The mansion began in 1910 as a modest bachelor’s retreat, built at a comfortable distance from the legendary concentration of Gold Coast estates located closer to New York City.
The original bungalow was perched high above Northport Bay.
On the waterfront below, a boathouse and wharf accommodated Mr. Vanderbilt’s greatest passion, sailing.
His other passion, motor car racing, is represented on the estate by the two-story automobile garage (now the museum’s Education Center) and by a large revolving turntable located on the lower level of the Memorial Wing, where Vanderbilt’s custom-built 1928 Lincoln touring car is displayed.
The design of the Eagle’s Nest mansion was unusual for estate architecture on Long Island.
Seldom seen in the region, its palatial Spanish Revival style is actually less “Spanish” than a personal evocation of Vanderbilt’s Mediterranean impressions as interpreted by his architects.
The estate was built in stages between 1910 and 1936.
Its features include a classic pantile roof, stucco facades, and a central courtyard.
The elegant ironwork was created by Samuel Yellin, the foremost iron artisan of his day.