Location: Yonkers, New York Price: $3.95 million Built in the ’80s — the 1880s, that is — this opulent manor in Yonkers is a flashback to the Gilded Age. It also comes with a Hollywood twist. Kohle Yohannan, an art historian, bought the then-dilapidated castle in 2001 — on Halloween, to be exact — and dove right into the renovations. It would take him roughly a decade to restore the manor to its current splendor. It’s no secret that home renovations can be pricey. For a 20-room castle, the cost could become astronomical. Yohannan soon discovered, however, that the property could pay for its own improvements. “A [film] location scout knocked on my door and asked if it could be shown to a producer,” he told Mansion Global. The rest is history. The manor is now a celebrity in its own right, having appeared in the film Mona Lisa Smile starring Julia Roberts, Martin Scorsese’s HBO drama Boardwalk Empire and the CW series Gossip Girl. Yohannan’s home even caught the eye of the Queen Bey herself — it starred in the music video for Beyoncé’s song, Irreplaceable. The residence was also the setting of many high-profile fashion shoots, including campaigns and editorials for Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Victoria’s Secret, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, among others. As a result, the estate consistently generates its own six-figure income, according to the listing. The Stats
The roughly 13,500-square-foot home sits on nearly one acre. It has six bedrooms, four full bathrooms and three half baths. There’s also a staff apartment with a separate entrance. Design Pedigree More than 20 rooms make up the residence, including an octagonal ballroom with striking views of the Hudson River and the steep cliffs known as the Palisades. The ballroom is topped with a hand-carved Baroque English ceiling. Several of the rooms are decorated with authentic 16th-, 17th- and 18th-century decor, furniture and even wall panels, imported from Europe. This was a common practice at the turn of the century. “Back then, America was addicted to everything European,” Yohannan explained. As a result, the castle is a mélange of architectural styles. The exterior resembles a French château, while the interiors include coffered ceilings, French Rococo paneling and intricate ironwork. The manor also features stained glass windows and lighting by famed American artists Louis Comfort Tiffany and John La Farge. Amenities The home includes a wine cellar, private chapel and 11 fireplaces.Celebrity Cachet The property has changed hands several times during its lifetime, but only about four or five of the owners lived on the premises, according to Yohannan. The residence once belonged to Michel Fokine, choreographer for the Ballets Russes, and his wife, the prima ballerina, Vera. When the couple owned the manor in the late 1930s and early 1940s, it served as a ballet school. “The traveling trunks are still in the attic,” Yohannan said. The New York City Ballet also shot promotional films on the property. Neighborhood Notes Situated just north of the Bronx, Yonkers is a 25-minute train ride from Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal. “There’s something really key about leaving the city and arriving at a magnificent entry hall that opens to a ballroom,” Yohannan said. Agent: Terhi Edwards, Douglas Elliman View this listing
Write to Gina Faridniya at gina.faridniya@dowjones.com Follow Mansion Global: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram