A lavish, Gilded Age estate once owned by one of the richest men in the world just hit the market for under $6.5 million. Take a look inside.

Maria NoyenAug 17, 2022, 13:44 IST

The former home of John Jacob Astor, the wealthiest passenger aboard the Titanic.Houlihan Lawrence/Danile Milstein Photography, Bettmann/Getty Images

A Gilded Age, nine-bedroom villa, one of the last of its kind in New York, is going for $6.5 million.
The estate was once owned by John Jacob Astor IV, one of the richest men in the world when he died.
The current owner said he tried to preserve the estate's history as he made it his family home.

One of the last remaining Gilded Age estates in a little village overlooking the Hudson River is selling for under $6.5 million.

The estate lies within the village of Irvington, New York.Google Maps, Houlihan Lawrence and Danile Milstein Photography

But before Dolan bought the estate, he said it nearly suffered the same fate as others like it that were replaced by condos.

A front view of Villa Nuit.Houlihan Lawrence/Danile Milstein Photography

By "sheer luck," Dolan, who was living in London with his family at the time, saw an advertisement about the sale of Villa Nuit in 2000.

The conservatory.Houlihan Lawrence/Danile Milstein Photography

While the US National Trust had some restrictions on renovating the historic, limestone home, Dolan said he never wanted to change how it looked from the outside.

The exterior of the home is built from French limestone.Houlihan Lawrence/Danile Milstein Photography

The original owner had built one of the first architecturally driven houses in the US, and he named the villa after his hometown in France.

The paneled dining room.Houlihan Lawrence/Danile Milstein Photography

Being such a "showpiece" home, it's not surprising that the wealthiest man on the Titanic, John Jacob Astor IV, once called Villa Nuit home.

John Jacob Astor was one of the 1,500 people who died in the Titanic sinking in 1912.The Print Collector/Getty Image

Despite its enduring exterior, a lot has changed inside Villa Nuit over the years. Dolan said the couple who lived there previously began the renovation by gutting the issues in the home, and his family completed it.

A sitting area.Houlihan Lawrence/Danile Milstein Photography

Despite its enduring exterior, a lot has changed inside Villa Nuit over the years. Dolan said the couple who lived there previously began the renovation by gutting the issues in the home, and his family completed it.

Knowing the home's history, Dolan said he felt responsible to maintain the estate as well as he could while turning it into a home fit for his family.

The study.Houlihan Lawrence/Danile Milstein Photography

Dolan said he made changes to the home inspired by his kids as they became teenagers, such as putting in a heated pool.

The swimming pool.Houlihan Lawrence/Danile Milstein Photography

Dolan said he didn't have a huge renovation budget, so he loved getting his own hands dirty with renovations.

One of the nine bedrooms.Houlihan Lawrence/Danile Milstein Photography

While careful changes have been made, the home still has a Gilded Age vibe. Dolan said you can be transported back in time when standing inside the home.

The billiards room.Houlihan Lawrence/Danile Milstein Photography

But the home also blends in some modern additions, including a media room and a gym.

A modern sitting room.Houlihan Lawrence/Danile Milstein Photography

Despite its rich history, Dolan said his family never experienced ghostly encounters. But he did say they made continuous discoveries over the years, such as a hidden coal shoot in the basement.

A wine cellar.Houlihan Lawrence/Danile Milstein Photography

Despite its rich history, Dolan said his family never experienced ghostly encounters. But he did say they made continuous discoveries over the years, such as a hidden coal shoot in the basement.

Given its size at 12,564 square feet, Dolan said Villa Nuit – which comes with nine bedrooms – is "a lot of real estate for one person." He's ready to downsize.

The eat-in kitchen.Houlihan Lawrence/Danile Milstein Photography

Given its size at 12,564 square feet, Dolan said Villa Nuit – which comes with nine bedrooms – is "a lot of real estate for one person." He's ready to downsize.

But he said he has fond memories of the estate. He particularly loved the conservatory, with its cozy views of the outside.

Dolan's favorite room is the conservatory.Houlihan Lawrence/Danile Milstein Photography

Carolyn Joy, a broker from the Tishelman Joy Team at Houlihan Lawrence, called the listing a "rare" opportunity for a new buyer.

The entrance.Houlihan Lawrence/Danile Milstein Photography

And Dolan said he hopes Villa Nuit becomes a home to someone who would also "appreciate" its history.

The mansion is surrounded by five acres of land.Houlihan Lawrence/Danile Milstein Photography

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A lavish, Gilded Age estate once owned by one of the richest men in the world just hit the market for under $6.5 million. Take a look inside.

One of the last remaining Gilded Age estates in a little village overlooking the Hudson River is selling for under $6.5 million.

But before Dolan bought the estate, he said it nearly suffered the same fate as others like it that were replaced by condos.

By "sheer luck," Dolan, who was living in London with his family at the time, saw an advertisement about the sale of Villa Nuit in 2000.

While the US National Trust had some restrictions on renovating the historic, limestone home, Dolan said he never wanted to change how it looked from the outside.

The original owner had built one of the first architecturally driven houses in the US, and he named the villa after his hometown in France.

Being such a "showpiece" home, it's not surprising that the wealthiest man on the Titanic, John Jacob Astor IV, once called Villa Nuit home.

Despite its enduring exterior, a lot has changed inside Villa Nuit over the years. Dolan said the couple who lived there previously began the renovation by gutting the issues in the home, and his family completed it.

Knowing the home's history, Dolan said he felt responsible to maintain the estate as well as he could while turning it into a home fit for his family.

Dolan said he made changes to the home inspired by his kids as they became teenagers, such as putting in a heated pool.

Dolan said he didn't have a huge renovation budget, so he loved getting his own hands dirty with renovations.

While careful changes have been made, the home still has a Gilded Age vibe. Dolan said you can be transported back in time when standing inside the home.

But the home also blends in some modern additions, including a media room and a gym.

Despite its rich history, Dolan said his family never experienced ghostly encounters. But he did say they made continuous discoveries over the years, such as a hidden coal shoot in the basement.

Given its size at 12,564 square feet, Dolan said Villa Nuit – which comes with nine bedrooms – is "a lot of real estate for one person." He's ready to downsize.

But he said he has fond memories of the estate. He particularly loved the conservatory, with its cozy views of the outside.

Carolyn Joy, a broker from the Tishelman Joy Team at Houlihan Lawrence, called the listing a "rare" opportunity for a new buyer.

And Dolan said he hopes Villa Nuit becomes a home to someone who would also "appreciate" its history.