased the property in 1990 as a wedding gift for his wife. He was an executive vice president of Hearst Magazines and a longtime trustee of The Hearst Family Trust. Previous owners include former Newport Mayor Fred Alofsin.