Well, the celebrity rumors are true, as New York Yankees star Derek Jeter and actress, longtime girlfriend Minka Kelly plan to tie the knot right here on Long Island. Legendary Oheka Castle is rumored to be the site for the impending nuptials, a stunning and more importantly, private and secluded estate near Long Island's celebrated North Shore.
Catering to only one wedding at a time, this gorgeous Gatsby-era castle costs an astounding $10,000 just to book, on top of catering fees, room rentals, and any other wedding-necessary amenities. Beautiful formal gardens, complete with three fountains and straight, symmetrical pathways a la Versailles, provide a spectacular green setting for outdoor ceremonies, and the luxurious detail on the multi-million dollar building itself, including the appointments of the 32 guest rooms, are simply overwhelming.
The original owner and builder, financier Otto Hermann Kahn, planned for this French chateau-style house to rise above all others ... in a literal sense as well as figurative. Built on 443 acres on the highest point of Cold Spring Harbor (bordering Huntington), Long Island, the second-largest private residence in America cost today's equivalent of $110 million to erect.
After Kahn's death in 1934, the estate was used alternately as a retreat for New York Sanitation workers, a military academy, and a government training school for Merchant Marine radio operators. The Eastern Military Academy, the last owners before developer Gary Melius purchased the property, basically committed sacrilege to the beautiful estate, razing the grounds, knocking down walls to subdivide rooms, and later leaving it abandoned to be destroyed by vandals after they went bankrupt.
However, $30 million later, Melius' painstaking renovation, the most expensive in US history, has yielded what has once again become one of the most beautiful properties in America. Using the best architects, specialists, researchers, and professionals who were familiar with restoration and seeking out rare materials, Oheka Castle once again stands as it was meant to.
Oheka has been added to the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, an elite distinction. Its 115,000 square feet is available for private events and guided tours start at $25 for adults.
To schedule a tour, call 631-659-1400 or email tours@oheka.com.
The fee schedule is as follows:
Adult $25 per person
Senior 55+ $20 per person
Students (ID Required) $15 per person
Children (12 & Under) $5 per person
Groups (10+) $20 per person
Groups (20+) $15 per person
Behind the Scenes
Admission Fee + An Additional $15 per person
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