Vanderbilt: An Architectural Legacy | DOCUMENTARY

Step into the world of America's once richest family, the Vanderbilts! 🏰✨ Join Ken on a captivating journey through the Vanderbilt's opulent mansions, where luxury knew no bounds. From the iconic Triple Palace in Manhattan to the breathtaking Biltmore Estate, discover how these architectural marvels reflect the Vanderbilt's immense wealth and cultural legacy. Peek inside their lavish lifestyles, hear untold stories, and explore the societal impact during the Gilded Age. Don't miss this chance to uncover the hidden splendors of American history!

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0:00 Intro
0:32 Rise of the Vanderbilts
1:54 William H. Vanderbilt
7:05 George Vanderbilt
12:09 Willie K. Vanderbilt
20:23 Cornelius Vanderbilt II
30:04 Frederick William Vanderbilt
34:42 An Architectural Legacy

Public Domain Photos from: Library of Congress, Wikipedia Commons, Daderot, National Parks Service, Columbia University Libraries, Cbaile19, Watson Library Digital Collections, Mr. Vanderbilt's House and Collection
Assets from: Envato Elements
Music from Epidemic Sound

[theUrbanJoe]

Of all the Vanderbilt mansions I’ve seen Biltmore is my favorite inside and out. I’m glad George had the foresight to envelope it within a productive landscape to help sustain and preserve it.

[whigparty]

Thank you Ken for your most glorious episode yet. Utterly fascinating and entirely mind-blowing. Your heart breaks when hearing how virtually all of the Manhattan mansions were demolished. Such a shame they weren't protected and preserved for posterity. Favourite? How can one choose between Biltmore and the Breakers?? Heaven or paradise? Rolling hills and forests or the sea? In the end, and though it's a tough choice, it'll have to be The Breakers.
All one can say is: thank God for the Vanderbilts!

[dlcalbaugh]

It is such a shame that so many grand houses in America have been torn down. I haven't visited any of the houses you presented here but I am glad that some are still open to the public. Thank you for the great videos you put out. This one could be straight out of the History Channel. You have done a wonderful job with this one.

[bonnieikamas]

Biltmore is my favorite! A dear friend and I visited it in November of 2013 and it was superb!!!🌹

[lisab]

Biltmore is simply a stunning estate. The grounds are equally as beautiful as the house, so much so, that I have gone there just to stroll through the flowers.

[J_Thomas]

I visited Biltmore over the weekend. Words and pictures cannot do it justice. I was awestruck, not only by the architecture but also the furnishings and just to be able to walk through an icon of that era.... I'll definitely go back at some point.

[LJB]

Vineland, like the original Breakers, was built by a Lorillard and then purchased by a Vanderbilt. The Versace store at 647 Fifth Avenue was originally George's NYC home. You forgot one: Eliza Vanderbilt Webb's Shelburne Farms in Vermont. Excellent video.

[samantha]

I absolutely loved this episode; how you shared all of the homes built and lived in by this family was excellent. Thank you for all your hard work, I enjoy it so much!!

[doraanderson]

Thank you for the history of all the houses of the Vanderbilt family I loved all of them they were beautiful historical breathtaking thank you again

[vickiedouglas]

The Breakers has a special place in my heart. While living on the island I went often. The dining room ceiling and the tile mosaic on the floor of the back porch are two of my favorite features. When it's decorated for Christmas it's an absolute dream. I'm not able to travel any more but I would have liked seeing Biltmore.

[jetsons]

They're all works of art. But for me they are all a bit on the big side, but if I was forced to take one it would be the one with the pool in the basement -- the George Vanderbilt house designed by Olmsted. Thanks for your time, work and posting. What a great watch.

[jefflawrentz]

While I can appreciate their opulance, for me I don’t find any of the houses to be home-like. I do appreciate their history. It would be interesting to know if any Vanderbilt descendants watch this and see what they have to offer on them. Thanks, Ken; you did an excellent job presenting this!

[joannecordelia]

So many of hear videoed on the Vanderbilt family are dull and boring. So many just complaining of their status and opulence. Yours was much more forthcoming and yet truthful. Worth the watch. Thank you.

[krevin]

Marble House is my favorite for absolute luxury. I have toured the biltmore and it is amazing too- especially with its opulent gardens, winery and village.

[rmariu]

Thank you Ken. I really enjoyed seeing and hearing about all the mansions they built. It's incredible the workmanship that went into them which unfortunately is no longer seen in modern mansions. It's all low ceilings and plasterboard with disco lights.

[winkieblink]

I’ve read on The Biltmore and it’s was a phenomenal venture to tackle way back when for the Land, Gardens, Farms, Mansion and keeping up with ALL THE ACREAGE of the property. AND THEY started with NOTHING….the forest was in the distant background. They brought in ALL THE TREES! I would love to see it one day.

[cassandraralph]

Two words: absolutely gobsmacked!!!! 💯

[nicknick]

I wonder what it would really cost to build one of these today. Inflation calculations are one thing, but permits, inspections, hiring now rare trades, etc. these were true works of arts that today’s cost cutting builds cannot compete with.

[jasonwomack]

A video about Richard Morris Hunt would be interesting. I can't be the only one who's curious what he did with all the money he raked in from these commissions.

[commonlaw]

Just completed a total kitchen remodel. Got torn down to the studs. There is no way I could commandeer a project the likes of any of these mansions. Too many decisions. Ken, Thank you for these videos. I enjoy them very much.