On February 24, 2014, Melius survived a gunshot to the head by a masked gunman in the parking lot of the castle. Deborah Bryggman works at the mansion as a tour guide. Now after years of restoration and the support of my family I am proud to say that OHEKA is once again a private home and a great place to throw a party just as Otto Kahn did back in the decadent days of the 1920s. On Tuesday, Melius released a video to the media announcing the reward and thanking the Suffolk County Police Department for its work. Then, from 1948 to 1979 it was occupied by the Eastern Military Academy until it closed. the gunman fired a shot into his driver's side window. This is the library at Oheka Castle which includes a secret passageway behind one of the bookshelves. 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. Melius said he has recovered from his injuries. Thank God!. "There is a reward for $100,000 leading to the arrest and conviction," Melius said. (Andrew Theodorakis/New York Daily News). The witness, Randy White, was a campaign worker for third-party candidate Andrew Hardwick. a masked gunman drove up to the renowned catering hall and opened fire. It became known as Oheka Castle, an acronym taken from his full name. In 1948, Eastern Military Academy purchased the castle and 23 acres (9.3ha) of its property, bulldozed the gardens and subdivided the rooms. And if there were a pressing problem requiring immediate attention, hed be the first one to be hands-on, as youd expect from a guy who once was a plumber, long before he became the king of the castle. The FBI has also offered assistance, an agency spokesperson tells the Press. Suffolk County Police declined to comment on the video surveillance Thursday. It took another two months for the rails to be refinished to restore the grand staircase to its former glory. 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. The sprawling mansion estate-turned-luxury hotel and wedding hall Oheka Castle in Huntington was the scene of a botched hit Monday, Feb. 24, 2014, when its owner, Gary Melius, was shot in the. 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. If this near- death experience has done anything it is a reminder to live each day, celebrate life and embrace your family. Melius was hospitalized and was in stable condition at North Shore University Hospital. image: coldwell banker harbor light. The famous Gatsby mansion has also hosted 1920s-style parties, where the wealthy once again sip champagne while dressed in period-garb. All rights reserved. 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. 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. 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. 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. . The shooting was captured on surveillance video, which has not been released. It was about 12:30 p.m., a Monday, and the developer-turned-owner of Oheka Castlea historic 127-room French-style chateau tucked behind rolling hills and residential homes in Huntingtonwas reportedly about to meet his pal, former U.S. Sen. Al DAmato, for lunch. But he declined to give them specific details, Newsday said. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Shock spread among guests at the hotel and banquet hall after the shooting Monday. 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. Gary Melius has hosted several celebrity events at his castle, including Debbie Gibson's 2nd annual Gibson Girl Foundation Benefit on May 21, 2012. A look at the beautiful reflective pools inside the formal garden. "This is an active, ongoing investigation, we're not going to be commenting," said a Suffolk County Police spokeswoman. What is permanently damaged is his reputation, after what he called a character assassination in the press that hurt more than the shooting. Theyve vowed to investigate every aspect of Melius life. Melius' daughters called 911 but ended up taking him to the hospital themselves, MacKay said. 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. The Cold Spring golf course and the property surrounding it that was. The employees entrance at the rear of the property, however, has no such securityand provides a quicker exit. Roughly 222 new windows and doors as well as 4,000 new roof slates were purchased during the first years of Oheka Castle's renovations. Melius bought Oheka Castle in 1984 and soon began restoring it. Melius once was nearly $6 million in debt, according to the Daily News, and owed the Trump Taj Mahal some $100,000 in 1992. Who shot Melius and why? 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 Melius fell on hard times financially in 1988, he sold the property to a Japanese company. Police believe the Jeep carried the masked, hooded shooter who climbed out of the car and walked straight to Melius. The school occupied the house until it closed in 1979. Suffolk County Detective Sgt. The castle is now a hotel with 32 guest rooms and suites. Melius is a prominent developer and political contributor and is well-known and well-liked. 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. ", 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. 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. The Gatsby Suite, pictured here, is a nod to the hotel's alleged ties to, Kahn famously hosted extravagant parties at his summer estate. Melius has changed his security procedures since the incident, but doesn't give the shooting a second thought. But the owner of the mansion, Gary Melius, lived through a much darker experience. With all his success, Kahn had some hard times too. Who Makes The Best Margarita on Long Island? The financier had created the 109,000-square-foot manor in 1919. Oheka Castle's construction began in 1917 and was completed two years later. The columns of Oheka Castle show the architecture's European influences. Four years ago, he's shot in the middle of the day, and its captured on video, and there's no arrest.. A year earlier, Melius had defaulted on the loan. A view of Oheka Castle from afar. Was Typhoid Mary A Reckless Superspreader Or A Tragic Victim? 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. It was a big gamble, but it paid off. I look forward to getting back to work. An outdoor lounge at Oheka Castle which is part of the hotel's restaurant and bar. Construction began in 1917 and was completed after two years. Former President Bill Clinton presided over the wedding of then-Rep. Anthony Weiner and Huma Abedin, a close aide to then-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, in 2010. Hed make his case that the two major parties had failed the republic and then move on. After the sale, it was used for several purposes, including as a retreat for New York City sanitation workers. from the school with a concentration in business and economics. Gary Melius, the owner of Oheka Castle in Huntington, N.Y., was shot Monday morning by a masked gunman. The name "Oheka" is an acronym using the first several letters of each part of its creator's name, Otto Hermann Kahn, which Kahn also used to name his yacht Oheka II and his ocean-front Villa Oheka in Palm Beach, Florida. 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. He stuck with it but the costs of renovation were steep, and so in 1988 he sold Oheka to a Japanese businessman for $22 million. 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. (Bobby Bank/WireImage). Dive into this mega-mansion's history and find out what makes it so special. Get the latest business insights from Dun & Bradstreet. 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. Unfortunately, the castle fell into disarray after Kahn's death in 1934, changing owners several times before finally standing vacant for over a decade. Find company research, competitor information, contact details & financial data for SYNPSH of CROIX, HAUTS DE FRANCE. Police interviewed Melius at his hospital bed for the first time Tuesday. bucketlistli/TwitterOheka Castle's construction began in 1917 and was completed two years later. CBS New York reported the video shows the suspect's weapon getting jammed before the suspect then flees in a vehicle. "As best as we can determine, (Melius) was entering his vehicle," Suffolk Police Detective Sgt. Find company research, competitor information, contact details & financial data for AUCHAN RETAIL INTERNATIONAL of CROIX, HAUTS DE FRANCE. Kahn commissioned the Olmsted Brothers to design the estate's grounds, centered on a formal axial sunken garden in the French manner, of clipped greens and gravel in parterres and water terraces, screened by high clipped hedging from the entrance drive that runs parallel to the main axis. At Melius' insistence, Dale directed cops to arrest a key witness in a case connected to the county executive race. In 2004, Oheka was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 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. 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. Melius was shot in the head in the attack last year. At the palatial residence Tuesday, Melius told Gusoff he has not lost faith in police, but hopes for new leads. After its original owner died, Oheka Castle was used as a retirement home and then a military academy until it was eventually abandoned. It is a nod to Kahn's hometown in Germany. But Dale resigned immediately after her ruling. It was Melius call to former Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Dale requesting Randy White, a Roosevelt resident, be charged with perjury in an election lawsuit that made headlines last Decemberresulting in Whites arrest and Dales resignation following a Nassau County District Attorney probe that ultimately cleared the developer, Dale and Mangano of criminality, but infuriated Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs for giving the Mangano administration a pass. It has been used to film popular shows like. 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. The castle was allegedly the inspiration behind the 1925 novel, European fugitive who faked his own death and was found living in his lavish French castle. In 1905, his country home burned to the ground in a devastating fire. Police stand in front of Oheka castle on Long Island after the owner Gary Melius was shot on the premises. "You know, I wasn't really in favor of doing this, felt the police do their job like everybody else," Melius said. Its later years were, unfortunately, less glamourous. Whatever precipitated the shooting, it was likely connected to business not politics, Jacobs said Monday. [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. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. A day after the attack, Melius posted a statement on Ohekas Facebook page, thanking those who have offered prayers and expressing his desire to return to the castle and to get back to work. Gary Melius, the owner of Oheka Castle in Huntington, N.Y., was shot Monday morning by a masked gunman. "They wanted to help some way and felt, you know, really helpless," Melius said. One things for sure: Someone wants Gary Melius dead. The castle, built in 1919 by financier Otto Kahn, was used as a setting in the classic 1941 film "Citizen Kane.". The shooting was captured on surveillance. "I cannot believe this; you are not safe anywhere," said Natasha Silne, a newlywed who was supposed to check into the hotel with her husband for their honeymoon. Much of the remainder of the property was developed into single-family homes. So who does Melius think wanted him dead? He plays cards with Republican former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato. "Are you any closer today, Gary, to knowing who did this to you?" Orson Welles used its exterior to shoot some scenes there in 1940 for his American classic Citizen Kane. Perhaps Fitzgerald might have described these nostalgic revelers with this fitting passage from Gatsby "boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.". 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. Gary Melius shooting still shrouded in mystery 4 years later. This case is the biggest whodunit to hit Long Island in recent memory. 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. (Christie M. Farriella for New. Police are still looking for the shooter. The property was also the site of Kahn's daughter's wedding, which became the first of many wedding ceremonies hosted at Oheka Castle. (Veronique Louis for New York Daily News). They said they will have an investigator with intricate knowledge of the case handling the calls. 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. 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. (Christie M. Farriella for New York Daily News). 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. Authorities on Thursday released surveillance video showing the man who shot the owner of Long Island's . Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. "I feel good we're going to catch him, and hopefully, he'll get what's coming to him," Melius said. August 29, 2014 / 11:47 AM 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. Was the hit related to the castles multi-layered financing? 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. 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. Police said Melius had made it out of surgery by Monday evening and was alert and in stable condition. It reportedly led to a secret chamber known as Kahn's secretary office. Melius, who poured $23,000 into Hardwick's campaign coffers, was accused of backing the candidate as a favor to his Republican pal, County Executive Ed Mangano, in an effort to siphon votes from the Democratic candidate, Tom Suozzi. I think hes going to make it! he told the Press when he was reached. "To realize that he was able to recover from the shot, go back into Oheka, call the police," Rosenberg said. 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. According to its current owner Gary Melius, the property "looked like something from a horror movie" when he first bought it in 1984. After the shooting, Rosenberg says, he managed to stagger back to the castle and call for help. 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. The academy bulldozed the mansion's gardens and divided its luxurious rooms into smaller classrooms and dorms. Now, Oheka Castle is once again among the most famous estates in all of Long Island. He told them he has no idea who tried to kill him, and there are no known witnesses. [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]. What is The Best Japanese Restaurant on Long Island? To enter from the castles main entrance, visitors must follow a long winding road and pass through a gated driveway equipped with surveillance cameras. The property later became Oheka Castle. Pathway to power: Gary Melius' rise through Long Island's cozy political system. Inside the "house" were 127 rooms, a grand library housing a secret passageway behind one of the bookcases, and 39 working fireplaces. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 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. Everyone from highly-esteemed diplomats to famous film stars attended the lavish events. (KEVIN P. COUGHLIN/Kevin P.. Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius (right) with his son, Thomas. "I don't know who would ever want to hurt someone so nice and generous and thoughtful. A family member drove Melius to the hospital, where he underwent surgery for a bullet wound to his forehead. [7] Ten years later, following a lawsuit, the building passed to one of Yokoi's daughters and her husband. He also holds an M.A. 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. They just shot him. In December, Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice, a Democrat, found no criminality in White's arrest. 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]. The historic Oheka Castle in Huntington is brimming with stories that would fill any bride's fantasies. Melius remains concerned for his welfare and that of his family, telling investigators he has no idea who is behind the hit. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. Visitors can tour other Historic Gold Coast Mansions, such as the Vanderbilt Museum, Old Westbury Gardens, Mill Neck Manor, and Coe Hall, which collectively were the inspiration for the classic novel, "The Great Gatsby"; relax on one of Long Island's beautiful sandy beaches; enjoy a classical music concert by the LI Philharmonic at the Tilles Center; or indulge in a wine tasting in Long Island's Wine Country on the North Fork. Melius was hospitalized for more than week, Police have had little to go on in the case, a Jeep Cherokee spotted driving away from the scene. document.write(new Date().getFullYear());. The kickback from the shot caused the gun to malfunction and likely saved his life, 1010 WINS News Director Ben Mevorach reported. Oheka Castle is the United States' second largest private home, and a hot spot for celebrity weddings including Kevin Jonas, Hillary Clinton's aide Huma Abedin, and media personality Megyn Kelly . Oheka Castle is one of Long Island's most exclusive hotels, located in Huntington, N.Y. Met Gala brings stunning fits and big reveals, Serena Williams debuts pregnancy on the Met Gala red carpet, Family still in pain after NYPD detective dies 33 years after shooting, Canadian folk singer Gordon Lightfoot dies at 84, Paying more despite good credit? The young man was arrested on an outstanding warrant while riding a county bus on Oct. 5. High-powered developer Gary Melius a heavy hitter in the blood sport of Long Island politics was shot in the head by a masked gunman in an apparent assassination attempt Monday outside his tony Oheka Castle, police said. Last year, he was at the heart of a political scandal that led to the resignation of Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Dale. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. If this near death experience has done anything, is a reminder to live each day, celebrate life and embrace your family.". He rebounded and bought it back for $30 million in 1998. They have reviewed the castles video surveillance footage, but it reportedly did not catch the face of the would-be killer. MacKidNPascack/TwitterThe castle was allegedly the inspiration behind the 1925 novel The Great Gatsby. 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. In 1988, unable to continue financing the massive project, Melius sold the property to Hideki Yokoi for $22.5 million. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Its a puzzle, says Newsdays Sandra Peddie. "When I first bought the property, it looked like something from a horror movie," Melius said. One law enforcement official told Newsday last year that, "simply put, there are so many suspects." He said he is recovering. Melius myriad business dealings? Otto Hermann Kahn used Oheka Castle as his family's summer home where they famously threw the most extravagant parties on the East Coast. The Gold Coast estate routinely hosts celebrity events, including a May 2012 benefit for pop star Debbie Gibson's charitable foundation. Oheka Castle, built by the industrialist Otto Herman Kahn (l. 1867-1934), is one of the best-known luxury hotels of Long Island, NY, USA today. Looking at the well-kept furnishings, it's difficult to believe that Oheka Castle was ever in disrepair. Its been nearly four years since someone shot Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius in the face, and the assassination attempt is still shrouded in mystery. "First place they look is my family so it was a tough thing to get used to," Melius said. What to Know About Tick, Lyme Season Following a Mild Winter, Former State Sen. Anna Kaplan Files to Run for George Santos, Rise in Minimum Wage Comes for New Yorkers, But Some Chafe at Compromise, National Grid Plans to Hike Gas Bills By 17%, Files Plan With Regulators, Shinnecock Voices: 6 Shinnecock Women Grow Kelp to Fight Climate Change & Save, Devils win first playoff series in 11 years triumph over Rangers in Game, Hispano borracho estrella su auto contra patrullero policial, Once Complete, This $16M Home Will Be One of Amagansetts. Melius boasts of friendships with King and Democratic Rep. Steve Israel. It took 18 months to scrape off the original paint from the railings during initial repairs. ", 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. The shooting was characterized by police as an assassination attempt but a year later, the case indeed appears to have gone cold, prompting friends and family to up the $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter. 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. It's been nearly four years since someone shot Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius in the face, and the assassination attempt is still . First published on February 24, 2015 / 7:08 PM. The grounds of Oheka Castle include a beautiful formal garden with a reflective pool amongst its trimmed bushes. Melius, who is as comfortable rubbing elbows with celebrities and former Presidents as he is with throwing elbows in rough-and-tumble Long Island politics, turned Oheka Castle from a decaying estate into a luxury hotel and events space. 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. A receiver has been appointed to oversee operations at Oheka Castle in Huntington as part of the ongoing foreclosure case brought by its lender. Was it a former business partner or rival? The property cost owner Otto Hermann Kahn a total of $11 million.

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