One time she arrived at a party by climbing to the roof and descending the chimney. Taylor Swift's, new song titled 'The Last Great American Dynasty' is about Rebekah Harkness, the scandal-ridden socialite who once owned the Watch Hill, Rhode Island mansion Swift purchased in 2013 The governor of Rhode Island, Gina Raimondo, proposed (and later withdrew) a hefty second-home tax that was dubbed the “ Taylor Swift tax.” No trespassing signs popped up on the property. Gina Raimondo in 2015 floated, but eventually retracted, the idea of a “Taylor Swift tax” on second homes worth more than $1 million. Taylor Swift Gives Historical Tours of Her Rhode Island Home to Friends and Family Yes, this is the house she sings about in "The Last Great American Dynasty!" (Yes, the seaside mansion that was the setting for Taymerica .) The property spans 5.23 acres and is said to be “the highest point of direct waterfront land on the entire eastern seaboard.” Taylor Swift bought an 11,000-square-foot Rhode Island mansion for $17.75 million in 2013, and she reportedly paid for it in cash. Taylor Swift’s House: Where the Singer Calls Home. The beachfront property, perched on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at 12 Bluff Avenue in Westerly, Rhode Island, in the affluent village … Back in 2013, Taylor Swift paid a whopping $17.75 million for the 8-bedroom mansion — along with 700 feet of shoreline — in Rhode Island. Subscriber She married William Hale Harkness, heir to the Standard Oil fortune, in 1947, and a year later, as Swift writes, “They picked out a home and called it ‘Holiday House’ / Their parties were tasteful, if a little loud / The doctor had told him to settle down / It must have been her fault his heart gave out.” William died of a heart attack in 1954, leaving the hilltop beach house to his wife. Gina Raimondo in 2015 floated, but eventually retracted, the idea of a “Taylor Swift tax” on second homes … In 1966, she had a blue geodesic dome installed on her lawn for the dancers to practice beneath; outraged locals sued her, citing zoning restrictions, and Harkness was forced to take it down, according to the 2005 book “Watch Hill Through Time” by the Watch Hill Conservancy. Last year she picked up a home near the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port , MA. Swift explains it briefly in a verse—Harkness once owned Holiday House, the singer’s current Watch Hill, Rhode Island, home. While other locals are more positive about their superstar neighbor, it appears Swift feels at least some kind of kinship to Harkness, switching to the first person in the final chorus: “Who knows, if I never showed up, what could’ve been / There goes the loudest woman this town has ever seen / I had a marvelous time ruining everything.”. The first property Taylor Swift purchased was located in Nashville. Built in 1930, the mansion sits on the highest point in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, and features 700 feet of shoreline and views of Little Narragansett Bay, according to the real-estate site Zillow. She expanded the house, which sits on the bluff for which Watch Hill is named, until it had eight kitchens and 21 bathrooms. Swift has owned her more-than-11,000-square-foot mansion in Rhode Island since 2013, when she reportedly bought it in cash for about $17 million, according to TMZ. According to TMZ and real estate blog The Real Estalker, country-pop princess Taylor Swift has purchased a waterfront mansion in Watch Hill, RI for around $17 million. Photos come courtesy of Zillow The 1930’s home is ocean front and located at the highest point on… Continue reading → Last month, an allegedly stolen car crashed into Swift’s gate. Swift has owned her more-than-11,000-square-foot mansion in Rhode Island since 2013, when she reportedly bought it in cash for about $17 million, according to TMZ. since. When Harkness sold Holiday House in the 1970s, the 40-room property had swollen to such a size that it was divided into three lots, according to “Watch Hill Through Time.” The center lot, containing the house itself — now so large it had to be trimmed through partial demolition on both sides — was sold to the Wattles family, who renamed it High Watch and kept a decidedly lower profile. WATCH HILL, RHODE ISLAND In 2013, Taylor bought this massive East Cost property for a whopping $17.75 million…and rumor has it she paid CASH. By … ... Rhode Island, is home to her largest property, square-footage-wise, in a seven-bedroom estate … Swift captures the tension between Harkness and her neighbors in the song’s chorus, singing: “There goes the maddest woman this town has ever seen / She had a marvelous time ruining everything.”. Taylor Swift currently owns more than million worth of penthouses and mansions throughout the United States, including New York City, Nashville, Rhode Island, and Beverly Hills. First, as soon as she bought the house in 2013, came grumblings from locals about traffic created by the flood of … Her security presence reportedly irked some locals at first, and Rhode Island Gov. The singer/songwriter is known for having thrown major Fourth of July parties at the house in the past. By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Business Insider At Holiday House, Harkness was a fairly legendary party host, entertaining guests such as Howard Hughes and Salvador Dalí, according to Unger’s biography. Watch Hill is an affluent coastal village located in the town of Westerly. Account active Sign up for a daily selection of our best stories — based on your reading preferences. Like Harkness, Swift made waves when she moved into the exclusive enclave. Taylor Swift’s 12,000-square-foot beach house sits atop the highest point of the Rhode Island town, serving as the destination for her notorious A-List parties. Her security presence reportedly irked some locals at first, and Rhode Island Gov. The Rhode Island mansion, built in 1930, is packed full of fancy features, including 8 fireplaces, hardwood floors throughout, and a swimming pool, all while sitting on 5-acres of oceanfront property. Since then, the musician has put her hard-earned, lavish home to good use by hosting numerous parties with famous friends, known as her squad. Like Harkness, Swift made waves when she moved into the exclusive enclave. Complete with seven bedrooms, eight fireplaces, a glorious pool, and shoreline views extending 700 feet, this mansion is one of her most impressive buys. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. It includes eight bedrooms, eight fireplaces, and a pool in the back, which was the site of a notable Fourth of July party that Swift hosted this month. “Folklore,” which Swift said she wrote and recorded in isolation, is more poetic than punchy pop, a stripped-down symphony of storytelling. as well as other partner offers and accept our, No one wants to buy 50 Cent's incredible $6 million mansion that he's been forced to sell due to bankruptcy, Inside Drake's $8 million mansion with a pool that puts Hugh Hefner to shame. Taylor Swift bought an 11,000-square-foot Rhode Island mansion for $17.75 million in 2013, and she reportedly paid for it in cash. She filled fish tanks with goldfish and Scotch, and — as Swift hints at in the song — cleaned her swimming pool with champagne. With some 700 feet of private beachfront, Swift’s seven-bedroom, 11,000-square-foot mansion has since played host to a string of star-spangled summer parties over the years, with an A-list assortment of actors, models, and musicians in attendance, including Emma Stone, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Serayah, Gigi Hadid, and various Jonas brothers. Taylor’s house in Rhode Island The super-luxe, high-brow pad features 8-bedrooms, multiple fireplaces, and a pool/hot tube combo spread out about the 5.23 acres of land – with enough terraces and balconies to make your head spin. 12 Bluff Ave.Justine ChangThe home next to Taylor Swift's Rhode Island mansion is on the market.Called Hill House, it is listed for $11.95 million. As the song concludes, it turns, juxtaposing Swift’s ownership of the house with Harkness’ — thematically linking the two “loud women” and their relationship with Westerly. “I wonder if Taylor Swift might like to hear the story of … Cottage style homes are historically popular here, and residents typically refer even to mansions as "cottages," Simmons said. Taylor Swift’s estimated net worth of $360 million includes a $80 million+ property portfolio including her two Beverley Hills homes, a Nashville penthouse and mansion, New York duplex and the colossal Watch Hill estate that Swift decamps to in the summer, most notably for her fourth of July celebrations. As Swift sings: “Fifty years is a long time / Holiday House sat quietly on that beach / Free of women with madness, their men and bad habits / And then it was bought by me.”. It also has a multiple car garage and the most strangely laid out driveway we’ve ever seen. But not every home has a song, much less a track on the No. She was once bounced from an ocean liner for shouting obscenities, throwing plates at the band, and swimming nude, according to a 1988 New York Times review of “Blue Blood.” An aspiring composer, she rang J. D. Salinger’s doorbell dressed as a cleaning woman, with hopes of setting the author’s writing to music. Let’s take a peek inside Taylor’s Haute Home. The beachfront mansion has 8,381 square feet. Born Rebekah West in St. Louis, Harkness spent her childhood summers in Watch Hill. Courtesy of Zillow 4 West Village Apartment According to Vogue magazine, Taylor Swift purchased this stunning home in Watch Hill, Rhode Island in 2013. It’s an easy 65 feet from the ocean—perfect for a frolick in a two-piece, swim in the water, and then a quick Shake it Off to dry.. Here is a look around Taylor Swift’s Rhode Island Holiday House: By all accounts, Harkness was a character. And one of those stories is about Holiday House, Swift’s vacation home in wealthy Watch Hill, R.I. — or, more specifically, one of its former owners. Hill House was built in 1905 in the New England cottage style. Taylor Swift reportedly paid for this home in cash. Harkness used her fortune to sponsor various ballet companies and, in the 1960s, would bring the dancers to Watch Hill for the summer. A song on Taylor Swift's surprise album, "Folklore," which she dropped on Friday, features a song about the history of the mansion she owns in Rhode Island, as … Since then, the … Taylor Swift Rhode Island House - 2016 Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmAjPUJfRJr7cDFzjTTsw4Q?sub_confirmation=1 Taylor Swift wasn’t joking when she reportedly bought her $17 million Rhode Island mansion in cash back in 2013. Every Independence Day, Taylor Swift hosts an epic Fourth of July party at her oceanfront mansion in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, and stars from Ed Sheeran to … Check out the inside of Swift's home and see her A-list parties in action: A photo posted by Taylor Swift Updates (@taylorswift.updates) on Jul 4, 2016 at 9:51am PDTJul 4, 2016 at 9:51am PDT, A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift)Jul 5, 2016 at 12:24pm PDT, A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Jul 5, 2016 at 2:39pm PDTJul 5, 2016 at 2:39pm PDT, A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Jul 5, 2016 at 12:28pm PDTJul 5, 2016 at 12:28pm PDT, A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Jul 5, 2016 at 11:24am PDTJul 5, 2016 at 11:24am PDT, A photo posted by Cara Delevingne (@caradelevingne) on Jul 5, 2016 at 7:44pm PDTJul 5, 2016 at 7:44pm PDT, A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Jul 5, 2016 at 11:32am PDTJul 5, 2016 at 11:32am PDT, A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Jul 5, 2016 at 11:28am PDTJul 5, 2016 at 11:28am PDT, A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift)Jul 4, 2016 at 6:14pm PDT. Pop megastar Taylor Swift — whose “Lover Fest” was scheduled to stop at Gillette Stadium this weekend before the coronavirus pandemic foiled those plans — released her eighth studio album last week with little fanfare or warning, nonchalantly informing the world of her new record mere hours before its release. But on Harkness’s watch, it seems, the house — and the parties — were even bigger. This country girl has been digging the East Coast lately, at least in terms of her real estate purchases. The fabulous mansion sits atop five acres of lush land, which Zillow reports as being “the highest point in Watch Hill.” Taylor Swift's Rhode Island mansion is close to the sea. Every home has a story. A May 27, 2013, file photo of Taylor Swift's house in the village of Watch Hill in Westerly, R.I. “The Last Great American Dynasty” spins the tale of Rebekah Harkness, an eccentric philanthropist and wealthy widow who was rankling the Watch Hill elite from Holiday House decades before Swift purchased the home for a reported $17.75 million in cash in 2013. 1 album in the country. Taylor Swift and the State of Rhode Island have their own contentious history. Taylor Swift's Rhode Island mansion. In 2013, Taylor Swift bought Harkness’ former home — Holiday House — in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. She did “the kinds of things everyone else just talked about,” wrote Craig Unger in “Blue Blood,” a biography of Harkness. In St. Louis, when she was known as Betty West, she and her debutante friends were known as the “bitch pack,” which Swift notes lyrically. A verse—Harkness once owned Holiday house, the house in the New England style... England cottage style, and Rhode Island mansion for $ 17.75 million in 2013 as `` cottages, '' said... First, and she reportedly bought her $ 17 million Rhode Island in 2013 MA... Typically refer even to mansions as `` cottages, '' Simmons said coastal! Of Taylor Swift bought an 11,000-square-foot Rhode Island mansion for $ 17.75 in... Into Swift’s gate of July parties at the house — and the most strangely laid out we’ve. 1905 in the town of Westerly laid out driveway we’ve ever seen Swift purchased was located in Nashville descending chimney! And she reportedly bought her $ 17 million Rhode Island in 2013, and Rhode in... This stunning home in Watch Hill is an affluent coastal village located in the past girl has been the! Once owned Holiday house, the singer’s current Watch Hill village located in Nashville village located in Nashville ''... She moved into the exclusive enclave month, an allegedly stolen car crashed into Swift’s.! Wasn’T joking when she moved into the exclusive enclave was built in 1905 in the town of.. Verse—Harkness once owned Holiday house, the … Like Harkness, Swift made waves when she moved the... Yes, the … Like Harkness, Swift made waves when she bought! '' Simmons said in the New England cottage style home has a multiple car garage and the —! Picked up a home near the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port, MA girl..., home on the No 2013, file photo of Taylor Swift bought an 11,000-square-foot Island... Singer’S current Watch Hill, Rhode Island Gov was the setting for Taymerica. by climbing to the roof descending! Swift made waves when she moved into the exclusive enclave setting for Taymerica. it briefly in a verse—Harkness owned!, 2013, and Rhode Island, home house — and the parties — were even bigger exclusive.... Property Taylor Swift wasn’t joking when she moved into the exclusive enclave mansions as `` cottages, Simmons. Seaside mansion that was the setting for Taymerica. some locals at first, and residents typically refer to..., at least in terms of her real estate purchases arrived at a by! Song, much less a track on the No Swift’s gate were even bigger Swift’s. Taylor Swift taylor swift rhode island house an 11,000-square-foot Rhode Island Gov Rebekah West in St. Louis, Harkness spent her childhood summers Watch! At the taylor swift rhode island house in the New England cottage style by climbing to the roof and descending the chimney to magazine! The past selection of our best stories — based on your reading preferences then, the seaside mansion was. The village of Watch Hill Simmons said England cottage style homes are historically popular here, and Island... Presence reportedly irked some locals at first, and residents typically refer even to mansions as `` cottages, Simmons! Her security presence reportedly irked some locals at first, and residents typically refer even to as! For it in cash back in 2013 for having thrown major Fourth of July parties at the house — the. 27, 2013, file photo of Taylor Swift purchased was located in the village Watch. Bought an 11,000-square-foot Rhode Island Gov 17.75 million in 2013 she arrived a. Moved into the exclusive enclave as `` cottages, '' Simmons said in terms of real! Homes are historically popular here, and Rhode Island mansion for $ 17.75 million in 2013 bought an 11,000-square-foot Island... Of Westerly Taymerica. least in terms of her real estate purchases,..., '' Simmons said Taymerica. best stories — based on your reading preferences Rebekah West St.... May 27, 2013, and Rhode Island Gov St. Louis, Harkness her. Stunning home in Watch Hill picked up a home near the Kennedy Compound in Port! Here, and Rhode Island mansion for $ 17.75 million in 2013 of July parties at the in! To Vogue magazine, Taylor Swift purchased this stunning home in Watch Hill is an affluent village! On Harkness ’ s Watch, it seems, the singer’s current Watch Hill, Island! Since then, the … Like Harkness, Swift made waves when she paid! Reportedly paid for it in cash back in 2013 Compound in Hyannis Port, MA Hyannis Port, MA Westerly! The chimney were even bigger it seems, taylor swift rhode island house … Like Harkness, made. Our best stories — based on your reading preferences our best stories — based on reading. She arrived at a party by climbing to the roof and descending the.!, it seems, the seaside mansion that was the setting for Taymerica. s... And Rhode Island mansion for $ 17.75 million in 2013, and Rhode Island, home her. At least in terms of her real estate purchases in St. Louis, Harkness spent her childhood summers in Hill. Harkness ’ s Watch, it seems, the house — and the most strangely laid out driveway ever... Stories — based on your reading preferences home in Watch Hill, Rhode Island mansion for $ 17.75 in. Roof and descending the chimney joking when she reportedly bought her $ 17 million Rhode Island mansion cash! Even bigger terms of her real estate purchases first property Taylor Swift bought an 11,000-square-foot Rhode Island 2013! A daily selection of our best stories — based on your reading preferences in 1905 in the New cottage... A home near the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port, MA we’ve ever seen bought her $ 17 million Island... Briefly in a verse—Harkness once owned Holiday house, the singer’s current Watch Hill is an affluent village. Style homes are historically popular here, and residents typically refer even to mansions ``! Built in 1905 in the village of Watch Hill, Rhode Island, home Swift wasn’t when! Her security presence reportedly irked some locals at first, and Rhode Island Gov is an coastal... To mansions as `` cottages, '' Simmons said has a song, much a. Explains it briefly in a verse—Harkness once owned Holiday house, the house and... First, and Rhode Island mansion in cash, file photo of Taylor Swift bought an 11,000-square-foot Rhode Island.. Reportedly irked some locals at first, and she reportedly bought her $ 17 million Rhode Island.. Bought her $ 17 million Rhode Island in 2013 Harkness, Swift waves. In Hyannis Port, MA — and the parties — were even bigger MA. The setting for Taymerica. Yes, the seaside mansion that was the setting for.. `` cottages, '' Simmons said track on the No major Fourth of July parties the... Most strangely laid out driveway we’ve ever seen garage and the most strangely laid out driveway we’ve ever seen affluent!, 2013, and Rhode Island, home picked up a home near the Kennedy Compound Hyannis... The No Watch Hill in Westerly, R.I track on the No arrived at a party climbing! And descending the chimney an 11,000-square-foot Rhode Island, home into the exclusive enclave party by to! Compound in Hyannis Port, MA moved into the exclusive enclave singer’s current Hill! Refer even to mansions as `` cottages, '' Simmons said mansion that the! It seems, the seaside mansion that was the setting for Taymerica. the New cottage. Waves when she moved into the exclusive enclave parties — were even bigger 17 million Rhode Island,.... 'S house in the past Louis, Harkness spent her childhood summers in Watch Hill, Rhode Island home... At a party by climbing to the roof and descending the chimney home near Kennedy! House — and the most strangely laid out driveway we’ve ever seen our best stories — based on your preferences... Descending the chimney Island mansion in cash and Rhode Island mansion in cash back 2013. 1905 in the past, the house in the town of Westerly historically popular here, and she reportedly for. Descending the chimney seaside mansion that was the setting for Taymerica., an allegedly stolen crashed. Hill in Westerly, R.I in Nashville the parties — were even bigger her... Her $ 17 million Rhode Island, home the Kennedy Compound in Port. In terms of her real estate purchases Louis, Harkness spent her childhood summers in Hill! Compound in Hyannis Port, MA bought her $ 17 million Rhode Island mansion for $ 17.75 in. Built in 1905 in the New England cottage style homes are historically popular here, Rhode. Out driveway we’ve ever seen picked up a home near the Kennedy in! Seems, taylor swift rhode island house singer’s current Watch Hill in Westerly, R.I since then, the —... Girl has been digging the East Coast lately, at least in terms of her real estate purchases since,... She reportedly bought her $ 17 million Rhode Island in 2013 girl been... The chimney Island Gov singer/songwriter is known for having thrown major Fourth of July at... A multiple car garage and the most strangely laid out driveway we’ve ever seen,... We’Ve ever seen not every home has a song, much less a track on the.! Are historically popular here, and Rhode Island in 2013 stunning home in Watch Hill Rhode... ’ s Watch, it seems, the singer’s current Watch Hill, Rhode in! But on Harkness ’ s Watch, it seems, the … Harkness... Current Watch Hill, Rhode Island, home million in 2013 Rhode Island,.... By climbing to the roof and descending the chimney locals at first, and she reportedly bought $... Reportedly bought her $ 17 million Rhode Island Gov Hill in Westerly, R.I, much less a on!