America's Most Beautiful Mansions
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Biltmore Mansion, Asheville, North Carolina
Built by George Washington Vanderbilt II in the style of a chateau, this residence is considered one of the most outstanding examples of the Gilded Age. At 175,000 square feet, it is the largest privately-owned house in the United States. Its formal French gardens and rolling English landscape draw thousands of visitors every year.
Lyndhurst, Tarrytown, New York
Sitting on a knoll with a lawn that stretches toward the mighty Hudson River, this Gothic Revival mansion was built in an early Gilded Age style. Designed in 1838 and expanded in 1865, its turrets and a four-story tower are a tribute to original architect Alexander Jackson Davis. Narrow hallways lead to rooms with vaulted ceilings and pointed arched windows. Now open to the public, Lyndhurst was originally the home of William Pauldring, Jr., who was the mayor of New York City in the 1820s. The home was later purchased by merchant George Merrittand eventually by the railroad tycoon Jay Gould.
Rough Point, Newport, Rhode Island
This 105-room Gilded Age mansion was built for Frederick William Vanderbilt in 1887. Unlike so many historic mansions, this one has a very recent social history. Owned by tobacco heiress and philanthropist Doris Duke until her death in 1993, the home is now a museum featuring art works by Renoir, Gainsborough and van Dyck. The property allows visitors a glimpse of Duke’s world-class collection, the home and her fascinating life. The mansion overlooks the coastline and is surrounded by grounds designed by Central Park architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
Woolworth Mansion, New York City, New York
This exquisite neo-French Renaissance mansion was designed by C.H.P. Gilbert and completed in 1916. Rife with gilding and carved stone, the home makes a glamorous first impression. Once inside the entry foyer, visitors are treated to beautifully rendered floor mosaics, a stained-glass skylight and grand staircase. Throughout the seven-story home, floor-to-ceiling windows accentuate the high ceilings. And its paneled library is as lovely as it is distinguished.
Picacho Lane Mansion, Montecito, California
Designed by architect Don Nulty (who designed Rob Lowe’s home) this 12,500-square-foot French provincial style mansion was completed in 2001. Situated on nine acres, the home features a sweeping iron staircase that lead to three second-floor guest suites, French doors that give way to ocean vistas, a sprawling galleria with groin-vaulted ceilings and stone arches. What makes the $34-million residence rare and special, according to realtor Rebecca Riskin, is that the home is perfectly proportioned to its surroundings. “What’s notable is that....ease and comfort are balanced with vast entertaining spaces . . . and the grand amenities expected of an estate of this caliber,” she said.
The Breakers, Newport, Rhode Island
Completed in 1895 by architect Richard Morris Hunt, The Breakers was the summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II and his family. The cost of building was over $12 million. Grand iron gates mark the property and the five-story mansion overlooks the ocean. Interior features include a great hall with six doors—each one topped with a limestone figure, a library with coffered ceilings and a music room with elliptical ceiling molding inscribed with French references to musical elements. Now a museum, the home is also a National Historic Landmark.
Vizcaya, Miami, Florida
Surrounded by 10-acres of European-inspired gardens and a private sculpture garden, this Miami mansion overlooks Biscayne Bay. Completed in 1916, the opulent residence features room after room of elaborate arches, classical columns and decorative detail. The library hides a secret passage through its bookcase and the tea room features stained glass doors that splash colorful light on the smooth marble floors.
Wyck Estate, Manchester by the Sea, MassachusettsBuilt around 1900, the Wyck Estate is an oceanfront beauty completely constructed with materials from France. Designed to replicate a French chateau, the house features grand European handcrafted embellishments. It sits on 7.85-acres of rolling lawn which gives way to the ocean. A sandy beach, a filtered saltwater pool, a boat house and tennis courts are among the home’s exterior features.
2901 Broadway, San Francisco, California
No, this mansion isn’t in Italy. But perched on a hilltop in Pacific Heights, the Renaissance-style residence was intended to look that way. Designed in the 1920s for industrialist Milton S. Ray, the home features an immense leaded-glass window, a grand reception hall and a winding marble staircase. In addition to crystal chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows that give way to views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The 10,000-square-foot house is listed for $38 million.
6601 Hunter's Glen, University Park, Texas
Since it was built in 1927, this neo-classical mansion has been notable for its prominent wrought-iron gates, manicured grounds, fountain and circular drive. Inside the 12,957-square-foot house is distinguished by its contemporary decor. You’ll find 10 fireplaces, a formal reception room with an onyx wall and a two-story great room. Outdoors, there are tennis courts, a covered viewing terrace, a private putting green and a cabana with a kitchen. The home is listed for $22.8 million.
Filoli, Woodside, CaliforniaAccording to architect and author Gary Lawrance, an expert on grand residences, this Georgian mansion is a splendid example of American mansion style. Blending regional details, such as a tiled roof that is typical of California, with traditional architectural features, architect Willis Polk created the masterpiece for gold-mine owner William Bowers Bourn II, completing it in 1917. Its formal gardens remain a draw to visitors and its exquisite interior was featured in the television series, Dynasty.
Biltmore Mansion, Asheville, North Carolina
Built by George Washington Vanderbilt II in the style of a chateau, this residence is considered one of the most outstanding examples of the Gilded Age. At 175,000 square feet, it is the largest privately-owned house in the United States. Its formal French gardens and rolling English landscape draw thousands of visitors every year.
Lyndhurst, Tarrytown, New York
Sitting on a knoll with a lawn that stretches toward the mighty Hudson River, this Gothic Revival mansion was built in an early Gilded Age style. Designed in 1838 and expanded in 1865, its turrets and a four-story tower are a tribute to original architect Alexander Jackson Davis. Narrow hallways lead to rooms with vaulted ceilings and pointed arched windows. Now open to the public, Lyndhurst was originally the home of William Pauldring, Jr., who was the mayor of New York City in the 1820s. The home was later purchased by merchant George Merrittand eventually by the railroad tycoon Jay Gould.
Rough Point, Newport, Rhode Island
This 105-room Gilded Age mansion was built for Frederick William Vanderbilt in 1887. Unlike so many historic mansions, this one has a very recent social history. Owned by tobacco heiress and philanthropist Doris Duke until her death in 1993, the home is now a museum featuring art works by Renoir, Gainsborough and van Dyck. The property allows visitors a glimpse of Duke’s world-class collection, the home and her fascinating life. The mansion overlooks the coastline and is surrounded by grounds designed by Central Park architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
Woolworth Mansion, New York City, New York
This exquisite neo-French Renaissance mansion was designed by C.H.P. Gilbert and completed in 1916. Rife with gilding and carved stone, the home makes a glamorous first impression. Once inside the entry foyer, visitors are treated to beautifully rendered floor mosaics, a stained-glass skylight and grand staircase. Throughout the seven-story home, floor-to-ceiling windows accentuate the high ceilings. And its paneled library is as lovely as it is distinguished.
Picacho Lane Mansion, Montecito, California
Designed by architect Don Nulty (who designed Rob Lowe’s home) this 12,500-square-foot French provincial style mansion was completed in 2001. Situated on nine acres, the home features a sweeping iron staircase that lead to three second-floor guest suites, French doors that give way to ocean vistas, a sprawling galleria with groin-vaulted ceilings and stone arches. What makes the $34-million residence rare and special, according to realtor Rebecca Riskin, is that the home is perfectly proportioned to its surroundings. “What’s notable is that....ease and comfort are balanced with vast entertaining spaces . . . and the grand amenities expected of an estate of this caliber,” she said.
The Breakers, Newport, Rhode Island
Completed in 1895 by architect Richard Morris Hunt, The Breakers was the summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II and his family. The cost of building was over $12 million. Grand iron gates mark the property and the five-story mansion overlooks the ocean. Interior features include a great hall with six doors—each one topped with a limestone figure, a library with coffered ceilings and a music room with elliptical ceiling molding inscribed with French references to musical elements. Now a museum, the home is also a National Historic Landmark.
Vizcaya, Miami, Florida
Surrounded by 10-acres of European-inspired gardens and a private sculpture garden, this Miami mansion overlooks Biscayne Bay. Completed in 1916, the opulent residence features room after room of elaborate arches, classical columns and decorative detail. The library hides a secret passage through its bookcase and the tea room features stained glass doors that splash colorful light on the smooth marble floors.
Wyck Estate, Manchester by the Sea, MassachusettsBuilt around 1900, the Wyck Estate is an oceanfront beauty completely constructed with materials from France. Designed to replicate a French chateau, the house features grand European handcrafted embellishments. It sits on 7.85-acres of rolling lawn which gives way to the ocean. A sandy beach, a filtered saltwater pool, a boat house and tennis courts are among the home’s exterior features.
2901 Broadway, San Francisco, California
No, this mansion isn’t in Italy. But perched on a hilltop in Pacific Heights, the Renaissance-style residence was intended to look that way. Designed in the 1920s for industrialist Milton S. Ray, the home features an immense leaded-glass window, a grand reception hall and a winding marble staircase. In addition to crystal chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows that give way to views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The 10,000-square-foot house is listed for $38 million.
6601 Hunter's Glen, University Park, Texas
Since it was built in 1927, this neo-classical mansion has been notable for its prominent wrought-iron gates, manicured grounds, fountain and circular drive. Inside the 12,957-square-foot house is distinguished by its contemporary decor. You’ll find 10 fireplaces, a formal reception room with an onyx wall and a two-story great room. Outdoors, there are tennis courts, a covered viewing terrace, a private putting green and a cabana with a kitchen. The home is listed for $22.8 million.
Filoli, Woodside, CaliforniaAccording to architect and author Gary Lawrance, an expert on grand residences, this Georgian mansion is a splendid example of American mansion style. Blending regional details, such as a tiled roof that is typical of California, with traditional architectural features, architect Willis Polk created the masterpiece for gold-mine owner William Bowers Bourn II, completing it in 1917. Its formal gardens remain a draw to visitors and its exquisite interior was featured in the television series, Dynasty.
Stunning collection! ;-)
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