The Muechinger-King Building at 38 Bellevue

The Muenchinger-King Building, a structure with a storied past like many in Newport, has undergone numerous transformations since its inception. Originally built in 1837, the edifice was commissioned by Hugh Swinton Ball, a plantation owner from South Carolina. During that era, it was common for southern landowners to seek refuge in Newport to escape the sweltering conditions of southern port cities like Charleston and Savannah, which had long-standing trade ties with Newport. Tragically, Ball perished in a steamboat blaze the same year the building was completed.

In 1838, the property caught the eye of Dr. David King, the inaugural president of the Newport Historical Society. During his tenure as owner, he expanded the building, employing the architectural talents of Dudley Newton, whose office was conveniently located just across the street. Before 1893, as per historical documents, Dr. King willed the property to his sister, Sarah Gibbs King. She subsequently sold it to Gustave and Amanda Muechinger in 1903, who transformed it into an upscale hotel. The edifice then took on the name Muenchinger-King Building, a moniker it still bears today. Currently, the building serves a dual purpose, housing commercial enterprises on the ground floor and residential condos above.