The Biggest Mansions in America

Рет қаралды 45,466

Күн бұрын

Discover the grandeur of America's most magnificent homes! Join Ken as he explores the 10 largest mansions ever built in the US. From the inspiration behind The Great Gatsby to the iconic Biltmore Estate, these architectural marvels will leave you in awe. Don't forget to hit the subscribe button for more historical house tours!
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Public Domain Photos from: Library of Congress,
CC BY 2.0 Photos from: Flickr User: Hiker333, Itchy Melvin, ariel jatib, star5112, Peter Bond, Robert Lyle Bolton, bobistraveling, Jim, the Photographer, Esther Westerveld, Derek Ramsey, Esther Westerveld, Bill VanderMolen, Warren LeMay, Jennifer Boyer,mksfca, James Forsberg, Mike Myers
CC NY 2.5: Ram-man
CC BY-SA 3.0Photos from: Wikipedia User: Itub, Summ, 350z33, OhekaCastle, Gryffindor, Lolalatorre, Ike9898, Daniel Case, Wm. Chris Rowland, II
CC BY-SA 4.0 Photos from: Wikipedia User: Wallace Lin, OhekaCastleNY, Jllm06, Kelocyde, Flbrody
Assets from: Envato Elements
Music from Epidemic Sound
Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:13 10 Harbor Hill
2:11 9 Meadow Brook Hall
2:55 8 Shadow Lawn
4:26 7 Winterthur
6:49 6 Cornelius Vanderbilt II Mansion
8:20 5 Arden House
9:00 4 Whitemarsh Hall
11:26 3 The One
11:44 2 Oheka Castle
13:09 1 Biltmore
15:10 Honorable Mentions

Пікірлер: 173

@millcity9711 16 күн бұрын

It's not the initial cost of construction that's daunting, it's the never-ending cost of maintaining and staffing, hence the ultimate demise of so many of these grand behemoths.

@SMtWalkerS 16 күн бұрын

So true!

@bethbartlett5692 16 күн бұрын

Overwhelmingly tiresome ... Not where I would desire to be focused Course a "Property Manager" would be the 1st Hire, should I be responsible for an Estate of magnitude. ☀️

@sherriianiro747 16 күн бұрын

Income tax onset was the #1 reason these mansions ended.

@user-sg6ji2kk3u 16 күн бұрын

It’s still a crying shame . These homes took 2-4 years to complete and are so beautiful and lavish . It’s too bad more couldn’t be saved . Wall Street Crash and the Depression Years 😢

@SMtWalkerS 16 күн бұрын

@@user-sg6ji2kk3u Agree 100% I would love to be able to tour these amazing homes, so full of fine materials and incredible artistry.

@carylgibbs6094 16 күн бұрын

When I was a young girl, my grandmother’s best friend visited Biltmore and told me all about it. I had never seen a mansion or palace and could not imagine it. About 9 years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Biltmore myself and I was NOT disappointed! It’s a beautiful house but so many very interesting points (that pool!!!) and one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen from that veranda. It is splendid and worth the wait of 35 or so years of dreaming before I could see it for myself. Oh, and the wine! 🍷 ❤😊

@StellarAvenger 16 күн бұрын

I would've loved to have seen Millionaire's Row in Manhattan before the mansions were demolished. Seeing a street full of Gilded Age style mansions in person would've been a sight to behold.

@houseonahill4893 16 күн бұрын

The Biltmore House is the most amazing I’ve ever visited 😊. I live near it, an hour and a half away and I love to visit. Rooms change from time to time. Furniture rotates so every time you visit you see something different. The grounds, gardens, and greenhouse are breathtaking.

@ericritari3103 16 сағат бұрын

My favorite is Biltmore at Christmas

@eagander 16 күн бұрын

I'm amazed at the amount of research you obviously had to do to prepare this video!! The Biltmore is on my bucket list!!

@craigtiano3455 15 күн бұрын

Whitemarsh Hall also contained two gate houses. When Stotesbury arrived at the gatehouse in his carriage, the gatekeeper would call the main house to alert the organist, who would then play (the sound echoing throughout the valley) until Stotesbury arrived at the house. There was also a limestone building over 80' long which housed only the valves used to water the gardens. Throughout the property were extensive statuary, some of which still exists in the post-WWII suburban neighborhood. The main house had three underground levels. When I urbex'd the mansion one evening during the tearing down process, the lowest level was full of water. The levels available underground had individual rooms dedicated to specific trades (tailor, electrician, plumber, etc...) During the destruction of the mansion, they found perfectly preserved pocket doors over 12' tall and a locked safe. Upon opening the safe, the only contents were the breeding records of Stotesbury's thoroughbred horses.

@BlaiseMiller-bk7dk 16 күн бұрын

I was waiting for Lynwood hall, maybe I’ll see it in another video!

@bethbartlett5692 16 күн бұрын

Definitely in my Top 3.

@danielmorris7648 16 күн бұрын

My dad was pretty successful and i grew up in a 7,800 sgft house on ~250 acres and i always thought that was wayyy too much house especially for the 3 of us we didnt even use the 2nd and 3rd floor ever and only 2/3rds of the 1st floor however the land is totally worth it having acreage is better than a mansion

@v.llamas 16 күн бұрын

I love when you do longer form videos. Sometimes I like to put the videos on and listen while a complete a task. Thanks for your hard work!

@darkfire007 16 күн бұрын

I’m surprised that Hearst Castle didn’t make this list

@tennjen18 15 күн бұрын

I work at the Visitor Center there. The views are spectacular and the indoor pool absolutely blows away the drab one at Biltmore House. I guess the square footage is smaller than all those other mansions but, I would also include the surrounding gardens as part of the whole mansion including the outdoor Neptune pool and it's very large dressing rooms.

@larrystevens5786 15 күн бұрын

Ditto 🧐

@stephanied1028 14 күн бұрын

****Can you cover the historical homes in Galveston, TX? The Moody Mansion, Ashton Villa, Bishop’s Palace, Michel B. Menard House? They all survived the great storm of 1900 and they are all still standing today. That storm hurricane flattened some of the city, but those beautiful gems survived. It’s a city that doesn’t get coverage, but the history and architecture is amazing. ***

@mileshigh1321 16 күн бұрын

I thought Lynwood Hall would be on the list. But its a bit smaller at around 70k Sq feet! The amount of craftsmanship lost when the big places where taken down is tragic!

@Portia-oc6mr 16 күн бұрын

Spectacular homes! Winterthur, Whitemarsh Hall, Oheka Castle, Biltmore are quite lovely, but so are the others Thank you, Ken.

@MillerMeteor74 15 күн бұрын

I have visited the Biltmore, once or twice, with my parents back in the 70s. It's amazing.

@claireburkus8497 16 күн бұрын

I grew up near Whitmarsh Hall….a stunning mansion even in its decline…it should have been repurposed but developers do what they do for money and destroyed her !!! I belong to a private group on KZfaq and Facebook for Whitemarsh…we all have our eyes out on saving further destruction of these properties!!! We use to drive up to the mansion as teens and peek and just wonder about life there!!!

@deancameron6370 16 күн бұрын

My all time favorite is whitemarsh hall. Absolutely breathtaking and amazing gardens ❤

@johnvonundzu2170 16 күн бұрын

"Before it was introduced to the wrecking ball". I am loving that line! Of the ten, Oheka looks to be the nicest (extant) place for weekends - NYC's garbagemen certainly thought so, back in the day.

@p.mckenzie2921 16 күн бұрын

Indiana limestone comes from a small town, Bloomington Indiana about an hour away from where I live. They have a great big cord and a very real white pink color. It’s very pretty all the houses are wonderful, but I like built more than this because of the grounds and the dining room Dining was fantastic and the table is made out of Maple. I hope you had a good day and blessings and thanks for the wonderful videos you put out.😘😘

@LJB103 16 күн бұрын

Excellent video. I've toured Biltmore and Meadowbrook Hall, but I really wish that I had seen Whitemarsh Hall. For any future videos: Mackay is pronounced Mackie (no idea why).

@ThisHouse 16 күн бұрын

Thanks for the tip!

@jonclassical2024 16 күн бұрын

Super Great Episode Ken, thanks! I have been to Asheville, NC many times to see the Vanderbilt's little country house, Biltmore. I think the rooms at Winterthur are most comfortable looking to me though. Next time you visit, be sure and stay ath The Grove Park Inn, a very historic hotel!

@johnclement9370 16 күн бұрын

The Vanderbilts had many gorgeous and stunning mansions fit for the Gods on Mount Olympus, it's just staggering to comprehend that extent of wealth at the time of pre income tax era, so they sunk all those million$ into Lavish homes fit for a king, it still fascinates me the super rich robber Barrons of finance and industry, and how well they lived when the average person was struggling to survive Hand to mouth...

@loriboufford6342 16 күн бұрын

I love listening to these. Thank you for all your work

@roncross1945 14 күн бұрын

Thank you Ken for bringing all this history together. It’s so amazing to see all these mansions. I think your work is significant in documenting them.

@lauriekeikkala9937 16 күн бұрын

Thank you, Ken that was awesome! You’re the best!❤

@christophersuzuki8992 16 күн бұрын

The fireplace from the entrance hall of the Vanderbilt mansion is on display at the MET. What about Hearst Castle? Also the Schwab mansion in Manhattan?

@ThisHouse 16 күн бұрын

Hearst Castle is about 78,000 sqft and Charles Schwab’s Mansion was around 50,000 sqft. The bottom of our list was just over 85,000 sqft, so even as massive as they were, they did not land in the top ten.

@Kodakcompactdisc 15 күн бұрын

Marvelous video 👏🏾

@nw133 15 күн бұрын

Many thanks and huge appreciation for your hard work and knowledge. Best wishes and much love from Australia x

@StamperWendy 15 күн бұрын

Thanks, Ken! Keep it up 💯😘

@johnedward5520 15 күн бұрын

Another great video!

@jilltagmorris 16 күн бұрын

Thanks Ken ❤🎉😊

@seltexmx 16 күн бұрын

Excellent video; once again you presented a coherent informative history that was much enjoyed. Thanks for all your work.

@user-sg6ji2kk3u 16 күн бұрын

Bravo Ken !! This was an amazing video and you got some amazing Mansions in here !! Wow they are really breathtaking in size and grandeur Whitehall was beautiful alas some that I like were demolished . The First estate that Inspired “ The Great yGatsby” was amazing . as well as. The lavishness with these estates always leaves me breathless with the beauty of the ground s and the sheer opulence in design of the interiors . The Luxury which these people lived is amazing . This was a Gem Ken !! Great Work !! Laura a Fan in Canada❤😊👍🏻🙌🏻😌😌🇨🇦🇨🇦

@davidbrims5825 16 күн бұрын

Biltmore featured in the 1956 Grace Kelly, Alec Guinness film The Swan.

@christinacody8653 16 күн бұрын

Also parts were featured in Richie Rich (very apt as the Riches were loosely based on the Biltmores as well as other super rich families).

@millcity9711 16 күн бұрын

Biltmore was featured in the 1979 Peter Seller's film, "Being There." Incidentally, marking Seller's last film appearance.

@LJB103 16 күн бұрын

It was also shown at the beginning of the old Pruitts of Southampton ( later changed to The Phyllis Diller Show) tv series back in '66 - '67. Shadow Lawn was the home of Daddy Warbucks in the original movie version of Annie.

@tesscameron3699 16 күн бұрын

I have never seen anything like these houses. Oh to dream

@antoinejackson4311 16 күн бұрын

dude, its weird to see the face behind the voice.

@NelsonClick 16 күн бұрын

I know! Been viewing his videos for a long time before I saw what he actually looked like.

@alexxstarr27 15 күн бұрын

I loved them but favorite is Biltmore, can't wait to go there some day, as always you have done a great job on such an indepth video, thanks

@leodannyportal 16 күн бұрын

You do a great job!

@mr.x8259 15 күн бұрын

So awe-inspiring.

@tennjen18 15 күн бұрын

Biltmore is large but Hearst Castle has spectacular views of the Pacific and surrounding Santa Lusia mountains. The architect was Julia Morgan and she designed the mansion to be able to withstand earthquakes ( which in did in a 6.5 in 2003). Also, the indoor and outdoor pools of Hearst Castle are incredible. Hearst Castle is a State Parks of California Historical Monument. The surrounding land is still owned by the family and is a working beef cattle ranch.

@theunspoke815 16 күн бұрын

2 things: My heart is broken over the ones torn down!! And it's good for a channel like this to put new constructors in their place!! 😜👍✌️

@garryferrington811 16 күн бұрын

It was interesting to hear about a mansion which spontaneously exploded! That was an ending I did not expect.

@mikenixon2401 16 күн бұрын

Fun countdown, Ken. I'll select Meadowbrook Hall if it means I win a Dodge Charger. Ha, ha, ha. Thanks.

@SMtWalkerS 16 күн бұрын

Another fascinating video. I love these glimpses into the lives of the rich and powerful. If I would have lived back then, I'd be cooking in the kitchen or cleaning up manure in the stables and carriage house. Solidly lower middle class! But gawking is so fun!

@ThisHouse 16 күн бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@Diz3r3d 3 күн бұрын

Lynnewood hall could have been an honorable mention too! great video btw

@Vivaldi111 16 күн бұрын

What I took from this video is that bigger isn't always better lol. I want a house that's just big enough to be impressive but not so much that I can't afford to maintain it or move around in as i get older.

@robinjohansson6604 21 сағат бұрын

Good stuff

@carylgibbs6094 16 күн бұрын

Wait… ‘spontaneously exploded’?!? I need to know more.

@ThisHouse 16 күн бұрын

Here is the full story: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pbKHnc9jp5vGYGw.htmlsi=xzsfuVyeVVrZ0j2G

@heatherjones6647 16 күн бұрын

Thanks for skipping past "the one". Big but just doesn't measure up.

@vivaldi1948 16 күн бұрын

I appreciate you skipping over #3. I am from Michigan and at Christmas time there is only one place to go see and that is Meadowbrook. Beautiful.

@megwolff58 16 күн бұрын

What a relief some of those are still standing and in use. So much was wasted.

@user-wp3bb4yn8h 14 күн бұрын

I have actually been able to tour both the Dodge mansion in Michigan as well as the Biltmore. Both are very impressive and beautiful homes.

@GlennMandeville154 14 күн бұрын

What an absolutely fascinating video! The only two that I have personally seen are The Breakers and Biltmore. Both were unforgettable. When I came home to my house which I had always thought was pretty nice, it seemed like a shack in comparison! Oh well.....😢

@BarchBR00KS 22 сағат бұрын

You missed Whitehall in Palm Beach Florida. It was built for Henry Flagler and is 100,000 square feet. I assume that some of the research for this video came from Wikipedia, which did not have Whitehall listed. I have toured this home and it is really impressive. I have added this home to the Wikipedia list of largest homes in the US.

@stephenjablonsky1941 14 күн бұрын

The happiness of the millionaires was not in direct proportion to the size of their mansions.

@pamelah6431 12 күн бұрын

Sad to think that while so many suffered during the depression, there were others expanding their castles for the heck of it.

@LJB103 16 күн бұрын

Almost forgot: Florham is tied with Harbor Hill at 80,000 sq ft (for 11th place, but you are not including the perpetually unfinished Versailles). Just a fun note: Horace Trumbauer complained that the worst part of building Shadow Lawn was having to deal with Mrs Perkins' terrible taste

@charlesmagers4927 14 күн бұрын

Lynnwood hall in Elkins park Pennsylvania as well as the Elkins park mansions

@MrInzeo 14 күн бұрын

It’s interesting you put The One on the list. Cool house though.

@prawnstar9213 15 күн бұрын

What I find hard to imagine is ballroom dancing to a pipe organ…. This became so popular but I’ve never heard an organ being played except for at a church, used in an orchestra, or while watching some film about vampires. It’s the weirdest item found in most late guided age mansions

@Shahrdad 16 күн бұрын

Great Gatsby is rumored to be inspired by Alva Vanderbilt Belmont's Beacon Towers.

@walteranthony6435 16 күн бұрын

Yes, it is more accurate as described in the novel, Beacon Towers and the stunning waterfront location is the better inspiration for Gatsby's mansion.

@user-hc4xm8yp7c 13 күн бұрын

I love the Biltmore

@Walker983 15 күн бұрын

If I had a Mansion like that I'd rent it out and live in a Garden Shed . . . 😺😺😺

@garygloska7396 16 күн бұрын

Biltmore for me I hope it survives the tribulation to come

@christinacody8653 16 күн бұрын

Why do you say that?

@garygloska7396 16 күн бұрын

@@christinacody8653 wake up

@stuartm6069 16 күн бұрын

What tribulation are you talking about? I ask with sincere curiosity.

@garygloska7396 16 күн бұрын

@@stuartm6069 the great tribulation For 7 years

@madvente 16 күн бұрын

I would have expected to see Hearst Castle included in the list.

@ThisHouse 16 күн бұрын

If it was about 17,000 sqft larger it would have made the list

@LJB103 16 күн бұрын

@@ThisHouse Is the sq footage even all in the large mansion or does it include the guest houses?

@ThisHouse 16 күн бұрын

@@LJB103 from what I’ve read, if you were to include Hearst Castle’s outbuildings/additional structures it would come in around 90,000 sqft

@emmajohnson6955 16 күн бұрын

Miss my Woolworth

@Dao0253 16 күн бұрын

I need to use close captioning but it came up in Arabic today 🤷‍♀️🇨🇦

@ThisHouse 16 күн бұрын

Sometimes CC’s default to a random language for some reason. You should be able to click on it and change to English (or whatever you prefer).

@MsPearlontheshore 14 күн бұрын

Ken - I love what you do and that you show yourself! I’ve vowed to not listen to AI !

@mixrousefamily687 14 күн бұрын

Seeing the Vanderbilt houses, it’s not surprising that the heirs blew through the equivalent of $200B in just 3 generations

@Lcngopher 8 сағат бұрын

My mom actually went to oakland university, which is on the meadow brook property donated by matilda dodge wilson to michigan state university for a satellite campus.

@g.v.hedgpeth2602 16 күн бұрын

The Biltmore, at #1 ? Didn't see that one coming! 🤣

@bethbartlett5692 16 күн бұрын

Me either. White Marsh Hall or Linwood would be my choice. The Biltmore has an odd vibe +

@bethbartlett5692 16 күн бұрын

Largest, not necessarily most desirable.

@KarenRose70 16 күн бұрын

Forgot the former Spelling Manor

@ThisHouse 16 күн бұрын

Spelling Manor is “only” about 56,000 square feet. We started our list just shy of 90,000 sqft

@KarenRose70 16 күн бұрын

@@ThisHouse only I bet one closet is our house size

@rascalgirl84 16 күн бұрын

How does Lynnwood Hall compare to these grand estates? Just wondering; I hope it gets renovated and saved as I think it’s very deserving of preservation.

@ThisHouse 16 күн бұрын

It is tied for 16th largest. I’m so glad it is being restored!

@rascalgirl84 16 күн бұрын

@@ThisHouse thank you for answering my question. Me too that’s wonderful!

@tebelshaw9486 12 күн бұрын

@@rascalgirl84I toured it while a Korean group owned it. It was stripped of much of its grandeur. 😢

@andrelemire9915 16 күн бұрын

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

@BamBamBigelow.. 16 күн бұрын

I understand a mansion, but if it is just a couple, even small family….what is point. Simply to show off?

@mikenixon2401 16 күн бұрын

Some people have more money and ego than they do brains.

@zovalentine7305 16 күн бұрын

Maybe very social and party people

@zovalentine7305 16 күн бұрын

And of course: JUST. BECAUSE. THEY. CAN. 🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑

@jimwiskus8862 16 күн бұрын

100%

@jimwiskus8862 16 күн бұрын

Wow! You out did yourself with this one! ❤

@voniarichardson7945 Күн бұрын

All these homes should be turned into shelters or turned into mini apartments for the kids who age out of foster care. To have a place to land, while they figure out their next moves.

@disenchanter 6 күн бұрын

beginning to see a trend here.

@charlesmagers4927 14 күн бұрын

You forgot Lynnwood hall

@curiousworld7912 16 күн бұрын

Most of these estates are beautiful, even if some only existed for a short time. But, that modernist monstrosity in Bel Air is just awful.

@StageRight123 Күн бұрын

Everyone talking about Biltmore, when I have the now closed Biltmore casino near my house. The place is a dump and in the process of being torn down.

@radekg81 16 күн бұрын

Lynnewood Hall ??

@ThisHouse 16 күн бұрын

The house, itself, is about 70,000 square feet, making it about 15-18k sqft smaller than Harbor Hill. If you include all the outbuildings, Lynnewood Hall would make our list, but I did not include the outbuildings of any of the homes shown.

@daniel_sc1024 16 күн бұрын

Lynwood Hall is tied with two other mansions for 16th place.

@esleyhamilton4056 15 күн бұрын

You forgot about San Simeon, William Randolph Hearst's house in California.

@troystravels615 6 күн бұрын

My question would be, since so many of these have been destroyed or have been repurposed as house museums or other use, what is the largest mansion that is still occupied as a residence?.

@leomarkaable1 15 күн бұрын

James j hill built a grand mansion in St. Paul and also the St. Paul cathedral across the street.

@rickroy9074 13 күн бұрын

Did I miss Lynwood Hall??

@tebelshaw9486 12 күн бұрын

He says in other's comments that it is 16th.

@bethranger9883 16 күн бұрын

My favorite is the Vanderbilt

@LJB103 16 күн бұрын

Which one? George's Biltmore or his brother Cornelius II's NYC mansion?

@bethranger9883 16 күн бұрын

@@LJB103 NY. Manison

@StageRight123 Күн бұрын

Where's Charles Xavier's School For Gifted Children?

@maryc6189 16 күн бұрын

Locations?

@Alex-tk2ru 13 күн бұрын

You don't see any Rockefeller houses on this list, likely why they are still a wealthy family to this day..

@mixrousefamily687 14 күн бұрын

Destroying #10 with dynamite. Just crazy!

@BlaineShire 16 күн бұрын

Who does the captions?

@mortymbg13 15 күн бұрын

Heast Castle?

@williamsmith5549 16 күн бұрын

The One. Lord, lol.

@nicholaslarson8476 16 күн бұрын

I thought Lynnwood Hall was #2??

@gailm9543 12 күн бұрын

I enjoy your videos. So sad to know the wrecking ball took down some of these works of art.

@barbstocktons9338 Күн бұрын

The largest house in the US is Biltmore House It

@michellew9833 3 күн бұрын

what was number three? I thought you said Warren Mansion but that didn't bring anything up

@christophercasey7388 5 сағат бұрын

Hearst Castle?

@bethbartlett5692 16 күн бұрын

Whitemarsh Hall, Stotesbury, much more pleasing to the eye, offering clarity, the Greeks truly get 1st place for best Architecture Design, until Frank Lloyd Wright and his contemporaries gave us Clarity of Lines and Enviromental infusion. They share 1st Place in my perspective.