real life castles
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The Breakers mansion in Newport, the Vanderbilt summer estate
Gilded Age mansions are a living reminder of a time long past when America’s richest families — like the Astors, Vanderbilts, Carnegies, and Rockefellers — used their sprawling estates to assert status and give everyone a visual representation of their vast family fortune. And nobody did it better than the Vanderbilt family. The Vanderbilts were […] More
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A recent history of the opulent Gloria Crest Estate in Englewood, NJ
There’s a certain charm that’s specific to Old Hollywood. And this sprawling estate with ties to the Golden Age of Hollywood is a fit display of the elegance and sophistication of those times. The Gloria Crest Estate in Englewood, New Jersey was built back in 1926, and traces its history all the way back to […] More
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Publishing tycoon W. R. Hearst’s castle in San Simeon, the inspiration for Citizen Kane’s Xanadu
One of the most magnificent mansions in all of California, Hearst Castle has a rich history that captivates audiences just as much as its striking architecture. Built more than a quarter mile above the Pacific Ocean, the California castle that was formerly known as La Cuesta Encantada (Spanish for The Enchanted Hill), is a historic […] More
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Everything You Need to Know about Belvedere Castle in Central Park
As it turns out, you don’t have to travel all the way to Germany or France to see a veritable castle — there are some very beautiful castles in the New York area as well. In fact, there’s a magnificent castle nestled in one of the busiest and most well-known parks in the world. New […] More
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Timeless Elegance Meets Whimsical Charm in this $6M Storybook Castle in Los Angeles
A unique new listing in Los Angeles has some serious fairy tale vibes. Dubbed Chateau Lemoine, the stunning estate was originally constructed in 1926 and is a prime example of storybook architecture. Located in the beautiful Brookside neighborhood of Los Angeles, the extensively remodeled home features a list of luxurious features and endless period elements. […] More
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Casa Loma: The Canadian Castle with Countless Movie Credits
With soaring battlements and secret passageways, the one and only true castle in North America sits in the heart of Toronto, Ontario. And it’s a must-see when visiting the T-dot, especially for movie lovers. X-Men fans in particular will be quick to recognize the estate, as it served as a main filming location for Xavier […] More
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5 New York Castles That Will Make You Feel Like You’ve Traveled to Europe
Who amongst us hasn’t wondered at some point what it would be like to live in a castle? Whenever we visit a castle, we think of what it must have been like to live there, and imagine ourselves as king (or queen) of our domain. Then we unfortunately snap back to reality and go about […] More
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Where Does Tina Turner Live Now? Her Swiss House and $76 Million ‘Weekend Retreat’
Living in Europe for decades, Tina Turner has been setting up shop in Switzerland since the mid-2000s Before that, she built a dream house for herself in the south of France, which she sold to follow husband Erwin Bach to Zürich Her home is Chateau Algonquin, a magnificent estate which sits on Lake Zürich that […] More
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The Downton Abbey House is Real – And You Can Go Tour the Castle
It’s been quite a few years since the dramatic finale tied up the loose ends of the award-winning Downton Abbey British TV series. This extraordinary period drama invited us all into the ‘upstairs downstairs’ world of the 1900s and had nearly 10 million bums on couches every single week. And while there doesn’t seem to […] More
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$18.9M Renaissance-Style Villa Just Outside of San Francisco is Looking for a New (Art-Loving) Owner
Opulence, elegance, extravagance; these are just some of the words that can be used to describe Villa La Sosta, a majestic Italianesque mansion in the Bay Area. Nestled behind lush trees at 2 De Witt Drive in Marin County’s coveted Ross neighborhood, the 8,660-square-foot property is San Francisco’s best-kept secret, and it’s looking for a […] More
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Christie’s 5 Most Expensive Homes Sold Last Quarter Each Have a Wonderful Story to Tell
Now, happy you’re here, but if I hooked you with that title and that description, I’m guessing you’re gonna want to get right into it. Christie’s International Real Estate is the luxury real estate arm of Christie’s, the fine art auction house. It was founded in 1995 and it has grown into a huge international […] More
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Is it Real? Richie Rich’s House is Actually the Biltmore Estate, America’s Largest Home
Richie Rich is one of those movies that mark your childhood – it’s fun to watch, the storyline is predictable enough not to truly worry about its brave little protagonists, and it teaches us that no amount of money can make up for true friendship. Starring Macaulay Culkin as the richest kid in the world, […] More
