From The Days Of Gatsby: The Fallen Homes Of Long Island's Gold Coast

Laurelton Hall

Laurelton Hall was the home of artist Louis Comfort Tiffany, located in Laurel Hollow, Long Island, New York. Tiffany was the son of Charles Lewis Tiffany, founder of Tiffany & Co., but was an accomplished artist and interior designer himself. As the succeeding President of Tiffany & Co., and founder of several Tiffany glass companies, he amassed quite a fortune. After his first house (The Briars) burnt down, he replaced it with Laurelton Hall. The eclectic manor was completed in 1905, displaying many of Tiffany's most notable works and as a work of art in and of itself. The mansion sat on 1,500 acres of woodland and waterfront at its height. Tiffany designed the interior in the Art Nouveau style inspired by Islamic motifs that referenced the surrounding nature. After his death, the house was deeded to his foundation, where it served as an art school and then was abandoned. The house was extensively vandalized and ultimately ruined. The remains, which had cost $2 million to construct, burnt to the ground in 1957. Although some pieces still exist today, the landscape was sold off for a measly $10,000. [Photo via]