Details of the tapestry and chandeliers that adorn the inside of the estate. Gary Melius, the owner of Oheka Castle in Long Island, was shot Monday by a masked gunman, police said. 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. 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. (Bobby Bank/WireImage). A family member? Gary Melius has hosted several celebrity events at his castle, including Debbie Gibson's 2nd annual Gibson Girl Foundation Benefit on May 21, 2012. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW. So when he began work on his next palatial dream home, he had his architects design a fire-proof home build entirely of steel and concrete. It is a nod to Kahn's hometown in Germany. Devils shutout rival Rangers in Game 7 for 1st series win since 2012, Manhattan subway argument turns deadly: NYPD, Canadian folk singer Gordon Lightfoot dies at age 84, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. (Christie M. Farriella for New York Daily News). The whole thing is awful, Jacobs told the Press shortly after the shooting. It was the country home of investment financier and philanthropist Otto Hermann Kahn and his family. Its original 443-acre plot has shrunk to 23 acres over the last century. Views of the garden from the hotel's restaurant. It has been used to film popular shows like. The Cold Spring golf course and the property surrounding it that was. What is known, is that the king and his castle will never be the same. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. "It leaves me under a cloud that, 'Why did this guy get shot?'". HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The victim of an assassination attempt on Long Island spoke out Tuesday, a year after he was shot in front of the historic mansion he owns. 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. 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. Gary Melius has hosted several celebrity events at his castle, including Debbie Gibson's 2nd annual Gibson Girl Foundation Benefit on May 21, 2012. Authorities on Thursday released surveillance video showing the man who shot the owner of Long Island's . Melius remains concerned for his welfare and that of his family, telling investigators he has no idea who is behind the hit. I think hes going to make it! he told the Press when he was reached. I look forward to getting back to work. Gary Melius, a well-known Long Island developer and prominent political patron, was shot in the head by a masked gunman on Monday in the parking lot of his opulent Gold Coast estate . What is permanently damaged is his reputation, after what he called a character assassination in the press that hurt more than the shooting. Everyone from highly-esteemed diplomats to famous film stars attended the lavish events. It was the largest private residence in the U.S., second only to the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. 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. The property cost owner Otto Hermann Kahn a total of $11 million. Inside the "house" were 127 rooms, a grand library housing a secret passageway behind one of the bookcases, and 39 working fireplaces. document.write(new Date().getFullYear());. Dare to Enter Long Island Haunted Houses "He said he had evidence of witness tampering and other crimes," the source said. Not one phone call, not anything," Gary Melius said, according to the paper. 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. 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. It reportedly led to a secret chamber known as Kahn's secretary office. In shock," she said. Melius once was nearly $6 million in debt, according to the Daily News, and owed the Trump Taj Mahal some $100,000 in 1992. The FBI has also offered assistance, an agency spokesperson tells the Press. Dive into this mega-mansion's history and find out what makes it so special. "It was a cowardly act, whoever hired these guys," he said. Investigators say the gunman wore a black mask and ambushed 69-year old Gary Melius while he was getting into his car in the parking lot of the mansion's lavish grounds at about 12:30 p.m. Police say Melius was fortunate to survive the shooting, with the bullet entering his head just above his right eyebrow, travelling under the skin, outside the skull, and entering near his right ear. Oheka Castle owner recovering after murder attempt Bleeding profusely, Melius stumbled back toward the castle. Gary Melius shooting still shrouded in mystery 4 years later During World War II, Oheka Castle became a radio operator's school for the Merchant Marines. Visitors were greeted by a long driveway lined with manicured red cedar trees that led you into the property. Other features of the 443-acre (179ha) complex included an 18-hole golf course designed by golf architect Seth Raynor, one of the largest private greenhouse complexes in America, tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool, a landing strip, orchards, and stables. Now, Oheka Castle is once again among the most famous estates in all of Long Island. The school occupied the house until it closed in 1979. He holds an M.S. He was rushed by a family member to nearby Syosset Hospital and was said to be alert and conscious after being transferred to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. (Veronique Louis for New York Daily News). Stepson of Oheka Castle Owner Questioned in Shooting: Sources Police initially believed Melius was shot was he tried to climb into his car and got a lucky break when two bullets missed. Then, to build his dream home, Kahn would spend a total of $11 million roughly $158 million in today's currency. This is shocking and sickening, he added. "There is a reward for $100,000 leading to the arrest and conviction," Melius said. Ron Rosenberg, Melius's close friend and lawyer, is reeling not just at the crime, but also at the fact the his friend is already awake and talking in the hospital and expected to make a full recovery. The owner, who also lives there, was shot by an unknown assailant Monday. Who shot Melius and why? Suffolk County police would not comment on the status of the investigation Tuesday, but they did say there is no harm in Melius having his own tip line. Melius offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Suffolk County Detective Sgt. Throughout the years Melius has been impartial in his campaign contributions, doling out hundreds of thousands of dollars to politicians without party preference, according to state finance records. Investigators will review surveillance footage. Tennis courts, stables, orchards, a landing strip, and a large private greenhouse were also on the property. It was finally abandoned in 1980 and stood forgotten for years. Melius was hospitalized and was in stable condition at North Shore University Hospital. Get the latest business insights from Dun & Bradstreet. ", Oheka Castle is one of Long Island's most exclusive hotels, located in Huntington, N.Y. Gary Melius exited a side door of his palatial mansion estate and entered his Mercedes-Benz parked in its back courtyard. 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. A family member drove Melius to the hospital, where he underwent surgery for a bullet wound to his forehead. State Supreme . Gary Melius, the owner of Suffolk County's Oheka Castle who was shot in the head in February, has released his first comments on the incident in a video statement. Pathway to power: Gary Melius' rise through Long Island's cozy political system. It is now a popular wedding venue. In an exclusive interview Tuesday with WINS, Melius said he is doing "fine" physically and addresses questions about the shooting and the investigation. He sold it a few years later, then regained ownership in 2003. At the palatial residence Tuesday, Melius told Gusoff he has not lost faith in police, but hopes for new leads. 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. The who's who of high-society, international politicians, and, of course, famous Hollywood movie stars were regularly spotted at the residence. The shooting was captured on surveillance video, which has not been released. / CBS/AP. SYNPSH Company Profile | CROIX, HAUTS DE FRANCE, France | Competitors Two years were spent building an artificial hill on which to place the home, giving it views of Cold Spring Hills and Cold Spring Harbor.[4]. Twarowski has written for the financial and metro desks of The Washington Post and has earned more than 100 local, state and national journalism awards and accolades. According to Newsday, Suffolk Deputy Chief Kevin Fallon said the sources' account cited by the paper was incorrect. After surgery, he was alert and chatty in visits with family, friends and political bigwigs at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. Then, 222 new windows and doors were purchased to reseal the property as well as 4,000 new roof slates to fix the damaged roof. "You know, I wasn't really in favor of doing this, felt the police do their job like everybody else," Melius said. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. [1] It is a member of Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In 1914, he purchased 443 acres of land in Cold Spring Harbor, which is the highest point in Long Island, for a cool $1 million. He renovated the building and grounds to the tune of $30 million. 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. It is a popular venue for weddings, parties, and serves as a frequent backdrop for music videos, such as Taylor Swift's "Blank Space," and TV shows like Gossip Girl, Succession, Madam Secretary, and The Americans. from the school with a concentration in business and economics. Suffolk County Police declined to comment on the video surveillance Thursday. Christopher Twarowski is editor in chief of the Long Island Press and its chief of investigations. Melius said he has recovered from his injuries. At Melius' insistence, Dale directed cops to arrest a key witness in a case connected to the county executive race. The construction of Oheka Castle began in 1917 and was completed two years later. Find company research, competitor information, contact details & financial data for SYNPSH of CROIX, HAUTS DE FRANCE. Fish contaminated with "forever chemicals" found in nearly every state, CBS News Poll: How GOP primary race could be Trump v. 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The grounds also featured a beautiful grand lawn with a reflective pool and fountains interwoven into its design as well as an 18-hole golf course. Did a Long Island wedding lead to an attempted murder in Florida? Gary Melius | New York Post A view of Oheka Castle from afar. Oheka Castle Owner Says Shooting That Wounded Him Remains Mystery One The 70-year-old developer and major political donor was getting into his Mercedes Benz in the estate's parking lot when the gunman fired a shot into his driver's side window. 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.. An investigation by the Nassau County district attorney found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing but raised questions about the ethics of Dale's actions, leading to his resignation. First published on February 24, 2015 / 7:08 PM. [7] Ten years later, following a lawsuit, the building passed to one of Yokoi's daughters and her husband. Castle Owner's Connections Investigated in Shooting - WSJ August 29, 2014 / 11:47 AM It is my pleasure to welcome you to my home. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Was it related to politics, as one source with close ties to Melius who did not want his name used adamantly tells the Press? The historic Oheka Castle in Huntington is brimming with stories that would fill any bride's fantasies. According to its current owner Gary Melius, the property "looked like something from a horror movie" when he first bought it in 1984. Looking at the well-kept furnishings, it's difficult to believe that Oheka Castle was ever in disrepair. Otto Kahn bought 443 acres of land in Cold Spring Harbor to build his family a lavish summer home in 1914. Politicians from both parties have sent well-wishes to the wounded power broker, including those whove clashed with him, like Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs. There is plenty to do during your visit to Long Island. The castle, built in 1919 by financier Otto Kahn, was used as a setting in the classic 1941 film "Citizen Kane.". Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota after visiting shooting victim and Oheka Castle Owner Gary Melius at North Shore University Hospital on Wednesday. They have reviewed the castles video surveillance footage, but it reportedly did not catch the face of the would-be killer. Gary Melius was shot at point blank range while getting into his car in the parking lot of his Long Island venue - Oheka Castle - on February 24. Melius' daughters called 911 but ended up taking him to the hospital themselves, MacKay said. Melius, a supporter of the third-party candidate, then contacted Dale seeking to have the young man investigated. Or was the gunman simply a disgruntled employee of the Gold Coast castle? While Melius was well known in the community and respected for his charitable donations, he was also involved in a local controversy last year, playing a role in the political scandal that led to the ouster of Nassau County's police commissioner at the time. Whatever precipitated the shooting, it was likely connected to business not politics, Jacobs said Monday. (Christie M. Farriella for New. Was Typhoid Mary A Reckless Superspreader Or A Tragic Victim? We spent dusk til dawn filming at Oheka Castle. 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. What is The Best Tex-Mex Restaurant on Long Island? A look at the beautiful reflective pools inside the formal garden. Police have had little to go on in the case, though they have been searching for the suspect's alleged getaway vehicle -- a Jeep Cherokee spotted driving away from the scene. Cops believe the black sedan was the lookout car, Newsday's sources said. It also offers a bar, restaurant, and mansion tours of the estate and gardens. For years, Oheka Castle was the site of the hottest parties on the East Coast. Gunfire at the Castle: Who Shot Oheka's Owner? And Why? - LI Press The 70-year-old developer and major political donor. They said they will have an investigator with intricate knowledge of the case handling the calls. They just shot him. 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Otto Hermann Kahn used Oheka Castle as his family's summer home where they famously threw the most extravagant parties on the East Coast. But the estate was no longer the playground for the rich and famous it once was. The 109,000-square-foot castle hosted the 2010 wedding of then-Congressman Anthony Weiner and Huma Abedin. Gary Melius, the owner of Oheka Castle in Huntington, N.Y., was shot Monday morning by a masked gunman. Proposed condo projects pit neighbor against neighbor as court fights One person of interest early on in the investigation was his son, Thomas Melius -- a young man with a troubled past. Cops also hadn't determined how many shots were fired and had not interviewed the victim. John O'Sullivan said. The grounds of Oheka Castle include a beautiful formal garden with a reflective pool amongst its trimmed bushes. [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.

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