Gary Melius told the paper that he believes police spent several months looking into his son, 34-year-old Thomas Melius, because of his problems with drugs, but could not connect him to the crime. At the time of its construction, the French-style chateau wasand still is todaythe second-largest private residence ever built in America. ", Oheka Castle is one of Long Island's most exclusive hotels, located in Huntington, N.Y. Learn about the life and times of Otto H. Kahn and his country home OHEKA, the second largest private residence in America, and stand in the footsteps of dignitaries, socialites and Hollywood celebrities both past and present. In 1941, OHEKA appeared as Xanadu in the opening montage of the classic filmCitizen Kane,starring Orson Welles. The estate, now valued north of $40 million, is said to have inspired F. Scott Fitgeralds The Great Gatsby and was used in exterior shots to represent the mythic Charles Foster Kanes Xanadu in Citizen Kane. She is related to Thomas Scalia, Vining Melius and Elena Melius. Gary Melius adopted him. He miraculously survived and eventually recovered, more or less. Celebrities who have been married there include Curtis Martin, Kevin Jonas,[10][11] Megyn Kelly,[12] Joey Fatone,[13] Brian McKnight, former U.S. congressman Anthony Weiner,[14] and comedian Yannis Pappas. Gary Melius has hosted several celebrity events at his castle, including Debbie Gibson's 2nd annual Gibson Girl Foundation Benefit on May 21, 2012. (KEVIN P. COUGHLIN/Kevin P. Coughlin/Flying Dog Pho), Frank Mackay, chairman of Suffolk's Independence Party, called the shooting "gutless.". I have a lot to say, but I am not going to say much, said Melius in his message. Please follow if youd like to show your support! No expense was spared on the property with the grounds and formal gardens designed by the Olmsted Brothers, sons of the imitable Frederick Law Olmstead, the legendary landscape designer of Central Park. All rights reserved. Pathway to power: Gary Melius' rise through Long Island's cozy political system. You might be using private browsing or have notifications blocked. California Privacy Rights | He wanted to buy Oheka Castle. 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. The Suffolk County Police Department declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. $20 plus tax. The 109,000-square-foot castle hosted the 2010 wedding of then-Congressman Anthony Weiner and Huma Abedin. In 2003, Melius bought back the castle for $6.9 million. Kevin McCarthy Pays Off Marjorie Taylor Greene and Paul Gosar. OHEKA became a radio operator's school for the Merchant Marines. 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. Ranked #10 of 235 Restaurants in Huntington. Whatever precipitated the shooting, it was likely connected to business not politics, Jacobs said Monday. Privacy Policy and More than 222 windows and doors were replaced with custom-made duplicates. Newsday has found unreported information raising new questions about the scandal. And now, the FBI is getting involved. The Bar & Restaurant is officially re-named OHK Bar & Restaurant. But through him, a portrait emerges of how the game is played and how hard it may be to change. 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. Melius had tried to redevelop the property unsuccessfully for two decades. White wasnt a wanted felon, but he had given testimony that jeopardized Andrew Hardwicks third-party bid for Nassau County executive. In 2004, Oheka was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Oheka is alive and well, Melius said in his video address. When Melius fell on hard times financially in 1988, he sold the property to a Japanese company. That cannot beright., The shooting, though, has shed a new light on all of Meliuss past dealings, as well as his crown jewel, the Castle. In 1988, unable to continue financing the massive project, Melius sold the property to Hideki Yokoi for $22.5 million. The handcrafted wrought-iron railing on the Grand Staircase took two months to be refurbished. A conversation with macroeconomic analyst Jon Turek. Several years after Kahn's death in 1934, the estate was sold. OHEKA has been celebrating the art of entertaining since 1919, when OHEKA's first bride, Maud Kahn, hosted her wedding in the Grand Ballroom. OHEKA has been celebrating the art of entertaining since 1919, when OHEKA's first bride, Maud Kahn, hosted her wedding in the Grand Ballroom. As could be expected, Oheka Castle is a favorite for weddings, but a dream wedding there wont come cheap. One way to measure the sustaining power of Long Islands network of insiders is to witness how Melius struggled during the 90s, when, operating outside his network of political connections, he tried to rebound from a financial meltdown. The Kahn Family Motto was "Ever Restlessly Forward.". Intent on preserving the authenticity of OHEKA, architects, historians, and researchers were brought in to corroborate every detail. It was edited by Martin Gottlieb and Alan Finder. The Ballroom is 726 x 325 with a 24 ceiling height. The Ultimate Romantic Evening Package for two, which includes exclusive use of the ballroom (four hours), Dom Perignon, a string quartet (one hour), and a special gift from Tiffanys is$15,000. Gary Melius has a vast and complicated business enterprise, so that means there are a lot of places to look. The logo is inspired by an original logo created by Otto H. Kahn in the 1920's. The French Garden at Oheka Castle boasts various plants and reflecting pools. Meet 55-year-old Pamela M Melius, she is the lovely wife of property developer, Gary Melius owner of the Oheka Catsle An Historic Mansion situated on the Gold Coast of Long Island between New York City and The Hamptons. Undoubtedly, Oheka was built to entertain. In 2015, Wildest Dreams singer Taylor Swift used Oheka as the backdrop for her song Blank Space. In the music video, Taylor Swift and her beau fall madly in love and then argue passionately inside Ohekas walls until she has another name to write in a blank space for a new man in her life. The estate served as a summer home for Otto Kahn, his wife Addie, and their four children. In 1984, he bought Oheka, built in 1919 as the financier Otto Kahns faux French chateau, for $1.45 million. It was inconceivable, said Gary Lewi, once the press secretary for Senator DAmato. Largely responsible was brilliant, politically connected lawyer Richard Hartman, who became one of his two great mentors. Link to logo, AAA Four Diamond Award Logo, Link to logo, Historic Hotels Worldwide Logo. 2014 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This project was reported and written by Gus Garcia-Roberts, Keith Herbert, Sandra Peddie and Will Van Sant with contributions from Aisha Al-Muslim, Matt Clark, Paul LaRocco, Maura McDermott and Adam Playford. Still, Dale resigned under pressure and his chief of detectives decided to retire rather than be demoted. Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra had many a party goer doing the Fox Trot and the Charleston with jazz hits like 1926s Clap Yo Hands, written by a young George and Ira Gershwin, and 1928s Crazy Rhythm. Definitely eyebrow raising during those days. The billionaire was moving assets out of Japan as he awaited his fate. The OHEKA Bar & Restaurant opened to the public. Melius survived, somehow, with a single bullet grazing his face. A family member? The Oheka Castle property in Huntington took another step towards foreclosure as the judge in the case dismissed defense claims and appointed a referee. He plays cards with Republican former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato. Advertise with Newsday | . 2 years were spent building the hill on which the estate was to be built, making it the highest point on Long Island. When Otto died, the estate passed hands several times, serving as retreat for sanitation workers and a training facility for Merchant Marines. People who are unhoused already use the citys hospitals all the time. "I am disappointed and surprised, and I disagree vehemently," he fumed then. document.write(new Date().getFullYear());. Police said they don't know if the gunman and Melius exchanged any words before the shooting. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. His son Roger Wolfe Kahn went on to become a popular musician performing the chart-topping hits of his day during the twenties and thirties. The gunman shot. A total of 222 windows and doors were installed to seal and protect the estate. Police were not aware of any prior threats on Melius' life, O'Sullivan said. Website. Today, OHEKA celebrates in 21st century style and enjoys the reputation as one of the OHEKA CASTLE commemorates 100 years of history throughout 2019. He joined civic boards. Actor and director Orson Welles used shots of Oheka to depict the cavernous Xanadu after Oheka in the classic movie, Citizen Kane. (Bobby Bank/WireImage). Nobody put a gun to him or said, We want your money. They just shothim., A plumber by trade, Melius made millions in construction and as a real estate developer. 500 Red Cedars were planted and now line West Gate Drive leading to the courtyard to further restore the estate to its original design. Gary Melius was shot at point blank range while getting into his car in the parking lot of his Long Island venue - Oheka Castle - on February 24. Of Course Ivana Left Donald Trump Out of Her Will. Photo credits: Michael E. Ach, Nick Cardillicchio, Bill Davis, J. Michael Dombroski, Chuck Fadely, Thomas A. Ferrara, Elliott Kaufman, Dick Kraus, Patrick E. McCarthy, Robert Mecea, Megan Miller, John Paraskevas, Jim Peppler, David L. Pokress, Alan Raia, Howard Schnapp, Barry Thumma/Associated Press, Chris Ware, J. Conrad Williams Jr., Stan Wolfson, Nassau County Government, Associated Press, Privacy Policy | It also has been Long Islands unofficial political clubhouse, filled with party endorsement meetings, political tributes and fundraisers, exclusive poker games and man-cave cigar gatherings. Castles in America takes a deep dive to you guessed it: Castles in America! By the mid-1970s, Melius was making his way on Long Island, having emerged from five sets of criminal charges without jail time. One law enforcement official told Newsday last year that, "simply put, there are so many suspects." Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius (right) with his son, Thomas. Although the shooting occurred in. For more information email legacybricks@oheka.com. On February 24, 2014, Melius survived a gunshot to the head by a masked gunman in the parking lot of the castle. Police are still looking for the shooter. The owner, who also lives there, was shot by an unknown assailant Monday. In 1984, real estate developer Gary Melius, whose previous claim to fame was a producer for a certain, shall we say, risqu movie, bought Oheka for a mere $1.5 million dollars. The Associated Press contributed to this report. ", Melius bought the Oheka Castle in 1984 for $1.5 million after it had fallen into disrepair. Gary Melius, owner of Oheka Castle, the upscale catering hall and hotel in Huntington, said in the statement that he believes God was watching out for him after he was shot in the head while . To celebrate OHEKA's Centennial, the Castle is offeringEngraved Legacy Bricks for guests past and present to commemorate their OHEKA Moment for future generations. Pam and Gary have made $870,000 in campaign contributions since the 1990s including $11,000 to Gov. Thirty two of the rooms have been converted into guestrooms ranging in rates from the close to the mid hundreds per night Chateau rooms to the over $1000 per night Olmsted Suites with views overlooking the Great Lawn, formal gardens, and reflecting pools. Some Republicans are proposing unstructured debates for the 2024 primaries. Improve this listing. In 2016, then-Suffolk Police Commissioner Tim Sini released. 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. NEXT EVENTS May 11, 2022 FRIENDS OF OHEKA Annual Meeting Wednesday, May 11 7:30PM JUNE 8, 2022 Garden Party 2022 Otto Hermann Kahn, his wife Addie, and 4 children used OHEKA as their summer home and weekend retreat. In 1984, Oheka was purchased by Gary Melius, a Long Island developer. The name OHEKA is an acronym for Otto HErmann KAhn. Cops also hadn't determined how many shots were fired and had not interviewed the victim. Gary Melius, through his Huntington-based Kahn Property Owner LLC, the entity that owns the castle, is seeking an additional use permit that will allow the construction of a four-story. He gave $1,000 to DAmatos 1980 Senate campaign, which he would follow over decades with more contributions to a range of politicians. The Metropolitan Riveters are playing their home games this season at New Jerseys American Dream mall. The ex-senator had a lunch date scheduled with Melius on Monday until he learned of the shooting from Melius' daughter, according to Newsday. "He said he had enough to put people in federal prison.". 85% of the estate and gardens have been fully restored. Then he quickly cemented ties with the newly elected county executive, Edward Mangano. In 2013, Randy White, a man with a learning disability, was pulled off a bus and arrested. Link to logo, AAA Four Diamond Award Logo, Link to logo, Historic Hotels Worldwide Logo. / CBS/AP. Gary Melius received an unexpected call in 1988. Melius, 69, was struck down about 12:30 p.m. as he climbed into his Mercedes in the valet parking lot of the Huntington castle he calls home, Suffolk County police said. A special 100-Year Celebration commemorative coin is available for purchase on the premises of OHEKA CASTLE throughout 2019. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. With the addition of the Terrace Room, OHEKA, currently 115,000 square feet, comprises 117 rooms and 50 baths. Otto Kahn's daughter, Maud, marries on June 15, 1920, and becomes OHEKA's first bride. A total of 300 - 30 yard containers (9000 yards) were used to discard all the debris. It came from a broker for a Japanese billionaire facing prison time for a fatal fire in a hotel he owned that lacked sprinklers. A new low in Santoss long history of alleged scams. Despite his past record, the Huntington Town Board allowed him to operate Oheka commercially. They own one of the finest venues in the world. At its low point four years ago this Saturday Melius was nearly assassinated in its rear parking lot, in a still-unsolved crime. 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 head . 44 London Plane trees were planted in the Formal Gardens to replace the missing trees that existed in the original design. Production: Saba Ali, Jeff Basinger, Raychel Brightman, Daryl Becker, Anthony Carrozzo, Matthew Cassella, Bobby Cassidy, Tara Conry, Susan Yale, Mario Gonzalez, Joseph Hegyes, Greg Inserillo, Sumeet Kaur, John Keating, Jessica Kelley, TC McCarthy, Ryan Restivo, Chris Ware, Yeong-ung Yang OHEKA We are members of the Long Island community and beyond who love OHEKA Castle. (Andrew Theodorakis/New York Daily News). Gary Melius, the owner of the West Hill property, applied for an additional use permit that would enable construction of a four-story condominium on the castle's grounds, Newsday reported..