Since becoming a hub of American affluence in the 1920s, Long Island has attracted some of the richest, most successful individuals in the entire world. And really, with everything our area has to offer, who can blame them? The estates of these millionaires and billionaires have since become well-known Long Island mansions, each contributing to New York history in their own unique way.
A Guide to the Most Famous Long Island Mansions
Oheka Castle
Built in the 1910s, Otto Hermann Kahn, a philanthropist and financier, built Oheka Castle on the highest point on Long Island, which happens to be in Cold Spring Harbor. Today, it is the second largest private home in the United States.
With 127 rooms, this 109,000 square foot estate is home to an 18-hole golf course, one of the largest private greenhouse complexes in the U.S. and a French formal garden. In the ‘20s, Kahn threw extravagant parties that were attended by politicians, movie stars and royalty.
The History
After Kahn passed away, the home went through several owners and served several purposes, including a military school and later a retreat house. After a complete renovation following years of dormancy, Oheka became a hotel and conference center.
It is frequently used as a wedding venue for couples looking to capture that old-school, Gilded Age opulence. Taylor Swift even used the castle as the backdrop of her music video for the song, “Blank Space.”
Hempstead House
Sands Point’s Hempstead House was settled by Howard Gould, the son of railroad tycoon Jay Gould. As the main house of the manor, it has 40 rooms and takes up over 50,000 square feet of pristine coastline real estate.
With vaulted ceilings, a sunken palm court and a walnut-paneled library, this tudor-style home is the absolute epitome of Jazz Age lavishness. Initially, the entire property was meant to resemble the historic Kilkenny Castle, which is located in Kilkenny, Ireland.
Sands Point Preserve
Gould eventually sold the property to the Daniel Guggenheim family. After the elder Guggenheim died, his wife donated the home to the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences, who eventually sold it to the United States Navy.
Later on, the property was given to Nassau County. It has since been used to host events, tours and weddings. Now known as Sands Point Preserve, the estate has become a hub for Hollywood and was used as a setting in the show, “Gotham.”
Eagle’s Nest
The Vanderbilt family is one of the wealthiest, most influential families in American history. They have enormous properties throughout the world, but perhaps none are as magnificent as the Eagle’s Nest, built by William Kissam Vanderbilt II in Centerport.
The Museum
Following his late death, the Spanish Revival-style estate, which is quite rare outside of Spain, was donated to the county. It was converted into a huge museum as a way to showcase Vanderbilt’s extensive collection of marine, natural history and ethnographic artifacts.
The property is now used for a variety of reasons. It’s a museum, educational facility, wedding venue and it even has a planetarium. Plus, you won’t find better views of the sound at any of the other Long Island mansions.
Visit one of these fantastic Long Island mansions sometime soon and you’ll see just how amazing our area’s real estate can be!
