Former President Bill Clinton officiated the nuptials. When I first saw OHEKA back in 1984, even in its devastated state, I fell in love. An outdoor lounge at Oheka Castle which is part of the hotel's restaurant and bar. Thomas Melius' attorney, Dennis Lemke, told Newsday that his client was in an inpatient drug program at the time of the crime. The historic Oheka Castle in Huntington is brimming with stories that would fill any bride's fantasies. Gary Melius adopted him. Several years after Kahn's death in 1934, the estate was sold. Otto Hermann Kahn was a German Jewish immigrant who made his name as a financier and businessman after coming to the U.S. in 1893. The huge reward and a tip line were funded by friends of the Long Island power-broker who restored Oheka Castle as a catering venue. Theyve vowed to investigate every aspect of Melius life. His daughter rushed him to Syosset Hospital. 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 has been two years since Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius was shot in the head and the FBI now says it is getting involved. 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. When Melius fell on hard times financially in 1988, he sold the property to a Japanese company. 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]. (Paul Prince/AP). ", Oheka Castle is one of Long Island's most exclusive hotels, located in Huntington, N.Y. Visitors were greeted by a long driveway lined with manicured red cedar trees that led you into the property. Dive into this mega-mansion's history and find out what makes it so special. image: coldwell banker harbor light. In 2013, 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. The owner, who also lives there, was shot by an unknown assailant Monday. Not one phone call, not anything," Gary Melius said, according to the paper. After Otto Hermann Kahn's death in 1934, Oheka Castle moved between multiple ownerships. 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. It was the country home of investment financier and philanthropist Otto Hermann Kahn and his family. . It reportedly led to a secret chamber known as Kahn's secretary office. Cops also hadn't determined how many shots were fired and had not interviewed the victim. But Dale resigned immediately after her ruling. "But I saw what it needed, that it could become something great.". But the owner of the mansion, Gary Melius, lived through a much darker experience. Copyright 2023 WABC-TV. But at Manganos second inauguration, Melius was basking on stage as one of the honored guests seated in rows behind the podium, where he chatted with Congressman Steve Israel (D-Huntington). 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. 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. [8] They were unable to sustain the property themselves, so Melius reacquired it under a long-term lease and later re-purchased the estate, operating it as a weddings and events venue, luxury hotel and conference center.[9]. "As best as we can determine, (Melius) was entering his vehicle," Suffolk Police Detective Sgt. In recent weeks, Melius spoke with law enforcement authorities investigating political corruption, the source said. Melius has engaged in political skirmishes with some of Long Island's most powerful officials, a high-ranking political source told the Daily News. 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. 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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But even Ohekawhich borrows from the name of its originator, Otto Herman Kahnhas had some interesting reincarnations, too. #TheFBIs I happen to be blessed with a very very large extended family who rallied to my side during the past 24 hours. So who does Melius think wanted him dead? Authorities on Thursday released surveillance video showing the man who shot the owner of Long Island's . I think hes going to make it! he told the Press when he was reached. A family member? What is The Best Japanese Restaurant on Long Island? Please enter valid email address to continue. "I not only don't know -- I can't think of why anybody who would kill me," Melius said. Oheka Castle's splendor was immediately visible upon entrance. 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. Melius myriad business dealings? During that time, over 100 cases of attempted arson were reported at the mansion, but none ever caught flame thanks to Kahn's fireproof design. 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. It doesn't appear to be an accidental shooting at this time.". He renovated the building and grounds to the tune of $30 million. The mansion, built by Kahn between 1914 and 1919, is the largest private home in New York, and the second largest in the United States, comprising 127 rooms and over 109,000sqft (10,100m2), as originally configured. 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. 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. Restoration efforts to restore Oheka Castle to its former glory and upgrade amenities cost $37 million over 20 years. One person of interest early on in the investigation was his son, Thomas Melius -- a young man with a troubled past. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. It took 18 months to scrape off the original paint from the railings during initial repairs. What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. 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. It took another two months for the rails to be refinished to restore the grand staircase to its former glory. Melius, a major political donor deeply involved in Long Island politics, was shot in the head Monday around 12:30 p.m. 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. If this near death experience has done anything, is a reminder to live each day, celebrate life and embrace your family.". Tennis courts, stables, orchards, a landing strip, and a large private greenhouse were also on the property. August 29, 2014 / 11:47 AM Oheka Castle's construction began in 1917 and was completed two years later. 2014 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. He said he is recovering. (KEVIN P. COUGHLIN/Kevin P.. the gunman fired a shot into his driver's side window. 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. The power-broker castle owner is a politically connected developer who frequently hosts lavish luncheons, formal dinners, cigar-filled poker games and a variety of other galas at Oheka, the former opulent residence of financier Otto Kahn. The shooting was captured on surveillance. 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. The name "Oheka" is a play on the original owner's full name, Otto Hermann Kahn, who modeled the estate on the stylish chateaus of France. He holds an M.S. Otto Hermann Kahn used Oheka Castle as his family's summer home where they famously threw the most extravagant parties on the East Coast. 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. Link to logo, AAA Four Diamond Award Logo, Link to logo, Historic Hotels Worldwide Logo. Mevorach asked. 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. Police stand in front of Oheka castle on Long Island after the owner Gary Melius was shot on the premises. In 1905, his country home burned to the ground in a devastating fire. "They wanted to help some way and felt, you know, really helpless," Melius said. Was the hit related to the castles multi-layered financing? (Courtesy Paul Prince). Melius has clearly gambled his life on Oheka Castle. He plays cards with Republican former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato. While no one saw an actual ghost, some of our #FBIMostWanted cast and crew mentioned an uneasy feeling on the top floor near the green rooms! "When I first bought the property, it looked like something from a horror movie," Melius said. Inside the "house" were 127 rooms, a grand library housing a secret passageway behind one of the bookcases, and 39 working fireplaces. Think "haunted houses on Long Island" and the "Amityville Horror" house, where Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered six family members in 1974, is sure to be among the top ones that come to mind. Gary Melius, the owner of Oheka Castle in Long Island, was shot on Monday by a masked shooter. The paper reports records show that Thomas Melius was released from a months-long jail stint just five days before his father was shot. Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota after visiting shooting victim and Oheka Castle Owner Gary Melius at North Shore University Hospital on Wednesday. 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. According to its current owner Gary Melius, the property "looked like something from a horror movie" when he first bought it in 1984. "They have not one thing to physically connect him to this. The whole thing is awful, Jacobs told the Press shortly after the shooting. The cost of restorations and improvements to Oheka Castle over 20 years reportedly cost about $37 million, making it the largest restoration project in U.S. history, according to the estate's website. (Paul Prince) The high-rolling target of a botched hit outside his Long Island. Instead, he says, authorities should be looking into whether a certain political foe of his was involved. Gary Melius shooting still shrouded in mystery 4 years later. Oheka Castle is said to be the inspiration behind Scott F. Fitzgerald's 1925 book. Toute l'actualit et les dernires informations sur la rgion Hauts-de-France, qui a t cre suite la rforme territoriale de 2015. Chief investigative reporter Jonathan Dienst on crime, corruption and terrorism. Find company research, competitor information, contact details & financial data for SYNPSH of CROIX, HAUTS DE FRANCE. (Paul Prince) Spota exited about an hour after his 11 a.m. arrival to see Melius, a poker buddy. We spent dusk til dawn filming at Oheka Castle. 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. He reportedly renegotiated its $27.9-million mortgage last August and had defaulted on the loan in 2012. Our Fabulous Variety Show Open Level Tween + Adult Tap Dance for Ages 11+ at Project Most! Was it related to politics, as one source with close ties to Melius who did not want his name used adamantly tells the Press? As of press time, there had been no suspects named nor arrests made in the case. ", Rep. Pete King, a Republican and friend of Melius, said he had no idea who would want to harm Melius: "I just hope and pray that he's going to come back. Authorities set up informational checkpoints, interviewing passing motorists and anyone else who might have seen something useful. MacKidNPascack/TwitterThe castle was allegedly the inspiration behind the 1925 novel The Great Gatsby. The academy bulldozed the mansion's gardens and divided its luxurious rooms into smaller classrooms and dorms. Its original 443-acre plot has shrunk to 23 acres over the last century. 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. It is supposedly the largest restoration in the U.S. to date. "I am disappointed and surprised, and I disagree vehemently," he fumed then. / CBS New York. 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. Four years ago, he's shot in the middle of the day, and its captured on video, and there's no arrest.. God bless you all.. Its massive size once made Oheka Castle the second largest private residence in the U.S., behind only the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. The house was featured in a book by subsequent owners who claimed . Legends say the castle is haunted. (Veronique Louis for New York Daily News). The property was also the site of Kahn's daughter's wedding, which became the first of many wedding ceremonies hosted at Oheka Castle. The property later became Oheka Castle. Oheka is the second largest private residence in America with 109,000 square feet. ", 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. All rights reserved. In the hallowed halls of this ornately refurbished mansion-turned-luxury hotel, catering and wedding hall, Melius would often be spotted without a tie and wearing blue jeans. The castle, built in 1919 by financier Otto Kahn, was used as a setting in the classic 1941 film "Citizen Kane.". Eventually, the historic property was bought by a local developer who invested millions of dollars to return it to its once-lavish state and convert it into a hotel. Investigators will review surveillance footage. The 109,000-square-foot castle hosted the 2010 wedding of then-Congressman Anthony Weiner and Huma Abedin. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. He also holds an M.A. (KEVIN P. COUGHLIN/Kevin P. Coughlin/Flying Dog Pho), Frank Mackay, chairman of Suffolk's Independence Party, called the shooting "gutless.". Cops believe the black sedan was the lookout car, Newsday's sources said. Much of the remainder of the property was developed into single-family homes. 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. Originally built for financier Otto Kahn in 1921, the 126-room Oheka is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 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 was completed in 1919 for financier Otto Kahn and then restored by Melius as a luxury hotel, catering hall, and conference center. 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. Suffolk County Police officers surround the car belonging to Gary Melius, the owner of Oheka Castle, who brought to Syosset Hospital with a gunshot wound on Monday. Following a 911 call to police, officers, dogs and a police helicopter descended on the estate. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. "When I first bought the property, it looked like something from a horror movie," Melius said. 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. But something about the castle must have had a deep hold on him because he could not walk away from it. Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota after visiting shooting victim and Oheka Castle Owner Gary Melius at North Shore University Hospital on Wednesday. "I feel good we're going to catch him, and hopefully, he'll get what's coming to him," Melius said. It is now a popular wedding venue. The construction of Oheka Castle began in 1917 and was completed two years later. Then, to build his dream home, Kahn would spend a total of $11 million roughly $158 million in today's currency. I look forward to getting back to work. 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. Melius, 69, was struck down about 12:30 p.m. as he climbed into his Mercedes in the valet parking lot of the Huntington castle he calls home, Suffolk County police said. It is a popular wedding venue for socialites, celebrities, and dignitaries, as well as the backdrop to many photo shoots, television series and films. 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. Oheka Castle, which is also a hotel offering $1,095-a-night . Gary Melius has a vast and complicated business enterprise, so that means there are a lot of places to look. 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. Police found two full rounds at the scene, Newsday said. In 2016, then-Suffolk Police Commissioner Tim Sini released. Celebrities who have been married there include Curtis Martin, Kevin Jonas,[10][11] Megyn Kelly,[12] Joey Fatone,[13] Brian McKnight, former U.S. congressman Anthony Weiner,[14] and comedian Yannis Pappas. 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. I encourage everyone to learn more about OHEKA's rich history by browsing the History pages on our website, reading the OHEKA CASTLE book or by taking an Historic Mansion Tour at the Castle. Gary Melius, the owner of Oheka Castle in Huntington, N.Y., was shot Monday morning by a masked gunman. [2], Kahn built Oheka in response to Jews being forbidden entry to clubs and golf courses in Morristown, New Jersey and because in 1905, a previous country home of Kahn's, Cedar Court, was virtually destroyed by fire. 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. They said they will have an investigator with intricate knowledge of the case handling the calls. Views of the garden from the hotel's restaurant. They have reviewed the castles video surveillance footage, but it reportedly did not catch the face of the would-be killer. Police said they don't know if the gunman and Melius exchanged any words before the shooting. The moment the Oheka Castle's owner was shot in his Mercedes February 25, 2016 | 3:25pm. Suffolk County Detective Sgt. To enter from the castles main entrance, visitors must follow a long winding road and pass through a gated driveway equipped with surveillance cameras. What is The Best Tex-Mex Restaurant on Long Island? Topics you care about, straight to your inbox. Thank God!. The premise of the show was to give viewers an "all-access pass inside America's most enormous, opulent and advanced Mega Mansions. Melius boasts of friendships with King and Democratic Rep. Steve Israel. John O'Sullivan said. Originally a 127-room "house," Oheka Castle is now a 32-bedroom hotel. "It was not a robbery," D'Amato told Newsday after leaving his pal's hospital room, where cops were posted outside. Police stand in front of Oheka Castle on Long Island after owner Gary Melius was shot on the premises Monday. Thomas Melius is the biological son of Gary Melius' wife. The school occupied the house until it closed in 1979. If you look closely, the estate is peppered with the symbol of the Linden tree. Oheka Castle is one of Long Island's most exclusive hotels, located in Huntington, N.Y. 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. 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. 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Looking at the well-kept furnishings, it's difficult to believe that Oheka Castle was ever in disrepair. Melius, a supporter of the third-party candidate, then contacted Dale seeking to have the young man investigated.
