The Biggest Mansions in America | DOCUMENTARY

[@deeking3683]

My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Asheville, NC. It had been a dream of mine to visit Biltmore. It was the second week of December and the mansion was all decorated for Christmas. It was absolutely gorgeous.

[@StellarAvenger]

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.

[@MH3GL]

Something akin to a modern Rome. We are travesty to ourselves.

[@black4460]

You can see a small glimpse of this in Rochester - East Avenue

[@lisadolan689]

Me too

[@equine2020]

These homes should have been maintained & kept. Americans love to destroy their past.

[@bubbaballer88]

@@equine2020Ain’t that the truth. In our haste to accommodate more housing or better skyscrapers, we often erase what should be historical landmarks.

[@eagander]

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

[@flmang]

Can I just say how much I appreciate you ignoring The One and not beating a dead horse by talking about something that everyone else has already attempted to use to get clicks? Shows real integrity. Much respect.

[@kaitourobin840]

Irony it was the only mansion I didn’t know about, so I was disappointed he skipped over it. I actually wanted to hear his perceptive and research of it. I am also not interested to click on those click bait videos to learn about it. Well, in the end, it doesn’t matter.

[@houseonahill4893]

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]

My favorite is Biltmore at Christmas

[@TheRange7]

I've never been to it, but it is clearly a work for the ages. I did visit the DuPont place in Pa. OMG, the grounds with all the various flowers and gardens is spectacular. His original small house is inside the mansion now. It's so cool. If i was a billionaire, I'd build the biggest and fanciest mansion the world ever saw. Why? SO I could open it up for all to see at no cost. These huge mansions (with the exception of "The One") are spectacular works of art. The One is just a huge pile of modern coldness with zero character whatsoever. IMO of course.

[@josephcampbell9351]

Lolllll. My home in San Jose, Ca is 3 blocks from the Winchester house….. I have never toured it😂😂😂😂😂

[@bubbaballer88]

How much damage did it take in the hurricane? I know it’s in Asheville (or in the immediate area) and saw that it on the news as taking damage but didn’t see a comprehensive report of damage.

[@carolynmills513]

​@@josephcampbell9351I have it's amazing

[@carylgibbs6094]

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! 🍷 ❤😊

[@roncross1945]

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.

[@millcity9711]

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]

So true!

[@bethbartlett5692]

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]

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

[@Laura-i2r9r]

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]

@@Laura-i2r9r Agree 100% I would love to be able to tour these amazing homes, so full of fine materials and incredible artistry.

[@rebahicks3619]

Biltmore house, is awesome. Been there 4 times. Can't get enough of it.

[@theunspoke815]

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!! 😜👍✌️

[@leslieking6259]

I lived in Lake Orion, Michigan for many years. I loved to visit Meadowbrook Hall. Also Henry Ford's Fairlane and the Edsel and Eleanor Ford's mansion.

[@deeking3683]

Can't believe I just came across your post little cousin. I remember you taking me to see them when I visited you.

[@Portia-oc6mr]

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

[@v.llamas]

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!

[@thomaskeiper4534]

No matter the house style, time period built, old or new, the Biltmore house and estate will always be # 1.

[@Skyfallz1]

Evil as hell too

[@hongry-life]

@@Skyfallz1 Why evil?

[@craigtiano3455]

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.

[@BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

Thank you for lending quite a perspective!

[@DeereX748]

By far my favorite is Biltmore. I live just an hour from it and have visited it many times over the years. It never gets old going there, always something you see you didn't see the time before.

[@dandiehm8414]

We visited Biltmore and were suitable impressed (how could you not be?). That being said, we preferred Hearst Castle. The grounds and style were the nicest I have seen (and those two pools!)

[@hongry-life]

From VanderBilt?

[@TeresaOneill-h2m]

Everyone is so beautiful! ❤❤❤

[@BlaiseMiller-bk7dk]

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

[@bethbartlett5692]

Definitely in my Top 3.

[@mileshigh1321]

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!

[@clarkstone-bear7742]

I was thinking the same thing

[@stephanied1028]

***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. **

[@seltexmx]

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

[@tennjen18]

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.

[@brettayou]

Was surprised to not see Hearst Castle on this list

[@loriboufford6342]

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

[@SMtWalkerS]

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]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rebeccaburke575]

I have been to Biltmore estate. It is amazing! It has only got part of rooms are open to touring. So beautiful at Christmas! ❤️😀

[@johnvonundzu2170]

"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.

[@jonclassical2024]

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!

[@davidslagle6600]

Just visited the Biltmore Estate a few weeks ago. It is absolutely stunning and well worth the trip!

[@p.mckenzie2921]

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.😘😘

[@scottweeks6379]

I live about 150 miles from Biltmore House and I've been there several times.....And will be heading back there at the end of this month for my birthday! What and absolutely wonderful place to see and visit! Can't wait to see it again ❤

[@deancameron6370]

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

[@MillerMeteor74]

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

[@sacredlovetarot1971]

Im partial to Lynnewood Hall a guilded age estate that is 77,000 to 110,000 square feet and sat on over 300 acres (30axres today), the house had been disrepair for awhile, about a year ago it was purchased by the Lynnwood hall foundation with plans of Restoration

[@robertagreenbank7613]

I love going thru the restored Antebellum homes!! Cant get enough of those.

[@Laura-i2r9r]

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❤😊👍🏻🙌🏻😌😌🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@christophersuzuki8992]

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]

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.

[@dandiehm8414]

@@ThisHouse Did you take into consideration the three guest houses square footage at Hearst Castle? They were integral to the design of the main house and were actually built first.

[@LJB103]

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]

Thanks for the tip!

[@lauriekeikkala9937]

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

[@Diz3r3d]

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

[@irishmike519]

Biltmore House is just magnificent. At the time the wife and I visited it, it was $40 a piece. Well worth the price. Greenhouse, winery, working orchard, working farm. Jaw dropping views of the mountains. Absolutely spectacular!

[@JaredRogers-q9i]

It's like $120 now. Having visited it numerous time due to the fact I'm just a little over an hour away It's kinda getting to the point of not really worth it. If you've never seen it then it will be worth it.

[@rascalgirl84]

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]

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

[@rascalgirl84]

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

[@tebelshaw9486]

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

[@nw133]

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

[@BarchBR00KS]

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.

[@johnclement9370]

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...

[@hongry-life]

They found(ed) them after the worldwide mud flood of around 1800 that covered all old already existing buildings in the world, dug them out and cleaned them up and then said that they owned them.

[@hongry-life]

Nobody of the current people built that stuff, it was already there from a previous civilization. The previous people were probably 8-10 feet tall, looking at the doors and windows. In India there are older buildings for people of like 20-30 feet tall.

[@colorado80401]

Biltmore, please! You know what I would love to see... The film "Clue" remade and filmed entirely at Biltmore. With a fresh murder mystery story and a fabulous cast, it's sure to be fantastic!

[@alexxstarr27]

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

[@loriboufford6342]

If you're ever in Oakland County, Michigan, i highly recommend the Meadowbrook Hall tour. You really get up close and personal to some astonishing woodwork. Simply gorgeous and amazing 😍

[@thomascefalo938]

I loved your comment on the NYC Vanderbilt mansion re: “…before it was introduced to the wrecking ball…” 😄

[@vivaldi1948]

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.

[@jilltagmorris]

Thanks Ken ❤🎉😊

[@danielmorris7648]

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

[@JoJoJoker]

What was upstairs? Seems like a great place to have folks over to the house!

[@megwolff58]

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

[@MyLordLives777]

I’ve been to the Biltmore house back in the 90’s. It’s a fabulous place, and since then, it’s expanded largely. You need several days to see everything.

[@esleyhamilton4056]

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

[@StamperWendy]

Thanks, Ken! Keep it up 💯😘

[@charlesmagers4927]

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

[@ferraridan4883]

What about The Breakers and Lynnewood Hall ?

[@davidbrims5825]

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

[@christinacody8653]

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]

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

[@LJB103]

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.

[@kimtillery1948]

These house r enormous 😮😮😮

[@helenhershtjader5759]

Would love to visit Winterthur. Biltmore is amazing, especially in the fall and around the Christmas holiday.

[@bubbaballer88]

Oheka Castle and Biltmore are stunning, but I also have an appreciation for the Gilded Age mansions that take up an entire block in the city.

[@krazyj1957]

My Grandparents lived a couple miles from Biltmore. As a child, I never visited it but after my wife and I married we started touring it once a year. Have been back since my grandmother passed in 1995.

[@GlennMandeville154]

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.....😢

[@porcelainthunder2213]

Note: the picture supposedly of fountains at Winterthur is actually of Longwood, another DuPont family estate a few miles up the road and renowned for its gardens.

[@claireburkus8497]

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 KZbin 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!!!

[@RobertMurray-b1e]

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.

[@Kodakcompactdisc]

Marvelous video 👏🏾

[@DKE323]

What were the three floors below used for in whitemarsh hall

[@jonathandevillez4040]

Plum orchard, on Cumberland Island is amazing

[@joeblossic8864]

In the photos on Winterthur (Delaware) is one of the fountains at Longwood Gardens (Pennsylvania). Both are former DuPont estates but different family members.

[@johnedward5520]

Another great video!

[@garryferrington811]

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

[@leodannyportal]

You do a great job!

[@tesscameron3699]

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

[@jewlzbulls]

enjoyed this video… thank you

[@kevinsaroz]

Biltmore is and will always be my #1.

[@robertagreenbank7613]

Just now reading Empty Mansions byDedman and Paul Clark Newell. Its about W.A. Clarks life, how he made his millions!! Its quite a story. Lots of money in the Clark family, but he isnt talked about much. Saw u put his extravagante home in New York on your video! Sad to think that it cost millions to build and it was taken down in less than 20 yrs¡!

[@shaindaman13]

I live very close to Biltmore Estate. Been through it before. It’s something else.

[@staceywest8760]

Thank you for your informative research! One request would be to show the name of the estate. I would have appreciated that.

[@darkfire007]

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

[@tennjen18]

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]

Ditto 🧐

[@dandiehm8414]

And its three guest houses.

[@ronaldweaver6791]

Can you do a dedicated video about Clark's Folly in Manhattan? The William Clark mansion along 5th Avenue? What happened to his underground railroad to bring coal into his mansion? What Salon was ripped out and placed in a D.C. Museum?

[@mariannejohnson6529]

Empty Mansions by Bill Dedman is the story of the daughter of William Clark. Her name was Huguette Clark. It’s a fascinating story about her life as the heir to her father’s copper mines.

[@timloveless5409]

@@mariannejohnson6529 Yes a very interesting story. After reading it I retraced W A Clarks tracks in Las Vegas, Bisby AZ and of course Clarksdale. I took the mine tours in those towns. It is amazing that Huguette lived all those years and still had $200 million in the bank when she died in 2011.

[@robertagreenbank7613]

I love Marble Hall, Henry Flaglers home in Palm Beach! A must see!

[@michellegriffith4200]

Growing up in Pittsburgh, my grandfather worked at the Frick mansion. I always wondered why a few people in a family needed 130 bedrooms.

[@rodmakermagazine7117]

There was a near twin to Whitemarsh Hall, designed by the same architect. I'm surprised it wasn't included. To my knowledge, it is being restored.

[@scsmith4604]

I live about a mile from Meadow Brook. Really interesting place.

[@Vivaldi111]

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.

[@g.v.hedgpeth2602]

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

[@bethbartlett5692]

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

[@bethbartlett5692]

Largest, not necessarily most desirable.

[@TammyConn]

My favorite has always been Seaview Terrace in Newport R.I. It's large enough to be consider a mansion but small enough to be a home.

[@dustygerlach7618]

Though these are touted as the biggest, nothing is more elaborate then the Mansions in Newport RI, The Vanderbilts summer cottage the Breakers, The Marble House, The Elm House, Rosecliff, where The Great Gastby and True Lies location was filmed. it is a great tour to go on

[@mr.x8259]

So awe-inspiring.

[@2KITTIES-CLRR]

The Mansion in the opening looks like the one the used in the series DARK SHADOWS - the Biltmore Estate !!!

[@LJB103]

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

[@anthonyk423]

What was the square footage of WhiteMarsh Hall

[@freelanceopportunist559]

It's so sad these beautiful structures get torn down. Props to the lady that invited the public to tour the house, and had them strip the ornate architectural elements to be repurposed.

[@robertpalmer5599]

How big is the Hearst castle ?

[@madvente]

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

[@ThisHouse]

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

[@LJB103]

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

[@ThisHouse]

@@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

[@radekg81]

Lynnewood Hall ??

[@ThisHouse]

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]

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

[@dshudson]

If you've never been Rhode Island is so rich in history with these buildings especially The Breakers

[@marksamuelsen2750]

My sister was married in OHEKA CASTLE . I knew the owner (GM) and he didn’t charge me a penny. He was and is a Great Man.

[@susanfalconedaquino3623]

I sang in Oheka Castle, a friend of ours got married there. Enrico Caruso sang in the library there.

[@DustinKlein-l1r]

What a shame that most of these were demolished. 😢 Biltmore is hard to beat, so magical.