HBO’s critically acclaimed series “The Gilded Age” transports viewers to late 19th-century New York, a time of immense wealth, social upheaval, and architectural extravagance. Julian Fellowes’ hit show vividly portrays the lives of the era’s elite, from old money families to ambitious industrial tycoons like the fictional Russells. To capture the period’s unparalleled opulence authentically, the production chose to film scenes in magnificent historic mansions that date back to the very era depicted.
While access to these lavish estates was once reserved for the nation’s wealthiest families – the Vanderbilts, Goulds, and Berwinds – many have since been preserved and opened to the public. This offers fans of the show and history enthusiasts alike a unique opportunity to walk the halls, admire the architecture, and experience the sheer scale of the homes that served as the backdrop for the real and fictional dramas of the Gilded Age.
Here are 11 historic homes from “The Gilded Age” you can visit in real life, stepping directly into the world of the show:
Newport, Rhode Island: Summer Capital of the Elite
Many of the most iconic mansions featured in “The Gilded Age” are located in Newport, Rhode Island, the favored summer retreat for New York society. Seven of the show’s filming locations are managed by the Preservation Society of Newport County, offering a direct link to the era’s seaside splendor.
The Breakers
Arguably the grandest of Newport’s “summer cottages,” The Breakers was built by Cornelius Vanderbilt II, heir to his grandfather’s colossal railroad fortune, in 1895. Spanning a staggering 138,300 square feet, this Italian Renaissance-style villa embodies the pinnacle of Gilded Age wealth. Its name fittingly refers to the waves crashing against the shore below.
In “The Gilded Age,” The Breakers is a central filming location, used to represent the immense wealth of the show’s characters, particularly the Russells. Its magnificent Music Room doubles as the Russells’ lavish New York City ballroom, notably hosting Gladys Russell’s debut ball in Season One. The Billiard Room, featuring a massive wrought-iron and bronze lighting fixture attached directly to the structural beams due to its weight, was also used for scenes depicting George Russell conducting business or playing games after dinner parties. The Preservation Society of Newport County manages The Breakers as a museum, offering tours that can be booked online.
Rosecliff
Modeled after the Grand Trianon palace at Versailles, Rosecliff is a vision of classical elegance. Nevada silver heiress Theresa “Tessie” Fair Oelrichs, known as the “Bonanza Heiress,” completed this 30-room mansion in 1902 as her summer home. Its 28,800 square feet include Newport’s largest private ballroom, measuring 40 by 80 feet.
Fans of “The Gilded Age” will immediately recognize the stunning ceiling of Rosecliff’s ballroom, prominently featured in the show’s opening credits. The mansion’s elegant interiors are used for various scenes, and its refined exterior represents the home of characters like Sylvia Chamberlain in the series. Rosecliff has also served as a set for other famous films, including “The Great Gatsby,” “27 Dresses,” and “Amistad.” Tours are available through the Preservation Society of Newport County.
Marble House
A testament to extravagant affection, Marble House was a 39th birthday gift from William K. Vanderbilt to his then-wife, Alva, in 1892. As its name suggests, the mansion incorporates an astonishing 500,000 cubic feet of marble. Alva Vanderbilt famously maintained ownership of Marble House after divorcing William and later used her fortune and the estate to support the burgeoning women’s suffrage movement, hosting conventions on the property.
In “The Gilded Age,” the room used as George Russell’s bedroom is filmed in what was originally the bedroom of Alva and William’s daughter, Consuelo Vanderbilt. According to the estate’s audio tour, Consuelo later wrote that her mother had deliberately “forbidden the intrusion of my personal possessions” in the room. Tours of Marble House are operated by the Preservation Society of Newport County.
Chateau-sur-Mer
One of the earliest grand mansions on Bellevue Avenue, Chateau-sur-Mer began as an 1852 villa built by merchant William Shepard Wetmore and was significantly remodeled in the 1870s by his son, George Wetmore, who served as Rhode Island’s governor and a U.S. senator. This Italianate-style estate is renowned for its detailed interiors.
Within the world of “The Gilded Age,” Chateau-sur-Mer appears as the home of society figure Mamie Fish, and its interiors, such as the elaborately painted Stair Hall (depicting the biblical Tree of Life) and the Dining Room with its unique Spanish leather wallpaper, are used for various character living spaces and scenes like the famous doll tea party. Its striking façade has also been utilized in the show, reportedly standing in for Caroline Astor’s Beechwood House façade. The Preservation Society of Newport County offers tours of the property.
The Elms
Completed in 1901 for coal magnate Edward Julius Berwind and his wife Sarah, The Elms was modeled after the mid-18th century French Château d’Asnières and furnished with custom Louis XV-style pieces. The mansion sits on a 10-acre estate that was once the setting for lavish parties.
Although the real mansion is landlocked, its impressive limestone exterior is used in “The Gilded Age” to represent the Russell family’s opulent New York home, giving it the appearance of having a waterfront view in the series. Specific interiors used for filming include Sarah Herminie Berwind’s bedroom, which serves as Gladys Russell’s room, and the extensive Main Kitchen in the basement, which doubles as the Russell family’s kitchen where many of the servants’ scenes are filmed. Tours are available through the Preservation Society of Newport County.
Hunter House
Standing apart from the Gilded Age mansions, Hunter House actually dates back to 1748, predating the Gilded Age by over a century and playing a role in the Revolutionary War as a headquarters for the French fleet. Its preservation was so significant that it led to the founding of the Preservation Society of Newport County in 1945.
This colonial-era home offers a glimpse into an even earlier period of American history. In “The Gilded Age,” one of its sitting rooms is cleverly used as the office for lawyer Tom Raikes, a location depicted in the show as being in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, making it one of the first non-New York City settings shown in the series. Guided tours are held daily (excluding Sundays and Mondays).
Belcourt
Commissioned by socialite and avid horseman Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont (whose father inspired the Belmont Stakes horse race), Belcourt was built in 1894. This vast 50,000-square-foot, 60-room summer home in Newport was modeled after King Louis XIII’s hunting lodge at Versailles and was known for its extensive stables. Alva Vanderbilt briefly owned the property after marrying Oliver.
In “The Gilded Age,” Belcourt doubles as the opulent summer home of the Astor family, referred to as “Beechwood” in the series. It was the setting for a memorable scene in Season One where Bertha Russell navigates the property to avoid a potentially awkward encounter with Mrs. Astor. Belcourt is open for guided day tours, as well as special candlelight and ghost tours in the evenings.
New York: The Epicenter of Gilded Age Society
While Newport was the summer playground, New York City and its surrounding areas were the heart of Gilded Age ambition and power. Several mansions north and east of Manhattan also feature prominently in the show.
Lyndhurst Mansion
Located in Tarrytown, New York, overlooking the Hudson River, Lyndhurst Mansion is a Gothic Revival masterpiece with a history intertwined with the Gilded Age elite. Originally built in 1842, it was later owned by merchant George Merritt (who doubled its size) and eventually purchased by railroad tycoon Jay Gould in 1880.
In “The Gilded Age,” Lyndhurst represents the home of characters Charles and Aurora Fane. The production utilized various rooms within the mansion, including the parlor, dining room, and art gallery, for filming. The 67-acre grounds stand in for parts of Central Park, including the Sheep Meadow, and other structures on the estate, such as the carriage house, served as sets like The New York Globe newspaper offices and a ferry terminal. Tours of Lyndhurst Mansion can be booked via its website.
Hempstead House
Situated within Sands Point Preserve on Long Island, Hempstead House was built in 1912 by financier Howard Gould, son of Jay Gould. Though Howard Gould only lived there briefly before selling it to the Guggenheim family (Daniel Guggenheim was the brother of Solomon Guggenheim of museum fame), the mansion exudes Gilded Age grandeur.
Today, Hempstead House is part of the publicly accessible Sands Point Preserve, which contains multiple historic mansions. Guided tours of Hempstead House are available. In “The Gilded Age,” the mansion’s stunning library is used as the set for George Russell’s office, where many of his significant business dealings unfold in the series. Hempstead House is also a popular filming location and has appeared in other productions like “Malcolm X” and “Scent of a Woman.”
Westbrook
The sprawling Tudor Revival estate known as Westbrook is located in Oakdale, New York, on Long Island. Built in 1886 for attorney and real-estate developer William Bayard Cutting, the home boasts 60 rooms and 20 fireplaces. The Cutting family was part of New York’s exclusive “Four Hundred” list of socially prominent individuals.
Westbrook’s extensive gardens are a major draw, and the mansion is now located within the Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park. The estate was used as a filming location during the first season of “The Gilded Age.” Separate guided tours of the arboretum and the historic house are available seasonally, and visitors can even enjoy “Victorian Tea” at the Hidden Oak Café located inside Westbrook.
Glenview Mansion
Built in the 1870s for financier John Bond Trevor, a business partner of James Boorman Colgate (of the famous Colgate family), Glenview Mansion is located in Yonkers, New York, just north of Manhattan. The mansion is a significant example of period architecture and design.
After being sold by the Trevor family, Glenview became part of the Hudson River Museum, which operates on the site today. In “The Gilded Age,” the interior of Glenview is used to represent the home of the formidable Mrs. Astor in New York City. The grand entry staircase of the mansion has appeared multiple times throughout the show, providing an authentic backdrop for scenes set in the heart of old New York society.
Visiting these accessible historic mansions offers a unique opportunity to step out of your living room and directly into the lavish world of “The Gilded Age,” connecting the captivating drama of the show with the incredible real-life history and architectural legacy of America’s most opulent era.
