Demolition begins at Block Island’s Harborside Inn after fire

NEW SHOREHAM, R.I. — The jaws of an excavator crunched into the exterior of the historic Harborside Inn late Monday morning, beginning the demolition of one of Block Island’s most iconic hotels.

Vaux Finnemore, one of the inn’s co-owners, looked on while filming the first steps of demolition on her phone.

“Someone asked me if I was sad,” said Finnemore. “But I don’t really know how to feel.”

The inn, which first opened in 1879 as The Pequot House, was ravaged by a fire that began in the first-floor kitchen last month, and was deemed a “total loss” by the state fire marshal. No one was injured in the blaze.

It’s unclear how the fire started. Investigators are still working on their final report, James P. Given, the acting chief deputy of the State Fire Marshal’s office, told the Globe. Fire Marshal Timothy McLaughlin said while an arson dog inspected the property the week of Aug. 22, “there is no reason to think it was arson.”

The demolition of the building is expected to be completed by the end of September, leaving only the foundation, according to New Shoreham town clerk Millie McGinnes.

Connecticut-based construction company Manafort Brothers Inc. was hired to conduct the demolition.

Project manager Michael Daversa said while a demolition for a building of this size on the mainland would typically take about three to five days, demolishing the Harborside Inn could take a few weeks. Multiple ferry trips were needed to bring the required equipment to the island, which is located nine miles south of the coast of Rhode Island.

“My crew is out here full time now,” said Daversa, who said the crew will work 10-hour days. “It’s the only way to properly finish this project.”

Located on Water Street, the Harborside Inn was one of the first buildings the islander’s visitors saw when they stepped off of the ferry. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and has been welcoming visitors for more than a century as the Pequot House, the Waukesha, and the notorious Royal Hotel, which was rumored to be a brothel.

On Monday morning, crowds gathered around for the spectacle. “This is the biggest thing on the island this year,” said Amedeo Molfesi, who manages nearby Chapel Sweets as he stood outside the door of his shop, which faces the inn. He said he’s been visiting Block Island since 1959.

“This is a shame. I love the Harborside,” said Aldo Leone, the owner of Aldo’s Bakery, which opened in 1955.

Finnemore and her ex-husband, Michael Finnemore, said they plan on rebuilding the Inn. But it’s unclear when construction could begin.

Marty Milner, whose grandparents once owned the property and who has helped the Finnemores manage the property, said they were able to salvage some historic items from the inn, such as a call box that was located in the lobby that was able to communicate with all of the rooms.

“My grandparents are probably rolling over in their graves right now, looking at that building and knowing it has to come down,” Milner said in a recent interview. “That was their home.”