Harborside Inn groundbreaking marks rebuild of Block Island hotel

NEW SHOREHAM, R.I. — Construction is officially moving forward on the historic Harborside Inn nearly three years after a devastating fire destroyed the longtime waterfront landmark on Block Island.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Friday, marking the start of rebuilding efforts at the site where the original hotel stood since the late 1800s.

The Harborside Inn was destroyed during a massive fire in August 2023 that prompted a state of emergency and brought firefighters from across Rhode Island to the island by ferry. Investigators later determined the fire began in the kitchen hood area and said the building’s fire suppression system failed to activate.

Developers said the new hotel is expected to include 32 rooms and roughly 22,000 square feet of space while maintaining a design intended to fit Block Island’s historic waterfront character.

For many longtime employees and residents, the rebuilding project represents a major step forward after years of seeing the property sit vacant following the fire.

Officials are currently targeting a reopening sometime next summer, though construction timelines could still change as work continues.

Harborside Inn has long been considered one of Block Island’s most recognizable waterfront hotels. Originally known as The Pequot House, the property later operated as The Royal Hotel before eventually becoming the Harborside Inn in the 1990s. Located near the Old Harbor ferry docks, the historic hotel welcomed generations of summer visitors and became a longtime fixture of the island’s tourism industry. The building was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, reflecting its historic significance and longstanding presence on Block Island.