Sixty rooms. That’s how many rooms Simeon Leland’s palatial mansion boasted. Welcome to Leland Castle.
Leland Castle isn’t just a building. It’s a testament to the Gilded Age. This magnificent Gothic Revival structure in New Rochelle was the country retreat of Simeon Leland. He was a wealthy New York City hotel proprietor. Imagine the parties! The celebrations! The stories whispered within these walls.
Construction began in 1855 and lasted until 1859. New York City architect William Thomas Beers designed this masterpiece. He created a fanciful English castellated Gothic edifice. Leland himself started acquiring the land for his estate back in 1848. The castle wasn’t finished there. A north wing was added in 1899. A south wing followed in 1902.
The castle’s architectural details are stunning. Notice the tall square tower on the southeast corner. Then see the hexagonal tower on the northeast. Finally there’s the round tower on the northwest. Each tower adds to the castle’s imposing presence. Inside the entrance hall features walnut paneling and a beautiful Minton tiled floor. The library is pure Gothic with stained and etched glass. Some rooms however are surprisingly in the Renaissance style. For example the music room arches are crowned with rococo crests.
The castle’s history is just as captivating as its architecture. After Leland’s death in 1872 the Manhattan Life Insurance Company took over. They allowed the Leland family to stay until 1880. Then it became the Castle Inn for a couple of years. Later it housed schools. A fire in 1897 caused significant damage. The Ursuline Sisters bought it and turned it into a seminary.
Today Leland Castle stands as a symbol of a bygone era. It’s a reminder of the lavish lifestyles of the 19th century. The castle is now part of the College of New Rochelle campus. It’s a tangible link to a time when elegance and extravagance reigned. It’s also the only surviving example of the work of William Thomas Beers. Leland Castle. A true New York treasure.