The 1831 Aquidneck Mill Building
In 1996, following three years of planning and construction, IYRS completed the rehabilitation of one of its two historic campus buildings: the 1903 electric generating plant that now serves as the school's main teaching facility. Adjacent to this extraordinary brick structure stands the 1831 Aquidneck mill building, a monument to America's great industrial and maritime past. The mill, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of only two remaining structures of its kind on the Newport waterfront and is constructed of native green slate and brick encasing a traditional post and beam interior.
Now, in a matter of months, the mill will come alive with more programming space for the school, a maritime 
research library, and 15,000 square feet of commercial office space dedicated to marine trades. Already, important enterprises have committed to space, including Sparkman & Stephens, Boothbay Harbor Shipyard, The Confident Captain, yacht designers, boat builders, yacht management firms, and others. By early 2009, the 2.5 acre waterfront campus will be a unique, world-class destination in the heart of Newport and New England for marine education, enterprise, and on-water activity. The Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation has tagged the school and mill restoration as a cornerstone to the State’s commitment to the marine trades. Some of the Class “A” office space remains and is available for occupancy February 1, 2009. The following are details:
Location
International Yacht Restoration School
458 Thames Street
Newport, RI 02840
Aquidneck Island
401-848-5777, ext 211
Background
The Aquidneck mill building is located on a 2.5 acre in-town campus on Newport’s historic waterfront. The native stone and brick structure was originally built in 1831 and used as a textile mill. 
It is adjacent to another historic brick building that was erected in 1903; this 18,000 sq ft building is fully occupied and functions as a school that offers a world-renowned program in yacht restoration and boat building. The campus includes a large parking area, a small operating marina, and is located near the heart of Newport’s tourism destinations and the State’s marine trades.
The campus is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes from Boston, 35 minutes from Providence, and 3 hours from New York City. It is a hub of maritime-related activity, including its marina which is a magnet for classic power and sailing yachts.
Specifications
Type of building: office
Building class: A
Year built: 1831; Year restored: 2008
Total space available for lease: 15,000 sq. ft.
Total building space: 28,000 sq. ft.
Total number of floors: 4
Minimum divisible: 500 sq. ft.
Maximum contiguous: 1600 sq ft and 2600 sq. ft.
Space synopsis: 15 over 15 historic replica windows; loft-style space; wood doors; some harbor views; parking; separate zoned HVAC; telco and data to the walls; elevator
Date available: January/February, 2009
Rate: $20 sq. ft., triple net
For more information, contact Terry Nathan at tnathan@iyrs.org, or 401-848-5777, ext. 211.
Read an article on the mill's history by architectural historian Dr. Catherine Zipf and an article on the restoration by John Grosvenor of Newport Collaborative Architects.