Wedding venue loved by Taylor Swift files for bankruptcy... with only $57 left and $63 MILLION due to creditors
But it has now come to light that the popular venue - Oheka Castle in Huntington, Long Island - has filed for bankruptcy.
The Chapter 11 filing came with the property only having $57.27 left in its checking out with no cash on hand, according to court documents filed in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Kahn Property Owner LLC - its ownership entity - also reported to owe a staggering $63.5 million to creditors.
Gary Melius - the owner who still lives on site - filed for bankruptcy in order to save the place, he shared in a court statement.
He revealed that the castle had been in foreclosure for a decade and that the bank finally came down on him.
By filing for bankruptcy, Melius' hope is that he doesn't have to see it go up for auction.
The filing means that the property won't be totally liquidated and so the popular venue - which also served as the set for Orson Welles' Citizen Kane and HBO's Succession - can continue.
A Chapter 11 filing entails a process of financial reorganization rather than total liquidation.
'The weddings are all still on,' Melius told Newsday as a result, explaining that any bookings that have been made will continue without disruption.
The castle was originally 109,000 square feet when it was built in the 1920s.
But since the addition of the Terrace Room in 2003 - built to accommodate bigger parties - Oheka Castle is now an incredible 115,000 square feet with 117 rooms and 50 baths.
The castle also includes a hotel, restaurant, and several events space.
For those who choose to get married on the sprawling estate, couples can invite up to 350 guests.
While weddings start at about $70,000 for 50 guests, the price can go up to $300,000.
If you're just interested in staying in the hotel, a nightly stay starts at $495 and goes up to $1,295 a night if you get a suite.
The castle also offers special 'weekday packages' for couples looking for a romantic getaway or even expecting parents.
One of these packages - dubbed the Ultimate Romantic Evening Package for Two - costs $15,000.
This package includes a one-night stay in a luxury suite, round-trip limousine service, exclusive use of the ballroom, a seven-course gourmet dinner, white glove butler service, and much more.
And thanks to Melius's decision, if you're looking for a luxury wedding, the backdrop to your next music video, or a $15,000 night of romance, you can still have it at the Oheka Castle.
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