Groups are invited to party like it’s the 1920s amid the grandeur of Oheka Castle – a Gold Coast stately home that offers a perfect location for corporate retreats in Long Island.
The 115,000-sf property was built in 1919 by financier Otto Kahn as a summer home where he hosted lavish parties and entertained royalty, heads of state and Hollywood stars. More than 600 of these palatial Gilded Age mansions once stood along the coastline, which was made famous as the setting for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gastby”, but now only a few remain. Set on 23 acres, the French-style chateaux was, and still is, the second largest private residence ever built in America. Its opulence was immortalized in the opening montage of Orson Welles’ 1941 film, “Citizen Kane.”
The property was bought by developer Gary Melius in 1984, and following a $30 million restoration that brought back its original grandeur, the 32-room castle is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Chateau-style Setting
“Oheka offers companies a unique out-of-the-box venue to host an executive corporate retreat in a European French chateau-style setting right here in America,” says Nancy Melius, director of marketing and design at Oheka Castle. “We work closely with event planners to assist them in executing their vision for creating a memorable retreat. During their stay, groups can enjoy activities on Long Island such as day trips to vineyards, boating excursions, and, our personal favorite, visits to other neighboring Gold Coast mansions on Long Island, such as Old Westbury Gardens and the Vanderbilt Museum.”
Oheka’s function rooms can accommodate 10 to 400 attendees, including a 2,380-sf grand ballroom, as well as numerous outdoor spaces within its formal gardens. Executive Chef Frank Monahan and Executive Pastry Chef Daniel Andreotti provide a culinary experience to match the grandeur of the surroundings, with menu items such as pistachio-crusted lamb chops, Georgia peach pork and lacquered duck breast.
