 THE
HISTORY OF OHEKA
Almost a century ago, financier and philanthropist Otto
Herman Kahn created a 443-acre estate. Its centerpiece,
Oheka, was a 126 room French Chateau that rose dramatically
from the highest point on Long Island's Gold Coast. At
the time of its construction Oheka was, and still is
today, the second largest private residence ever built
in America. When completed in 1921, it was described
by the New York Times as "the finest country estate
in America".
Oheka was used by
the Kahn family as
a summer home and the
site for lavish parties
and entertainment.
Royalty, Heads of State,
and Hollywood stars
were regular guests
of the Kahn's. A great
patron of the arts,
Kahn founded the Metropolitan
Opera and served as
its Chairman for over
25 years. Thus, it
was not unusual for
Enrico Caruso, Arturo
Toscannini, Helen Hayes
and George Gershwin
to attend Kahn's parties.
 Otto
Kahn died in 1934.
After his death the
Estate changed hands
several times. In 1984,
real estate developer,
Gary Melius purchased
the Estate and began
the challenge of restoring
Oheka to its original
glory. In Melius' quest,
Oheka has become the
largest residential
restoration in America.
In restoring Oheka
no detail has been
overlooked. Slate roof
tiles came from the
same Vermont quarry
where Kahn had purchased
the originals. Over
400 windows and doors
were replaced with
custom-made duplicates.
The handcrafted wrought
iron railing on the
grand staircase took
two years to be refinished.
Intent on preserving
the original design
and materials, Melius
brought in specialists
to restore the walls
with a process called
Faux Bois, plaster
painted to resemble
wood. On the exterior,
the gardens were completely
recreated using the
original drawings of
Frederick Law Olmstead,
the landscape architect
who designed New York's
Central Park. Today,
the 23 acres consists
of magnificent formal
gardens, eight reflecting
pools, walking paths
and spraying fountains.
If
you have ever dreamed
of celebrating a
special event; a
wedding, an elegant
dinner party, a sweet
sixteen, a Bar or
Bat Mitzvah, or perhaps
a holiday party in
an unforgettable
setting, then Oheka
Castle is the place
for you.
SERVICES OFFERED
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For
Those Who Dare
to Dream... Your
Castle Awaits.
Follow your dreams to find a jewel as perfect as
a diamond-OHEKA CASTLE. Let us create a day you
will cherish for a lifetime. |
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| For
the ultimate
in luxury and
comfort, accommodations
at Oheka Castle
complement the
magnificent 22
acre estate.
Continuing the
standard Otto
Kahn created
for his family
and friends,
you will enjoy
spacious rooms,
luxurious baths
and fine period
furnishings. |
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| The
Pastry Shop at
Oheka produces
an infinite variety
of high quality
baked goods. European
and traditional
style pastries,
muffins, scones,
cookies, pies,
tarts, cobblers,
croissants and
brioche are homemade
by Executive Pastry
Chef Daniel Andreotti. |
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