Skip to main content

Not the California Castle, This is William Randolph Hearst’s Other Big Home

Bi-coastal living is tough. Cross-country flights are exhausting in modern times, so just imagine how stressful it was back in the day for folks like William Randolph Hearst. When the pressures of being a billionaire partying with celebrities in California got to be too much, Hearst and his mistress Marion Davies would flee to Long Island, New York for the summer. Their former home is now part of the Gold Coast Mansions of Long Island and it is up for sale.

Inside William Randolph Hearst's $2.195 Million Mansion

Built in 1906, the Hearst-Davies House was a more modest retreat compared to the world-famous Hearst Castle on California’s Central Coast. No zebras roaming free here, the Tudor-style residence sits on 1.12 acres — microscopic compared to the 250,000 acres of his West Coast home. But small in scale doesn’t mean small in style. This mansion is still packed with high-end design, luxury amenities, and plenty of space for you and 10 friends to unwind.

By today’s standards, many of the rooms in the Hearst-Davies House may feel small, but the fact that this home survived the “take the walls down” trend of the early 2000’s intact adds to its charm. An inviting foyer warmly welcomes guests, the his-and-hers sitting rooms speak to the time when the home was built, and features like black and white tile in the bathroom remind you of the history of the space. With updates that honor the original design, it is easy to picture Hearst roaming the halls, sitting down to enjoy a glass of whiskey in front of the fireplace, or entertaining guests with a round of pool in the billiards room and a drink from the 800-bottle wine cellar.

While the home holds on to tradition in the formal furnishings and deep-hued color palette, the kitchen has a more contemporary feel to it. A massive island ideal for catering large parties anchors the space. Modern, stainless steel appliances are balanced by white cabinetry and a mix of marble and granite countertops. Careful attention to detail was paid during the renovation of the kitchen, ensuring it still spoke to the historic significance of the Hearst-Davies House, so even though it is new, it fits in perfectly with the overall style of the home.

Outside, the high-end living continues. There are several sitting areas to choose from, including a small patio with a firepit, a wrap-around covered veranda, a sprawling green lawn, and a spacious gazebo that overlooks the pool. Despite the close proximity of neighboring homes, all of the spaces are afforded plenty of privacy thanks to lush vegetation and old-growth trees. 

The Hearst-Davies House is currently on the market, priced at $2.192 million and is listed by Sabrina Teplin of Douglas Elliman. You can visit TopTenRealEstateDeals.com for more historic, spectacular, and celebrity homes and real estate news, or peruse Celebrity Home Video Tours.

Editors' Recommendations

Kelsey Machado
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kelsey is a professional interior designer with over a decade of experience in the design field. With a passion for…
12 classic sci-fi books everyone should read
If you love science fiction and reading, these classic sci-fi novels are a must
Man reading a book and drinking coffee

It may feel like we were recently living in a science-fiction dystopia life -- and in some ways, we were -- but that doesn't mean that we should simply avoid an entire genre of writing. Hardly. In fact, this is probably the perfect time to explore classic sci-fi books, to see what the masters have written, and maybe even see if someone predicted anything like this. Many, though, simply ignore sci-fi wholly and completely because of an association with robots, aliens, and the like.

Long story short, if you think you don't like sci-fi, you have never read great books from the genre. But indeed, many such books abound, including a number that has delighted generations of readers going back well over 150 years. In fact, one of the best things about so many sci-fi books is their very timelessness. As by definition, this type of fiction breaks away from the norms of the everyday world -- whether slightly twisting things or taking place on entire other worlds -- the stories often feel as fresh and relevant today as when they were published decades ago.

Read more
The 7 best classic fantasy books to get lost in
Even adults can enjoy entering the fantasy world
Man reading a book

Using the term "fantasy" when it comes to fiction, we are admittedly casting a pretty wide net. After all, think about just how many shows and movies could technically be considered fantasy, too. If. we're talking about classic, canonical fantasy, though, the net shrinks considerably. If a book is to stand the test of time to be considered a classic -- regardless of genre -- it has to be damn good. At the risk of offending plenty of authors and fantasy fans both of yesteryear and today, most fantasy writing ... how should I put this? In a few decades, it won't be on some future writer's list of fantasy classics.

I say all that as an absolute fan of fantasy writing. From the Game of Thrones books, our era's Lord of the Rings, to the novels of Neil Gaiman, to the Twilight series (except not that), there is a plethora of great fantasy writing being produced today. But if you're looking to get into the genre or are already an aficionado with a few gaps in your reading list, classic fantasy novels are always a fine choice, as are classic mysteries, classic adventure books, and on it goes across every genre of literature.

Read more
How do cigars make you feel? My experience as a cigar smoker
Man smoking a cigar in a newsboy cap outside.

Most enthusiasts and cigar lovers smoke for more than just the appearance. In other words, it's not about looking cool or suave but about the experience itself. Smoking a good cigar is flavorful, pleasurable, and relaxing, and, on occasion, may even make you feel light-headed or give you a slight buzz -- although it's nothing like drinking or imbibing other common substances. For someone who's never smoked before or is interested in getting into the hobby, wondering just how cigars make you feel is a valid concern. What can you expect, and what is it about cigars that change the experience for better or worse?
How does a cigar make you feel?

For the most part, a cigar experience is pleasurable and relaxing, but nothing more. You don't smoke to feel something, so it's not like drinking alcohol or taking other substances in the sense that you're doing it to chase a particular feeling. If you like drinking for the taste or the flavors, that's the best comparison to smoking a cigar. A good cigar will be aromatic but also leaves a lot of nuanced flavor on your tongue and, if you retro-hale, in your nostrils. You'll get hints of chocolate, coffee, leather, spice, and maybe even some sweet tones like fruit. It depends on the cigar and the blend.

Read more