Elda Castle, Ossining, New York
Isolated and cut off from the rest of the world by acres of forest, this abandoned mansion could easily be mistaken for a medieval castle. In reality, Elda Castle was built in 1927 for David T Abercrombie, the co-founder of Abercrombie & Fitch. Sadly, tragedy struck the wealthy family, and they abandoned the unlucky home less than a decade later.
Having been off and off the market since 2017, it’s now listed for $2.9 million (£2.3m).
Tiki palace, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Perched high on a hill above the town of Chattanooga, Tennessee, this mystery mansion has seen its fair share of scandal. The brainchild of entertainment tycoon Billy Hull, the opulent home was completed in 1972 – but it wouldn’t be his home for long. So, what caused Hull to desert his dream home just a year after it was built? Club owner Billy Hull’s vision was for a sprawling, tiki-style mansion complete with luxury marble bathrooms, mirrored lounges and the crowning glory: a huge swimming pool with tiled tunnels leading to the opulent bedroom suites. He contracted architect Ed Ball to design the home, which took 14 months to build, and Billy celebrated its completion with an
extravagant house party.
Circus mansion, Catskills, New York
Over on the East Coast in New York’s scenic Catskill Mountains, Bryan Sansivero photographed this abandoned house before it eventually changed hands. Fascinating and frightful in equal measure, his images capture the property’s spooky past life, and it’s unlike anything we’ve seen before.
When Sansivero visited the house, insidious vines of ivy were reclaiming its impressive façade, defined by handsome double-fronted bays and an ornate front porch.
Built in 1925 in the Jacobean Revival style, it’s not known why the property was abandoned all those years ago.
Elsewhere, other unexplained features included a closet that concealed a painting of a bullfighter by Spanish artist Antonio Casero Sanz.
In July 2021, Sansivero revealed that since his visit, the house had been sold on and renovated. We wonder if the new owners kept any traces of its circus décor…
Winchester Mystery House: A widow’s renovation
When it comes to peculiar properties, this empty mansion in California takes some beating. Once the home of Sarah Winchester, the heir to weapons manufacturing empire Winchester Repeating Arms, renovations on the property began in the late 19th century, though they were never completed.
However, the home’s origins are much more humble than the extensive estate we see today.
Following her husband’s death, Sarah bought up a modest farmhouse in San Jose and set about extending the residence in an altogether unusual way. The home swelled to mammoth proportions in the decades leading up to her death in 1922, growing to seven storeys and encompassing an eye-watering 160 rooms, including this magnificent ballroom with its parquet floors and ornately carved organ.
