10 Overused Filming Locations You Never Noticed In Your Favorite Movies And TV Shows

Some of the most memorable movies have been filmed on the sprawling Gold Coast Mansion property. Situated between NYC and The Hamptons, Oheka Castle was built by investment financier Otto Kahn. As the second-largest private home in the United States—we’re talking 127 rooms—there are plenty of ornate backdrops to serve as settings for luxurious scenes.

After Kahn’s previous country home burned to the ground, he ensured that Oheka Castle was built from steel and concrete—making it one of the first completely fireproof homes. Now, the castle is a hotel with a bar, restaurant, sprawling gardens, and more.

Because of the estate’s splendor, we’ve seen it in plenty of films, TV shows, and even music videos. Renamed "Shadow Pond” and “Avalon Castle” in Royal Pains and As the World Turns, respectively, Oheka also served as inspiration for The Great Gatsby’s manor. The magnificent home was also a fixture in 1941’s Citizen Kane as the titular character’s Xanadu estate. Most recently, the castle has stood in for a French mansion in Hulu series, The Path.

With sweeping views, bubbling fountains, and lush gardens, the estate has served as a backdrop for many music videos, most notably Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space,” which coincidentally produced by Joseph Kahn (no relation.)