The United States is home to some of the largest and most opulent residences in the world.  These architectural marvels showcase the wealth, ambition, and creativity of their builders, as well as the periods in which they were constructed.  From gilded-age mansions to modern palaces, these homes reflect distinct styles, historical significance, and extravagant lifestyles.  Below is a ranking of the ten largest houses in the U.S., featuring details about their size, history, and unique stories.

#1: Biltmore Estate – 175,000 sq ft

Located in Asheville, North Carolina, the Biltmore Estate is the largest privately-owned home in the United States.  Built in 1895 by George Washington Vanderbilt II, this French Renaissance chateau boasts 250 rooms, including 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces.  Its lavish interiors feature grand staircases, intricate woodwork, and an indoor swimming pool.  The estate’s 8,000-acre property includes beautifully landscaped gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the creator of Central Park.

The Biltmore’s construction employed over 1,000 workers and was inspired by European castles that Vanderbilt admired during his travels.  Anecdotally, Vanderbilt’s New Year’s Eve parties were legendary, with luminaries of the time attending.  The home still operates today as a museum and tourist attraction, hosting over one million visitors annually.

#2: Oheka Castle – 109,000 sq ft

Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York, was completed in 1919 by financier Otto Hermann Kahn.  This 127-room mansion served as both a summer retreat and a venue for elaborate parties during the Jazz Age.  The castle’s French chateau-style architecture and opulent interiors made it a favorite filming location for movies and music videos, including Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space.”

The estate fell into disrepair after Kahn’s death but was later restored by Gary Melius in the 1980s.  Today, it operates as a hotel and event venue, blending historical grandeur with modern luxury.

#3: Arden House – 97,188 sq ft

Arden House, located in Harriman, New York, was built by railroad magnate Edward Henry Harriman in the early 1900s.  The home is known for its Tudor Revival architecture and its breathtaking views of the Hudson Valley.  Arden House served as a retreat and a center for intellectual gatherings, hosting prominent figures like President Theodore Roosevelt.

Its post-Harriman years were tumultuous, with ownership changes and neglect before being repurposed for institutional use.  Anecdotally, some claim the house is haunted, a belief fueled by its sprawling, shadowy halls and rich history.

#4: Winterthur – 96,582 sq ft

Winterthur in Delaware was constructed by Henry Francis du Pont, a member of the prominent Du Pont family.  This sprawling estate, completed in 1932, features 175 rooms and serves as a museum of American decorative arts.  Du Pont designed the house to reflect his passion for history and horticulture, meticulously curating its furnishings and surrounding gardens.

Today, Winterthur remains a cultural landmark, attracting visitors interested in art, antiques, and landscape design.  The estate’s history also includes its role as a setting for significant family and social events.

#5:  Shadow Lawn – 88,000 sq ft

Shadow Lawn in West Long Branch, New Jersey, is a Beaux-Arts mansion originally built in 1903.  Once the summer home of President Woodrow Wilson, the house has been used as a college campus building since 1955.  Its opulent interiors feature marble columns, a grand staircase, and an expansive ballroom.

The mansion has seen periods of grandeur, abandonment, and revitalization.  Anecdotes about Shadow Lawn include ghost stories and legends tied to its historic residents.

#6: Hearst Castle – 68,500 sq ft

Built by media tycoon William Randolph Hearst in San Simeon, California, Hearst Castle is a Mediterranean Revival masterpiece designed by Julia Morgan.  Completed in 1947, the estate features 165 rooms and sprawling outdoor pools.  The home hosted lavish parties attended by celebrities such as Charlie Chaplin and Clark Gable.

Now a California State Park, Hearst Castle is a testament to extravagance, with its extensive art collection, gardens, and architectural features like the Neptune Pool.

#7: Mar-a-Lago – 62,500 sq ft

Mar-a-Lago, located in Palm Beach, Florida, was built in the 1920s by cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. Designed in a Spanish-Moorish style, the estate includes 58 bedrooms, 33 bathrooms, and a ballroom.  Post intended it as a winter retreat and left it to the U.S. government as a potential presidential retreat, though it was never used as such.

The estate is now owned by former President Donald Trump and serves as both a private residence and a private club.  Anecdotes about Mar-a-Lago include tales of opulent parties and celebrity visits.

#8: Versailles – 85,000 sq ft

Versailles, located in Windermere, Florida, is a modern mega-mansion inspired by the Palace of Versailles in France.  Owned by Jacqueline and David Siegel, the home remains under construction but already features a 20-car garage, 15 bedrooms, and 32 bathrooms.

The construction and Siegel family’s life were documented in the film The Queen of Versailles.  The project has faced delays, but the home remains a symbol of contemporary excess.

#9: Lynnewood Hall – 110,000 sq ft

Lynnewood Hall, located in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, is a Gilded Age mansion built in 1900 for industrialist Peter A.B. Widener.  Designed in the Neoclassical style, it features 110 rooms and was once home to an extensive art collection.

Stories of decline have overshadowed its grandeur, as the home has stood largely empty for decades.  Legends persist about treasures hidden within its walls.

#10: Meadow Brook Hall – 88,000 sq ft

Meadow Brook Hall, located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, was constructed by Matilda Dodge Wilson, the widow of automobile pioneer John Dodge.  Built in the Tudor Revival style in 1929, the home includes 110 rooms and extensive grounds.

The estate’s history is intertwined with the Dodge family legacy, and it is now preserved as a museum.  Visitors enjoy its art, antiques, and well-kept gardens.

These vast estates represent not just opulence but also the aspirations and cultural values of their times.  Whether preserved as museums, adapted as institutions, or maintained as private residences, each house tells a story of ambition, artistry, and history, making them enduring icons of American luxury and innovation.