The young man was arrested on an outstanding warrant while riding a county bus on Oct. 5. Owner Gary Melius has spoken of plans to add more renovations and upgrades to Oheka Castle which would cost another $20 million. Gary Melius, the owner of Oheka Castle in Long Island, was shot Monday by a masked gunman, police said. "I don't know if you ever can ever get your reputation back," Melius said. No license plates were visible on either vehicle, Newsday reported. The 70-year-old developer and major political donor was getting into his Mercedes Benz in the estate's parking lot when the gunman fired a shot into his driver's side window. Dive into this mega-mansion's history and find out what makes it so special. A family member? Visitors to the estate must pass by its long driveway which is lined with manicured red cedar trees. Police stand in front of Oheka castle on Long Island after the owner Gary Melius was shot on the premises. (Bobby Bank/WireImage). It was the country home of investment financier and philanthropist Otto Hermann Kahn and his family. It was built 100 years ago on one of Long Island's highest points. "We've had our differences in the political realm," he said. 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. 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. Then, read about the European fugitive who faked his own death and was found living in his lavish French castle. (Credit: Melius Family). It began with hauling out 300 trailer trucks worth of trash over the first six months of repairs. Topics you care about, straight to your inbox. In 2016, then-Suffolk Police Commissioner Tim Sini released. Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. Melius undertook the largest private residential renovation project in the United States to restore the house, which was in a state of almost total disrepair, and recreate the gardens from the original Olmsted plans. 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. Newsday reporter discusses assassination attempt of Oheka Castle owner 4 years later. Melius has clearly gambled his life on Oheka Castle. Four years ago, he's shot in the middle of the day, and its captured on video, and there's no arrest.. The property later became Oheka Castle. 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. Police initially believed Melius was shot was he tried to climb into his car and got a lucky break when two bullets missed. Then, from 1948 to 1979 it was occupied by the Eastern Military Academy until it closed. Melius has engaged in political skirmishes with some of Long Island's most powerful officials, a high-ranking political source told the Daily News. Fifty years after Kahn's death, in 1984, current owner Gary Melius purchased Oheka Castle and began the arduous process of restoring the castle to its former glory. The kickback from the shot caused the gun to malfunction and likely saved his life, 1010 WINS News Director Ben Mevorach reported. 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. Meet Donald 'Pee Wee' Gaskins, The Cannibal Serial Killer Who Allegedly Murdered 90 People. 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. 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 owner, who also lives there, was shot by an unknown assailant Monday. Mevorach asked. And perhaps upon your visit one of my family members or even myself will have the privilege of meeting you. The young man was arrested on an outstanding warrant while riding a county bus on Oct. 5. 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. In 1939, the family sold the sprawling property to the Welfare Fund of the Sanitation Workers and Oheka Castle became a retirement home for the sanitation workers of New York City. Officials from both sides of the political aisle have often been his guests. Cops also hadn't determined how many shots were fired and had not interviewed the victim. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. Authorities set up informational checkpoints, interviewing passing motorists and anyone else who might have seen something useful. In shock," she said. The 70-year-old developer and major political donor. Theyve vowed to investigate every aspect of Melius life. Otto Kahn bought 443 acres of land in Cold Spring Harbor to build his family a lavish summer home in 1914. 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. "They wanted to help some way and felt, you know, really helpless," Melius said. It also offers a bar, restaurant, and mansion tours of the estate and gardens. Police said they don't know if the gunman and Melius exchanged any words before the shooting. 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. Melius once was nearly $6 million in debt, according to the Daily News, and owed the Trump Taj Mahal some $100,000 in 1992. Melius's friends are just amazed at his resilience. 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. August 29, 2014 / 11:47 AM It was finally abandoned in 1980 and stood forgotten for years. Last year, 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. A family member drove Melius to the hospital, where he underwent surgery for a bullet wound to his forehead. 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. This is shocking and sickening, he added. Melius, a supporter of the third-party candidate, then contacted Dale seeking to have the young man investigated. Kahn's dream house was a 109,000-square-foot French-style mansion with a grand staircase in the entryway foyer modeled after the Chateau de Fontainebleau in France. Restorations of Oheka Castle have cost $37 million over the last 20 years. Was it a former business partner or rival? The Cold Spring golf course and the property surrounding it that was. 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. 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. We spent dusk til dawn filming at Oheka Castle. Oheka Castle is said to be the inspiration behind Scott F. Fitzgerald's 1925 book. For the next four years, the building remained empty, during which time over 100 documented arson attempts occurred, all of which the building survived, demonstrating Kahn's success in building a fireproof building. 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. Detectives were scanning hours of surveillance video and visitor logs. 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. 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 . "It was an attempt at assassination . Who Makes The Best Margarita on Long Island? Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. "Somebody was watching over him. Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. Melius bought Oheka Castle in 1984 and soon began restoring it. What is The Best Tex-Mex Restaurant on Long Island? 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. HUNTINGTON, N.Y. - The politically connected owner of a storied mansion-turned-wedding palace who survived being shot in the head by a masked assailant earlier this year says his son was being investigated as a person of interest in the shooting, according to Newsday. State Supreme . Oheka Castle also been seen as a backdrop in a number of movies, including "Citizen Kane," television shows and magazine photo shoots, and it has been used for high-profile political events and fundraisers. Bleeding profusely, Melius stumbled back toward the castle. Gusoff asked. It was a big gamble, but it paid off. Its a puzzle, says Newsdays Sandra Peddie. "I feel good we're going to catch him, and hopefully, he'll get what's coming to him," Melius said. Thomas Melius is the biological son of Gary Melius' wife. Get the latest business insights from Dun & Bradstreet. "First place they look is my family so it was a tough thing to get used to," Melius said. ", Melius bought the Oheka Castle in 1984 for $1.5 million after it had fallen into disrepair. A view of Oheka Castle from afar. Last year, he was at the heart of a political scandal that led to the resignation of Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Dale. Gary Melius criticizes the former district attorney for not releasing the video immediately, says Peddie. 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. After surgery, he was alert and chatty in visits with family, friends and political bigwigs at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. (Veronique Louis for New York Daily News). The owner, who also lives there, was shot by an unknown assailant Monday. Link to logo, AAA Four Diamond Award Logo, Link to logo, Historic Hotels Worldwide Logo. Several years after Kahn's death in 1934, the estate was sold. Following a 911 call to police, officers, dogs and a police helicopter descended on the estate. The property was also the site of Kahn's daughter's wedding, which became the first of many wedding ceremonies hosted at Oheka Castle. Otto Kahn bought the land for $1 million $158 million in today's currency. Gary Melius, the owner of Oheka Castle in Huntington, N.Y., was shot Monday morning by a masked gunman. 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. #TheFBIs Investigators will review surveillance footage. A look at the swimming pool at Oheka Castle. Suffolk County Police declined to comment on the video surveillance Thursday. LaHilden/TwitterRestoration efforts to restore Oheka Castle to its former glory and upgrade amenities cost $37 million over 20 years. 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. 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. Orson Welles used its exterior to shoot some scenes there in 1940 for his American classic Citizen Kane. But even Ohekawhich borrows from the name of its originator, Otto Herman Kahnhas had some interesting reincarnations, too. 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. ", 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. "Are you any closer today, Gary, to knowing who did this to you?" Restoration efforts to restore Oheka Castle to its former glory and upgrade amenities cost $37 million over 20 years. The witness, Randy White, was a campaign worker for third-party candidate Andrew Hardwick. Not bad for a guy whod bankrolled the entire losing campaign of Manganos supposed opponent, Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwick, for $23,000. document.write(new Date().getFullYear());. The Gold Coast estate routinely hosts celebrity events, including a May 2012 benefit for pop star Debbie Gibson's charitable foundation. Castle owner Melius survived the shooting by a masked gunman in the . It's especially popular as a wedding venue and a filming location for a number of movies and TV shows including the hit HBO series Succession. "But I saw what it needed, that it could become something great.". 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. 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. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Gary Melius, 69 years old, was fired upon at least three times and was hit once on the right side of the head Monday in the parking lot of the castle, a popular event space he owns, Suffolk County . Details of the tapestry and chandeliers that adorn the inside of the estate. It doesn't appear to be an accidental shooting at this time.". The historic Oheka Castle in Huntington is brimming with stories that would fill any bride's fantasies. image: coldwell banker harbor light. He told them he has no idea who tried to kill him, and there are no known witnesses. Was Typhoid Mary A Reckless Superspreader Or A Tragic Victim? To enter from the castles main entrance, visitors must follow a long winding road and pass through a gated driveway equipped with surveillance cameras. Gary Melius, the owner of Oheka Castle in Long Island, was shot Monday by a masked gunman, police said. Whatever precipitated the shooting, it was likely connected to business not politics, Jacobs said Monday. The kickback must have caused the weapon to jam, because the shooter was seen on the video trying to fix the gun, Newsday reported. In 1948, Eastern Military Academy purchased the castle and 23 acres (9.3ha) of its property, bulldozed the gardens and subdivided the rooms. The property cost owner Otto Hermann Kahn a total of $11 million. Melius, a supporter of the third-party candidate, then contacted Dale seeking to have the young man investigated. He plays cards with Republican former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato. "They have not one thing to physically connect him to this. ", "MrBeast Reveals Why He Spent $1 Million for One Night in a Hotel", Gold Coast Mansions Historic Long Island Home, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oheka_Castle&oldid=1147042569. 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. The shooting was captured on surveillance video, which has not been released. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. The castle, built in 1919 by financier Otto Kahn, was used as a setting in the classic 1941 film "Citizen Kane.". In recent weeks, Melius spoke with law enforcement authorities investigating political corruption, the source said. The famous Gatsby mansion has also hosted 1920s-style parties, where the wealthy once again sip champagne while dressed in period-garb. 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. After the shooting, Rosenberg says, he managed to stagger back to the castle and call for help. 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. 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. What is permanently damaged is his reputation, after what he called a character assassination in the press that hurt more than the shooting. Oheka Castle owner recovering after murder attempt; Hunt for gunman continues By ABC13 Tuesday, February 25, 2014 HUNTINGTON, NY It happened on the mansion's lavish grounds in broad. According to sources cited by the newspaper, security footage shows a black sedan pulling into the valet area - followed by a Jeep Cherokee. It has since been converted into a 32-bedroom luxury hotel featuring a grand ballroom, restaurant and bar, a swimming pool, and more. Oheka Castle is one of Long Island's most exclusive hotels, located in Huntington, N.Y. "I don't know who would ever want to hurt someone so nice and generous and thoughtful. It took 18 months to scrape off the original paint from the railings during initial repairs. Gary Melius shooting still shrouded in mystery 4 years later. 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. (Paul Prince) Spota exited about an hour after his 11 a.m. arrival to see Melius, a poker buddy. Other features of the 443-acre (179ha) complex included an 18-hole golf course designed by golf architect Seth Raynor, one of the largest private greenhouse complexes in America, tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool, a landing strip, orchards, and stables. Gary Melius adopted him. All rights reserved. Melius is a prominent developer and political contributor and is well-known and well-liked. Melius said he has recovered from his injuries. A shooter tried to gun down Gary Melius, the powerful owner of Oheka Castlethe palatial hotel, restaurant, catering hall and frequent film set in Huntingtonbut Melius survived a gunshot wound to the head in broad daylight as he got into his car at the estate on Feb. 24. After the sale, it was used for several purposes, including as a retreat for New York City sanitation workers. Thank God!. Christopher Twarowski, Spencer Rumsey, Timothy Bolger and Rashed Mian, Melius call to former Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Dale, Private Guided Bike Tour Thru Wine CountryGet a Workout with Your Wine. Melius political dealings have also resulted in some controversy. Perhaps Fitzgerald might have described these nostalgic revelers with this fitting passage from Gatsby "boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.". 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. In 1984, Oheka was purchased by Gary Melius, a Long Island developer. The ex-senator had a lunch date scheduled with Melius on Monday until he learned of the shooting from Melius' daughter, according to Newsday. It became known as Oheka Castle, an acronym taken from his full name. In addition to weddings, the castle hosts fundraisers, galas and numerous other high-profile events. At the palatial residence Tuesday, Melius told Gusoff he has not lost faith in police, but hopes for new leads. John O'Sullivan said. "Some would ask, why not have that reward out there two weeks after or a month after?" 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. (Paul Prince/AP). Originally a 127-room "house," Oheka Castle is now a 32-bedroom hotel. Everyone from highly-esteemed diplomats to famous film stars attended the lavish events. ", 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. Melius, a major political donor deeply involved in Long Island politics, was shot in the head Monday around 12:30 p.m. Its massive size once made Oheka Castle the second largest private residence in the U.S., behind only the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. [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]. Oheka Castle is one of Long Island's most exclusive hotels, located in Huntington, N.Y. It's been nearly four years since someone shot Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius in the face, and the assassination attempt is still . (Paul Prince) The high-rolling target of a botched hit outside his Long Island. Visitors were greeted by a long driveway lined with manicured red cedar trees that led you into the property. 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. When I first saw OHEKA back in 1984, even in its devastated state, I fell in love. 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. He reportedly renegotiated its $27.9-million mortgage last August and had defaulted on the loan in 2012. Feb. 24, 2014. 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 owner of Oheka Castle, Gary Melius, was gunned down in his car, authorities said, by a suspect who may have been wearing a mask. With all his success, Kahn had some hard times too. This is the library at Oheka Castle which includes a secret passageway behind one of the bookshelves. 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. "When I first bought the property, it looked like something from a horror movie," Melius said. The district attorney found that Dale had instructed officers to arrest a 29-year-old Roosevelt man, who had testified in an unrelated case that he had been paid to collect signatures for a third-party candidate. Police found two full rounds at the scene, Newsday said. The who's who of high-society, international politicians, and, of course, famous Hollywood movie stars were regularly spotted at the residence. Melius may be the proprietor of one of Long Islands glitziest estates from the Gold Coast era, but in dress and demeanor he always strikes a very down-to-Earth pose as befits his roots as a kid from Queens. 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. It is now a popular wedding venue. Melius boasts of friendships with King and Democratic Rep. Steve Israel. He was rushed by a family member to nearby Syosset Hospital and was said to be alert and conscious after being transferred to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. 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. Who shot Melius and why? But the estate was no longer the playground for the rich and famous it once was. On February 24, 2014, Melius survived a gunshot to the head by a masked gunman in the parking lot of the castle. If this near- death experience has done anything it is a reminder to live each day, celebrate life and embrace your family. According to Newsday, Suffolk Deputy Chief Kevin Fallon said the sources' account cited by the paper was incorrect. The construction of Oheka Castle began in 1917 and was completed two years later. There is plenty to do during your visit to Long Island. 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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