The Biggest Mansions in America

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

[@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.

[@user-sg6ji2kk3u]

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]

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

[@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! 🍷 ❤😊

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!!

[@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.

[@BlaiseMiller-bk7dk]

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

[@bethbartlett5692]

Definitely in my Top 3.

[@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

[@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!

[@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 🧐

[@MillerMeteor74]

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

[@Portia-oc6mr]

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

[@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!

[@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. ***

[@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.

[@deancameron6370]

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

[@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.😘😘

[@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!

[@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!

[@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...

[@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.

[@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.

[@loriboufford6342]

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

[@nw133]

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

[@tesscameron3699]

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

[@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.

[@lauriekeikkala9937]

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

[@user-sg6ji2kk3u]

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❤😊👍🏻🙌🏻😌😌🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@seltexmx]

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

[@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!! 😜👍✌️

[@StamperWendy]

Thanks, Ken! Keep it up 💯😘

[@Kodakcompactdisc]

Marvelous video 👏🏾

[@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

[@garryferrington811]

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

[@johnedward5520]

Another great video!

[@mikenixon2401]

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

[@jilltagmorris]

Thanks Ken ❤🎉😊

[@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.

[@mr.x8259]

So awe-inspiring.

[@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.

[@leodannyportal]

You do a great job!

[@Diz3r3d]

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

[@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!

[@antoinejackson4311]

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

[@NelsonClick]

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

[@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.

[@pamelah6431]

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

[@carylgibbs6094]

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

[@ThisHouse]

Here is the full story: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pX26m59od5qVZposi=xzsfuVyeVVrZ0j2G

[@Shahrdad]

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

[@walteranthony6435]

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-wp3bb4yn8h]

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.

[@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

[@heatherjones6647]

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

[@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.....😢

[@megwolff58]

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

[@prawnstar9213]

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

[@Walker983]

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

[@Dao0253]

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

[@ThisHouse]

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).

[@charlesmagers4927]

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

[@user-hc4xm8yp7c]

I love the Biltmore

[@mixrousefamily687]

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

[@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

[@MrInzeo]

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

[@stephenjablonsky1941]

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

[@garygloska7396]

Biltmore for me I hope it survives the tribulation to come

[@christinacody8653]

Why do you say that?

[@garygloska7396]

@@christinacody8653 wake up

[@stuartm6069]

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

[@garygloska7396]

@@stuartm6069 the great tribulation For 7 years

[@MsPearlontheshore]

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

[@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. 😢

[@emmajohnson6955]

Miss my Woolworth

[@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.

[@KarenRose70]

Forgot the former Spelling Manor

[@ThisHouse]

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

[@KarenRose70]

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

[@esleyhamilton4056]

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

[@andrelemire9915]

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@leomarkaable1]

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

[@troystravels615]

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?.

[@disenchanter]

beginning to see a trend here.

[@charlesmagers4927]

You forgot Lynnwood hall

[@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.

[@curiousworld7912]

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.

[@bethranger9883]

My favorite is the Vanderbilt

[@LJB103]

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

[@bethranger9883]

@@LJB103 NY. Manison

[@rickroy9074]

Did I miss Lynwood Hall??

[@tebelshaw9486]

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

[@williamsmith5549]

The One. Lord, lol.

[@michellew9833]

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

[@mortymbg13]

Heast Castle?

[@mixrousefamily687]

Destroying #10 with dynamite. Just crazy!

[@maryc6189]

Locations?

[@BamBamBigelow..]

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

[@mikenixon2401]

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

[@zovalentine7305]

Maybe very social and party people

[@zovalentine7305]

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

[@jimwiskus8862]

100%

[@jimwiskus8862]

Wow! You out did yourself with this one! ❤

[@Alex-tk2ru]

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

[@gailm9543]

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

[@BlaineShire]

Who does the captions?

[@nicholaslarson8476]

I thought Lynnwood Hall was #2??

[@merryfergie]

How many of the top 10 mansions survived to this day?

[@LJB103]

Harbor Hill, Whitemarsh Hall, and the Cornelius Vanderbilt II and Senator Clark NYC mansions have been demolished. The rest are still standing.

[@bethbartlett5692]

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.

[@bethbartlett5692]

Richard Morris Hunt's works are so Victirian busy .. there's something of a "ditto machine" that comes to mind re Hunt.

[@the5-starreview871]

i am inclined to call these large dwellings Embassies.

[@snhguy9464]

Dude, straighten out the audio on your channel. Your content is outstanding, but can understand about every third word because of the poor audio quality.

[@blueraven5242]

THAT IS WRONG ... THE GATBY MANSION WAS IN GREAT NECK LI NY

[@Lala-up3ib]

Harbor Hill 3 years to build?😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@johngion2]

You forgot Linnwood Hall in pennsylvania.

[@ThisHouse]

Lynnewood Hall is “only” about 70,000 sqft, and comes in tied with 16th place for the largest home ever built in the US

[@johngion2]

@@ThisHouse I love Lynnwood Hall! I hope someone saves it.

[@tebelshaw9486]

​@@johngion2I toured it legally in the 1990's. I hear the county is doing something with it now.

[@cmecre8629]

good job. Mr. Hearst must be rolling in his grave

[@LJB103]

Only #19 in size.

[@eringomez-watters7881]

I wonder how many of these are haunted?!😮

[@alex0589]

disappointed you glossed over "the one", i kinda wanted an incoherent, cocaine-fueled 3 hour tour...next time?

[@ThisHouse]

😂

[@sherriianiro747]

I know! Who cares? Just tell it like it is already!