Three Battle in the Courts Over “Providence’s Last Great Estate”
GoLocalProv News Team and Josh Fenton
Three Battle in the Courts Over “Providence’s Last Great Estate”
In May of 2021, Providence’s last great estate, The William E. and Clara A. Bridgham Estate, went on the market.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn recent years, two of Providence's multi-acre estates have been purchased and carved up into smaller lots, but this estate has remained pristine. It sits behind a mammoth wall on the corner of Blackstone Boulevard and Rochambeau Avenue.
The seller of this so-called "last great estate" was scientist Newton Howard. He is considered a bit of an enigma. Business Insider called him a billionaire. Forbes never did. He is not a billionaire.
Howard is a scientist's scientist. His CV is 13 pages long and features, among other things, his 30 U.S. and seven international patents. One of his U.S. patents is titled "Device for monitoring activities of daily living and physiological parameters to determine a condition and diagnosis of the human brain and body.”
Ultimately, the home was sold at an auction and purchased by developer Dustin Dezube.
Dezube, a doctor by training, has become one of Providence’s high-profile developers. He has proposed projects in Fox Point, College Hill, and Mount Hope that drew strong opposition from neighbors. He abandoned some of those projects (Mount Hope), and in College Hill, he revamped his proposal for the Goddard Estate.
But Dezube and Howard entered into a legal battle over the sale of the Bridgham Estate — and then there was an additional curveball.
During the legal battle, Howard rented the property to Johannes Flo, a man with a global reputation.
Flo, a Norwegian national, was the subject of a major expose by the Norwegian publication VG — which is owned by the global media company Schibsted Media Group — an international media group with 8,000 employees across 22 countries.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Flo runs the Bard Group, LLC and the bio states, “Johannes Floe is a business leader and founder of The Bard Group Holdings LLC, known for his unmatched ability to turn vision into value. With a background in operations, finance, and sustainability, Johannes has built a company platform that fosters growth, stability, and strategic advantage.”
Flo had resettled in Newport about a decade ago or so.
In 2018, GoLocalProv requested to interview Flo, which sparked legal threats and a cease-and-desist letter from Flo’s lawyers.
Lawyers for Flo claim that the VG article is false and are seeking to block GoLocal from republishing any elements of the claims made in the VG article.
Flo has faced legal battles here in Rhode Island.
Getting Closer
After years of legal battling between Howard and Dezube, the two settled their fight, and the property is poised to sell for about $4.2 million.
But, Flo has tried to block the sale claiming he entered into a separate agreement with Howard to buy the property.
Dezube said in a phone interview with GoLocal on Friday that Flo has done everything possible to try and block the sale.
“They've just, whatever they can say and do, they've done it, right, without any regards to law or facts and, you know. No, I get it. I've watched him for a period of time, so I totally understand,” said Dezube of Flo’s legal actions.
Flo’s attorney, Chris Mulhearn, in an interview with GoLocal said, “Well, his claim is two-fold. Number one, he's made a claim that he did in fact — although the court has disagreed up to this week, so we did file an appeal on it — he validly executed and exercised a purchase option."
Mulhearn added that after Dezube bought it in the auction, Flo entered into an agreement with Howard Newton. “And, you know, the allegation, among other things, is that Howard misled him,” said Mulhearn.
“Secondly, there has been no eviction action that has been maintained against him. Every time they've tried to bring one, we've been able to kind of defeat it and throw it away. So he's still a tenant, and he's paying rent. He is current,” said Mulhearn.
The future of the last great estate continues to make its way through the courts.
From the moment the gates open to this incredible, fully enclosed Providence estate, you are swept away and instantly feel as though you have entered the grounds of a fairytale.
Gorgeous tall pines line the driveway as you are ushered into this beautifully landscaped last piece of East Side paradise. Instantly, you feel as if you have just arrived on vacation with its stunning architecture, incomparable European flair, and beautifully manicured park-like setting.
The house went through an extensive renovation in 2006. It is truly the last property on the East Side with an abundance of living space, and offers nearly three acres of land, setting the stage for private gatherings, events, entertaining, and more. The possibilities are endless.
With today’s demand for live and workspace, this property provides well beyond what could be possible. Two separate driveway entrances allow for both formal and informal use. This property consists of a 9,200 square ft main house, a separate updated 1,970 square foot carriage house with greenhouse, and a wonderful European potting shed.
The main house has four bedrooms four full and two half bathrooms, a grand formal entrance, a great room with a majestic stone fireplace, an oversized dining room, eat-in kitchen with entertainment area, and a large mudroom. The electrical is updated with a 400 amp underground electrical service, 3 zones of air-conditioning, American Standard condensing units, and furnaces.
Step beyond the grand dining room of the main house, into an incredible indoor atrium, added in 1937, which provides for another delightful protected outdoor space for lounging, working, relaxing, or entertaining.
From there you enter into one of the most incredible, and rare, architectural spaces ever to exist on an East Side property, which could be used to hold private and public events. Originally built as a ballroom, it also could serve as an incredible art gallery and/or music hall with its small stage & majestic balcony overlooking the room.
Across the driveway is a spacious, and beautifully remodeled, carriage house, serving as a beautiful workspace, or in-law apartment. It is fully equipped with a full kitchen, two bathrooms, gleaming hardwood floors, modern architecture, light, and plenty of additional living space overlooking this gorgeous property.
