Oheka Castle Sold: New Owners Promise No Immediate Changes

Residents of Huntington, New York, are adjusting to the fact that Oheka Castle has new owners. The 127-room estate, which has served as a wedding venue and social hub for decades, was sold in a private auction for $72 million. The transaction marks the end of an era for the property, which was previously owned by Gary Melius.

Gold Coast Property & Management LLC acquired the estate at a 90-minute auction held at a Manhattan hotel. The company is operated by Ronald Browning and Paul Alflen. Six other bidders participated in the sale. Browning and Alflen have not yet released a detailed plan for the estate's future use, leaving local stakeholders to speculate on what will happen next.

Paul Alflen told the Long Island Press that he and Browning are very excited about the acquisition. He stated that they plan to keep the castle as is, addressing a primary concern among residents who view the building as a key part of the community's identity. When asked about their specific goals, Alflen described Oheka as a magical place and said the new owners are looking at all options.

The sale comes as the estate navigates a complex legal and financial history. Gary Melius, 82, purchased the property in 1984. He spent approximately $60 million over the years on refurbishments, transforming the abandoned and crumbling structure into a working estate. Melius filed for federal bankruptcy protection last year to delay a foreclosure sale. He currently owes about $60 million to a secured creditor and between $8 million and $10 million to unsecured creditors and for professional fees. Melius believes the sale will resolve these debts.

Melius plans to continue living at Oheka and may manage the grounds after the sale. Gayle Snyder, head of the Cold Spring Hills Civic Association, expressed mixed feelings about the departure of the long-time owner. She noted that it is sad to see Melius go but added that community members believe they will still be allowed to use the castle for meetings and parties.

Development plans may already be in motion. The Cold Spring Country Club, which owns property at Oheka, filed an application with the town in April 2023 to build 90 condos. Christine Geed, a town spokeswoman, said the application has been submitted, but the town has not heard from the club since. Snyder said there is concern over whether the club will return to seek approval to proceed. Country club officials did not return a call seeking comment.

The new owners have agreed to honor weddings booked through March 31, 2028. The estate sits on 21 active acres north of Jericho Turnpike, part of a larger 443-acre property built between 1914 and 1919. It was constructed as a summer residence for financier Otto Herman Kahn, who named it Oheka as a play on his initials. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a status that may limit the scope of radical changes by the new developers.