The castle's parties were so famous that they allegedly inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, which features opulent ftes at a lavish estate. It was Melius call to former Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Dale requesting Randy White, a Roosevelt resident, be charged with perjury in an election lawsuit that made headlines last Decemberresulting in Whites arrest and Dales resignation following a Nassau County District Attorney probe that ultimately cleared the developer, Dale and Mangano of criminality, but infuriated Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs for giving the Mangano administration a pass. "I not only don't know -- I can't think of why anybody who would kill me," Melius said. Still, Oheka Castle remains an impressive sight. Melius political dealings have also resulted in some controversy. Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius (right) with his son, Thomas. It was the largest private residence in the U.S., second only to the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. Ive had my differences with Gary politically but this is really just a tremendously awful act I hope that he does well and pulls through this. [7] Ten years later, following a lawsuit, the building passed to one of Yokoi's daughters and her husband. We spent dusk til dawn filming at Oheka Castle. In recent weeks, Melius spoke with law enforcement authorities investigating political corruption, the source said. In 1939, the family sold the sprawling property to the Welfare Fund of the Sanitation Workers and Oheka Castle became a retirement home for the sanitation workers of New York City. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (KEVIN P. COUGHLIN/Kevin P. Coughlin/Flying Dog Pho), Frank Mackay, chairman of Suffolk's Independence Party, called the shooting "gutless.". Last year, he was at the heart of a political scandal that led to the resignation of Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Dale. Surveillance video of the attempted murder of Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius shows two cars without license plates driving into his parking lot moments before a hooded, masked gunman started firing at him, Newsday reported Thursday. "I have never thought five minutes about it, I have not had five minutes of fear," Melius said. Tennis courts, stables, orchards, a landing strip, and a large private greenhouse were also on the property. Originally a 127-room "house," Oheka Castle is now a 32-bedroom hotel. Cops believe the black sedan was the lookout car, Newsday's sources said. The construction of Oheka Castle began in 1917 and was completed two years later. (Paul Prince/AP). Perhaps Fitzgerald might have described these nostalgic revelers with this fitting passage from Gatsby "boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.". Police found two full rounds at the scene, Newsday said. There is plenty to do during your visit to Long Island. "But I cannot imagine this would have anything to do with political disputes. As a family-owned business it is my personal goal to ensure that everyone who enters the gates of OHEKA feels like a welcome guest, whether you are attending a wedding, staying in one of our guest rooms, joining us for dinner, or going on an Historic Mansion Tour. By 2003 he was its rightful owner again, having bought it back for $30 million and spending almost an equal amount over the years on its upkeep and restoration. Oheka Castle was bought up in 1984 by developer Gary Melius who purchased the destroyed property and its remaining 23-acre plot for $1.5 million. ", Oheka serves as a stand-in for a French mansion in Season 3 of the Hulu TV series, Oheka was used as the setting for a castle in, Oheka was used as the setting for the "Mr. Julius Caesar" rematch in the film, The castle was featured in Season 2 Episode 4 of the Hulu show, The castle was used as the setting for the, The castle was featured in the music video for, This page was last edited on 28 March 2023, at 14:12. Melius, who was born in Jackson Heights, Queens, has long been involved with the Democratic, Republican and Independence parties, contributing more than $800,000 total to the three parties since 1999, according to state records. It reportedly led to a secret chamber known as Kahn's secretary office. A view of Oheka Castle from afar. On Feb. 24 of last year, a masked gunman drove up to the renowned catering hall and opened fire. It is a popular wedding venue for socialites, celebrities, and dignitaries, as well as the backdrop to many photo shoots, television series and films. Everyone thought I was crazy to purchase the dilapidated estate but I saw the potential and also recognized the importance of OHEKA and its historic significance to America and the Gold Coast of Long Island. Suffolk County Police declined to comment on the video surveillance Thursday. And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts: Thirty-four miles outside of bustling New York City stands the luxurious Oheka Castle, a century-old mansion that was once the second-largest private residence in the United States. And if there were a pressing problem requiring immediate attention, hed be the first one to be hands-on, as youd expect from a guy who once was a plumber, long before he became the king of the castle. "It was not a robbery," D'Amato told Newsday after leaving his pal's hospital room, where cops were posted outside. He told them he has no idea who tried to kill him, and there are no known witnesses. The owner of a prominent wedding venue on Long Island where celebrities and dignitaries have held their lavish nuptials was shot in the head at the sprawling mansion Monday. . Thank God!. Oheka is the second largest private residence in America with 109,000 square feet. Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota after visiting shooting victim and Oheka Castle Owner Gary Melius at North Shore University Hospital on Wednesday. Melius may be the proprietor of one of Long Islands glitziest estates from the Gold Coast era, but in dress and demeanor he always strikes a very down-to-Earth pose as befits his roots as a kid from Queens. Oheka Castle owner recovering after murder attempt By abc7NY Tuesday, February 25, 2014 HUNTINGTON, New York Investigators say the gunman wore a black mask and ambushed 69-year old Gary Melius. Oheka Castle was bought up in 1984 by developer Gary Melius who purchased the destroyed property and its remaining 23-acre plot for $1.5 million. [3] He was determined to build a fireproof building, so he had his architects, Delano and Aldrich, design it in steel and concrete, making it one of the first totally fireproof residential buildings. Pathway to power: Gary Melius' rise through Long Island's cozy political system. Shock spread among guests at the hotel and banquet hall after the shooting Monday. Today, Oheka Castle is a luxury hotel located at the highest point of Long Island. The Gold Coast estate routinely hosts celebrity events, including a May 2012 benefit for pop star Debbie Gibson's charitable foundation. "I don't know if you ever can ever get your reputation back," Melius said. / CBS/AP. But the owner of the mansion, Gary Melius, lived through a much darker experience there. It was completed in 1919 for financier Otto Kahn and then restored by Melius as a luxury hotel, catering hall, and conference center. Owner Gary Melius has spoken of plans to add more renovations and upgrades to Oheka Castle which would cost another $20 million. Now that you've learned about the multimillion-dollar Oheka Castle in Long Island, go inside nine abandoned castles that are now haunting shells of their former glory. MacKidNPascack/TwitterThe castle was allegedly the inspiration behind the 1925 novel The Great Gatsby. / CBS New York. Police stand in front of Oheka castle on Long Island after the owner Gary Melius was shot on the premises. Melius, whod worked as a bowling alley pin setter and a plumbers helper before striking it rich in real estate, acquired the property in 1984 for $1.5 million and reportedly contemplated tearing it down because vandals had had the run of the place for several years. If this near- death experience has done anything it is a reminder to live each day, celebrate life and embrace your family. He stuck with it but the costs of renovation were steep, and so in 1988 he sold Oheka to a Japanese businessman for $22 million. Find company research, competitor information, contact details & financial data for SYNPSH of CROIX, HAUTS DE FRANCE. The property later became Oheka Castle. I think hes going to make it! he told the Press when he was reached. Then, to build his dream home, Kahn would spend a total of $11 million roughly $158 million in today's currency. Castle owner Melius survived the shooting by a masked gunman in the . After the shooting, Rosenberg says, he managed to stagger back to the castle and call for help. All Rights Reserved. One law enforcement official told Newsday last year that, "simply put, there are so many suspects." That's the bullet investigators say hit the 69-year-old in the head, sources told Newsday. It became known as Oheka Castle, an acronym taken from his full name. Chief investigative reporter Jonathan Dienst on crime, corruption and terrorism. Topics you care about, straight to your inbox. "They have not one thing to physically connect him to this. bucketlistli/TwitterOheka Castle's construction began in 1917 and was completed two years later. Gary Melius shooting still shrouded in mystery 4 years later. OHEKA CASTLE | Reception Venues - The Knot Modern Minimalist by Vera Wang Beloved Floral - Red Elegant Glow - Blue Woodbury Wedding Venues OHEKA CASTLE 4.8 ( 32) 135 West Gate Drive, Serving NYC and LI, NY Call About This Vendor A Royal Estate of Affairs After surgery, he was alert and chatty in visits with family, friends and political bigwigs at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. "We don't have a motive at this point. 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. What is permanently damaged is his reputation, after what he called a character assassination in the press that hurt more than the shooting. The owner, who also lives there, was shot by an unknown assailant Monday. David Winzelberg // January 15, 2019. MacKay described Melius as alert and even joking on the phone after the shooting, and said "he's the toughest man I've ever met.". "We've had our differences in the political realm," he said. Oheka Castle, which is also a hotel offering $1,095-a-night suites, says on its website that it can accommodate up to 1,000 wedding guests. Gary Melius criticizes the former district attorney for not releasing the video immediately, says Peddie. the gunman fired a shot into his driver's side window. DAmato told reporters gathered at the hospital that the shooting was an assassination attempt. Otto Kahn bought the land for $1 million $158 million in today's currency. Bleeding profusely, Melius stumbled back toward the castle. The historic Oheka Castle in Huntington is brimming with stories that would fill any bride's fantasies. Last year, Melius was part of a controversy that resulted in the ouster of then-Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Dale over the arrest of a witness in an election lawsuit. These days, Oheka Castle hosts daily tours of its gorgeous property. . Gary Melius, the owner of Oheka Castle in Long Island, was shot Monday by a masked gunman, police said. In 1948, Eastern Military Academy purchased the castle and 23 acres (9.3ha) of its property, bulldozed the gardens and subdivided the rooms. It began with hauling out 300 trailer trucks worth of trash over the first six months of repairs. At the power lunches hed host in the mahogany-paneled dining room with an assortment of Long Island luminaries and wanna-beslike New York Giants football stars showing off their heavy Super Bowl rings to enterprising businesswomen showing off their dcolletageMelius would not put on airs or adopt an attitude. Melius has clearly gambled his life on Oheka Castle. The kickback must have caused the weapon to jam, because the shooter was seen on the video trying to fix the gun, Newsday reported. Everyone from highly-esteemed diplomats to famous film stars attended the lavish events. Late 19th and Early 20th Century American Movements, Oheka served as partial inspiration for Gatsby's estate in, It served as the mansion "Shadow Pond" in the television show, Oheka was the set of the fictional Avalon Castle in the 2010, It was the location of a charity event in the television show, The castle was the primary filming location of the music video for, The castle was also used in the music video "Cookie" by recording artist, The castle appeared briefly as the location of an economic summit in the 19th episode of the first season of American political drama, The castle was featured on Travel Channel's "Mega Mansions" that also streams on Netflix. Mevorach asked. But no one has been able to answer who shot Gary Melius. On Tuesday, Melius released a video to the media announcing the reward and thanking the Suffolk County Police Department for its work. Once Melius was in stable condition, a whos-who of local politics have been visiting him in the hospital in a show of supportDAmato, of course, plus former Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwick, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, among others. One person of interest early on in the investigation was his son, Thomas Melius -- a young man with a troubled past. The owner of Oheka Castle, Gary Melius, was gunned down in his car, authorities said, by a suspect who may have been wearing a mask. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. It was finally abandoned in 1980 and stood forgotten for years. During World War II, Oheka Castle was converted into a radio operator's school for the Merchant Marines then occupied by the Eastern Military Academy. He holds an M.S. In August, Melius negotiated a modification of Oheka's $27.9-million mortgage loan and got a five-year extension, Newsday reported, citing Trepp, a Manhattan-based company that tracks commercial mortgages. Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota after visiting shooting victim and Oheka Castle Owner Gary Melius at North Shore University Hospital on Wednesday. When I first saw OHEKA back in 1984, even in its devastated state, I fell in love. The 69-year-old went into shock immediately after he was shot and his recollection of the shooting are hazy, police say. Oheka Castle's splendor was immediately visible upon entrance. Visitors can tour other Historic Gold Coast Mansions, such as the Vanderbilt Museum, Old Westbury Gardens, Mill Neck Manor, and Coe Hall, which collectively were the inspiration for the classic novel, "The Great Gatsby"; relax on one of Long Island's beautiful sandy beaches; enjoy a classical music concert by the LI Philharmonic at the Tilles Center; or indulge in a wine tasting in Long Island's Wine Country on the North Fork. A lone masked shooter blasted through the car window and struck the 69-year-old in the head before speeding away, reportedly in a Jeep Cherokee. Oheka Castle, also known as the Otto Kahn Estate, is a hotel located on the North Shore of Long Island, in West Hills, New York, also known as the "Gold Coast," a hamlet in the town of Huntington. The famous Gatsby mansion has also hosted 1920s-style parties, where the wealthy once again sip champagne while dressed in period-garb. The district attorney found that Dale had instructed officers to arrest a 29-year-old Roosevelt man, who had testified in an unrelated case that he had been paid to collect signatures for a third-party candidate. The owner, who also lives there, was shot by an unknown assailant Monday. In its time as a private residence, it was the site of the kind of lavish parties which inspired the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel The Great Gatsby and continues to offer that same experience. Several years after Kahn's death in 1934, the estate was sold. (Paul Prince) The high-rolling target of a botched hit outside his Long Island. Melius's friends are just amazed at his resilience. If you look closely, the estate is peppered with the symbol of the Linden tree. (Paul Prince) Spota exited about an hour after his 11 a.m. arrival to see Melius, a poker buddy. First published on February 24, 2015 / 7:08 PM. It's believed that during this time Oheka Castle provided inspiration for F. Scott Fitzgerald's famed novel The Great Gatsby which depicts opulent parties at an estate very similar to Kahn's summer home. (Bobby Bank/WireImage). HUNTINGTON, N.Y. - The politically connected owner of a storied mansion-turned-wedding palace who survived being shot in the head by a masked assailant earlier this year says his son was being investigated as a person of interest in the shooting, according to Newsday. It's especially popular as a wedding venue and a filming location for a number of movies and TV shows including the hit HBO series Succession. The cold-blooded shooter aimed several times at the wounded Melius and pulled the trigger, according to Newsday's sources. It's nothing but a miracle.". The property was also the site of Kahn's daughter's wedding, which became the first of many wedding ceremonies hosted at Oheka Castle. a masked gunman drove up to the renowned catering hall and opened fire. As CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported, Melius had raised the stakes for solving the crime a year after he was wounded. The shooting was captured on surveillance video, which has not been released. The 70-year-old developer and major political donor. In 1984, Oheka was purchased by Gary Melius, a Long Island developer. "First place they look is my family so it was a tough thing to get used to," Melius said. Oheka Castle is said to be the inspiration behind Scott F. Fitzgerald's 1925 book. The shooter fled and has not been captured. (Veronique Louis for New York Daily News). Deborah Bryggman works at the mansion as a tour guide. Former President Bill Clinton officiated the wedding of Anthony Weiner, ex- congressman and mayoral candidate, at the castle in 2010. Melius bought Oheka Castle in 1984 and soon began restoring it. Oheka Castle has become a popular location to shoot TV shows and movies. in Journalism with a specialization in investigative journalism from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and was an inaugural member of the schools Toni Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism. Restoration efforts to restore Oheka Castle to its former glory and upgrade amenities cost $37 million over 20 years. Was it a former business partner or rival? Melius was hospitalized for more than week. Details of the tapestry and chandeliers that adorn the inside of the estate. All rights reserved, Muslim Mayor From New Jersey Blocked From White House Eid Celebration, Man Charged With Murder in 31-Year-Old Cold Case Killing Of Queens Teen: DA, Met Gala 2023: Start Time, Theme, Guests & Everything Else to Know, Construction May Make Getting to JFK Airport a Nightmare for 3 Years: What to Know, 25-Year-Old Makes $200/Hour Without a Bachelor's Degree: I Work Less Than 6 Hours a Day'. Frank MacKay, a friend of Melius, told NBC 4 New York that Melius was sitting in his car when a man appeared outside and opened fire on him through the glass window. It is a nod to Kahn's hometown in Germany. The financier had created the 109,000-square-foot manor in 1919. It is now a popular wedding venue. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. In shock," she said. Newsday will include its entire Melius investigation in Sunday's print edition. Melius was hospitalized for more than week, Police have had little to go on in the case, a Jeep Cherokee spotted driving away from the scene. Later he was transferred to North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System in Manhasset, where Melius underwent surgery for what police described as a penetrating head wound.. What is The Best Tex-Mex Restaurant on Long Island? [1] It is a member of Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In addition to weddings, the castle hosts fundraisers, galas and numerous other high-profile events.
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