A Castle with a Storied Past
Built in 1919 by financier Otto Hermann Kahn, Oheka Castle is the second-largest private residence in the United States, surpassed only by North Carolina’s Biltmore Estate. The 109,000-square-foot mansion sits atop Long Island’s highest point, featuring 127 rooms across 443 acres when first constructed.
Over the decades, the property changed hands, serving as a retirement home, a WWII training school, and later a military academy before being abandoned in 1979. Fires and vandalism left it in ruins before Melius purchased it in 1984.
Melius poured millions into restoration, transforming the castle into a premier wedding and event venue. Today, Oheka sits on 22 landscaped acres, surrounded by the Cold Spring Country Club, once its stables.
What’s Next in Chapter 11
Despite the bankruptcy, Melius says Oheka Castle will remain open and operational throughout the proceedings. Plans are also underway for a luxury condominium development on the property.
“Mr. Melius has literally put his blood, sweat, and tears into restoring this landmark,” said his attorney Joseph S. Maniscalco of LaMonica Herbst & Maniscalco LLP. “We will work with all parties to successfully emerge from Chapter 11.”
The case is assigned to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Louis A. Scarcella, with a management conference scheduled for Aug. 14.
