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. (Andrew Theodorakis/New York Daily News). Originally a 127-room "house," Oheka Castle is now a 32-bedroom hotel. According to its current owner Gary Melius, the property "looked like something from a horror movie" when he first bought it in 1984. They said they will have an investigator with intricate knowledge of the case handling the calls. "I am disappointed and surprised, and I disagree vehemently," he fumed then. If this near- death experience has done anything it is a reminder to live each day, celebrate life and embrace your family. Gunfire at the Castle: Who Shot Oheka's Owner? And Why? - LI Press 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. This is the library at Oheka Castle which includes a secret passageway behind one of the bookshelves. "Yeah, I asked him, I asked him very strong and there's nothing," Melius said. In a lawsuit Democrats filed to challenge Hardwick's nominating petitions, White testified he was paid per signature, not by the hour, by Hardwick's campaign. The castle's parties were so famous that they allegedly inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, which features opulent ftes at a lavish estate. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Developer Is Shot in the Head Outside His Long Island Castle "It was not a robbery," D'Amato told Newsday after leaving his pal's hospital room, where cops were posted outside. Castle owner Melius survived the shooting by a masked gunman in the . 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. A family member drove Melius to the hospital, where he underwent surgery for a bullet wound to his forehead. 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. Its original 443-acre plot has shrunk to 23 acres over the last century. The castle, built in 1919 by financier Otto Kahn, was used as a setting in the classic 1941 film "Citizen Kane.". Melius boasts of friendships with King and Democratic Rep. Steve Israel. 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. 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. Melius was hospitalized for more than week. Police believe the Jeep carried the masked, hooded shooter who climbed out of the car and walked straight to Melius. Police stand in front of Oheka Castle on Long Island after owner Gary Melius was shot on the premises Monday. 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. Four years ago, he's shot in the middle of the day, and its captured on video, and there's no arrest.. The shooting was captured on surveillance. It was the country home of investment financier and philanthropist Otto Hermann Kahn and his family. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. 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]. 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. What is known, is that the king and his castle will never be the same. The young man was arrested on an outstanding warrant while riding a county bus on Oct. 5. Oheka Castle, which is also a hotel offering $1,095-a-night . But at Manganos second inauguration, Melius was basking on stage as one of the honored guests seated in rows behind the podium, where he chatted with Congressman Steve Israel (D-Huntington). They have reviewed the castles video surveillance footage, but it reportedly did not catch the face of the would-be killer. Oheka Castle: A Modern Day "Gatsby" Mansion | The Extravagant "When I first bought the property, it looked like something from a horror movie," Melius said. Castle Owner's Connections Investigated in Shooting - WSJ 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. 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. It's nothing but a miracle.". Oheka Castle shooting: Complete coverage - Newsday Long Island Suffolk Oheka Castle shooting: Complete coverage A Suffolk County police patrol car in front of the entrance to Oheka. Thomas Melius is the biological son of Gary Melius' wife. 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. Gary Melius criticizes the former district attorney for not releasing the video immediately, says Peddie. On Feb. 24 of last year, a masked gunman drove up to the renowned catering hall and opened fire. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The paper reports records show that Thomas Melius was released from a months-long jail stint just five days before his father was shot. Not bad for a guy whod bankrolled the entire losing campaign of Manganos supposed opponent, Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwick, for $23,000. In 2013, 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. 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. document.write(new Date().getFullYear());. 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. . 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. Now that you've learned about the multimillion-dollar Oheka Castle in Long Island, go inside nine abandoned castles that are now haunting shells of their former glory. I happen to be blessed with a very very large extended family who rallied to my side during the past 24 hours. 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. 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. 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. 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. This case is the biggest whodunit to hit Long Island in recent memory. August 29, 2014 / 11:47 AM The financier had created the 109,000-square-foot manor in 1919. State Supreme . Restorations of Oheka Castle have cost $37 million over the last 20 years. First published on February 24, 2015 / 7:08 PM. (Credit: Melius Family). 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. The castle is now a hotel with 32 guest rooms and suites. Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius (right) with his son, Thomas. "We've had our differences in the political realm," he said. Melius offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The 70-year-old developer and major political donor. The famous Gatsby mansion has also hosted 1920s-style parties, where the wealthy once again sip champagne while dressed in period-garb. Our Fabulous Variety Show Open Level Tween + Adult Tap Dance for Ages 11+ at Project Most! Peddie and a team of reporters at Newsday worked extensively to report on the life and times of Melius, a political power broker who hosted lavish fundraisers and poker nights with elected officials at his vintage castle. Melius has changed his security procedures since the incident, but doesn't give the shooting a second thought. During World War II, Oheka Castle became a radio operator's school for the Merchant Marines. Get the latest business insights from Dun & Bradstreet. It is now a popular wedding venue. Gary Melius, owner of Oheka Castle in Long Island, was shot on Monday. Melius political dealings have also resulted in some controversy. [15], Interactive map showing Oheka Castles location, U.S. National Register of Historic Places, "Oheka Castle, a Historic Hotels of America member", "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Oheka", New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, "Guest Services at Oheka Luxury Amenities in Long Island", "Weiner weds Clinton aide at Oheka Castle", "Developer Is Shot in the Head Outside His Long Island Castle", "That mega house in Liam Payne's new music video may look familiar", "Jennifer Lopez & Maluma Get Steamy in Sexy Two-Part Music Video! The young man was arrested on an outstanding warrant while riding a county bus on Oct. 5. Copyright 2023 WABC-TV. In 1948, Eastern Military Academy purchased the castle and 23 acres (9.3ha) of its property, bulldozed the gardens and subdivided the rooms. Gary Melius, the owner of Oheka Castle in Long Island, was shot on Monday by a masked shooter. The historic Oheka Castle in Huntington is brimming with stories that would fill any bride's fantasies. Who Makes The Best Cookies on Long Island? The employees entrance at the rear of the property, however, has no such securityand provides a quicker exit. AUCHAN RETAIL INTERNATIONAL - Dun & Bradstreet He plays cards with Republican former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato. "I not only don't know -- I can't think of why anybody who would kill me," Melius said. The property was also the site of Kahn's daughter's wedding, which became the first of many wedding ceremonies hosted at Oheka Castle. Cops believe the black sedan was the lookout car, Newsday's sources said. 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. Hed take a seat at the polished table, hang out and listen, and if the topic could include his pet politics, the Independence Party, hed be grateful and never preach. Melius was shot in the head in the attack last year. "Some would ask, why not have that reward out there two weeks after or a month after?" Last year, he was at the heart of a political scandal that led to the resignation of Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Dale. 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. But he declined to give them specific details, Newsday said. 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. But something about the castle must have had a deep hold on him because he could not walk away from it. Thank God!. MacKidNPascack/TwitterThe castle was allegedly the inspiration behind the 1925 novel The Great Gatsby. Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. With all his success, Kahn had some hard times too. 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. Okeha Castle Owner Speaks About Shooting Incident - YouTube Oheka Castle Owner Says Shooting That Wounded Him Remains Mystery One One law enforcement official told Newsday last year that, "simply put, there are so many suspects." The Cold Spring golf course and the property surrounding it that was. 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. Who shot Melius and why? After the shooting, Rosenberg says, he managed to stagger back to the castle and call for help. Owner Shot in Head at Oheka Castle, Prominent Wedding Venue on Long The shooting was captured on surveillance video, which has not been released. 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. Independence Party Chairman Frank Mackay, a close confidante of Melius, was in Louisiana with his family when the shooting occurred and was almost overcome with worry. The moment the Oheka Castle's owner was shot in his Mercedes February 25, 2016 | 3:25pm. First published on August 29, 2014 / 11:47 AM. After surgery, he was alert and chatty in visits with family, friends and political bigwigs at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. Owner Gary Melius has spoken of plans to add more renovations and upgrades to Oheka Castle which would cost another $20 million. There is plenty to do during your visit to Long Island. The property cost owner Otto Hermann Kahn a total of $11 million. 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. Who Makes The Best Margarita on Long Island? The owner of Oheka Castle, Gary Melius, told NBC 4 New York that his stepson Tommy has been "put through the ringer" by police for the last four months in connection with the Feb. 24 shooting. 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. Gary Melius | New York Post This is shocking and sickening, he added. For years, Oheka Castle was the site of the hottest parties on the East Coast. Orson Welles used its exterior to shoot some scenes there in 1940 for his American classic Citizen Kane. He reportedly renegotiated its $27.9-million mortgage last August and had defaulted on the loan in 2012. It became known as Oheka Castle, an acronym taken from his full name. Oheka Castle - Wikipedia
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