Ohio is home to some of the largest and most impressive houses in the United States. When looking for the biggest house in Ohio, there are a few contenders that stand out from the pack. In determining the biggest house, factors like square footage, number of rooms, lot size, unique features and historical significance come into play. Here’s an overview of some of the largest, most notable houses across Ohio and which one could potentially take the title of the very biggest.
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Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens (Akron)
One of the top contenders for the title is Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron. This historic estate and gardens spans 70 acres and has over 65,000 square feet of floor space, making it one of the largest homes in Ohio. It was built between 1912 and 1915 by F.A. Seiberling, co-founder of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. The Tudor Revival style mansion has original interior details like oak paneling, elaborate plasterwork and leaded glass windows. It has 65 rooms, including a music room, billiard room, sunroom, ballroom and 23 bathrooms. The home sits amidst stunning formal gardens, courtyards, a lagoon and other landscape features. Stan Hywet is open year-round for tours and hosts special events and programs.
Rock Hall (Lakewood)
Rock Hall in Lakewood, Ohio is another standout historic mansion that could potentially be the biggest house in the state. The stone English Tudor estate was built between 1929 and 1931 for John D. Rockefeller Jr. It has over 54,000 square feet of space across three floors. The home has a Great Hall with a six story ceiling, an oak paneled library, dining room with limestone walls, billiard room, solarium and 34 bedrooms. It was designed by architect Abram Garfield and landscaped with breathtaking gardens. After Rockefeller’s death, the property was donated to the city of Lakewood and later underwent restoration. It is open for public tours and hosts weddings, events and programs.
Philander Chase Knox Estate (Dublin)
The Philander Chase Knox Estate in Dublin, Ohio is a more contemporary option that could hold the record for biggest Ohio house. The French Normandy style mansion was custom built in 2002 on a 50 acre lot. It totals over 40,000 square feet with various wings and pavilions. Features include a two story library, commercial kitchen, swimming pool, tennis court, exercise room and 850-bottle wine cellar. There are a total of 11 bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, 5 kitchens and 18 fireplaces. The estate has amenities like an elevator, sophisticated security and audio visual systems. The grounds were meticulously landscaped and include fountains, gardens, trails and a pond. This ultra-luxurious property was listed for sale in 2012 for $9.65 million.
Salem Township Estate (Lebanon)
One of the more recently built mega mansions in Ohio is found in Salem Township in Lebanon. Referred to as “Rock Ridge Farm,” this French chateau style estate was custom built in 2010.It has about 33,000 square feet of living space situated on a 130 acre lot with riding stables. The limestone mansion features 10 bedrooms, 12 full and 5 half baths, a home theater, wine cellar and fitness center. It has ornate details like spiral staircases, palladian windows, crystal chandeliers and mahogany trim. The grounds include terraces, formal gardens, a lake and pool house. When listed for sale in 2021, the asking price was $15 million.
Pugh Cabin (Gallipolis)
While not as grand as some of the other contenders, the historic Pugh Cabin in Gallipolis has a claim to fame as the largest log structure in Ohio. Built circa 1806, the cabin’s walls are constructed from black walnut logs measuring over one foot thick. It encompasses around 3,000 square feet with two stories. The cabin was built by Peter Pugh and was passed down through generations of his family. In the 1980s, the cabin was donated to the Gallia County Historical Society and moved to its current location. It represents an impressive example of early Ohio architecture and pioneering craftsmanship. Though not as big as other Ohio mansions, the cabin’s construction makes it uniquely noteworthy.
Comparison Table
To help summarize the size and key features of these grand Ohio houses, here is an overview table:
| Name | Location | Style | Square Feet | Bedrooms | Bathrooms | Lot Size | Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens | Akron | Tudor Revival | 65,000 | 65 | 23 | 70 acres | 1912-1915 |
| Rock Hall | Lakewood | English Tudor | 54,000 | 34 | N/A | 20 acres | 1929-1931 |
| Philander Chase Knox Estate | Dublin | French Normandy | 40,000 | 11 | 16 | 50 acres | 2002 |
| Salem Township Estate | Lebanon | French Chateau | 33,000 | 10 | 17 | 130 acres | 2010 |
| Pugh Cabin | Gallipolis | Log Cabin | 3,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1806 |
The Verdict
Based on the square footage and amenity comparison, the biggest house in Ohio appears to be Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. Its 65,000 total square feet surpasses the other grand mansions. And while some homes like Rock Hall may rival it in bedrooms and other metrics, Stan Hywet’s overall size, ornate interior details, expansive lot and picturesque gardens help solidify its status as the largest and most impressive house in the state.
The other homes outlined also represent stunning examples of historic and modern architecture and demonstrate the variety of regal estates across Ohio. From sprawling French chateaus to majestic English manors, Ohio has some of the nation’s most remarkable mega mansions. But Stan Hywet Hall stands out as possibly the biggest and grandest of them all.
Its 65 rooms and 23 bathrooms can accommodate large events and extensive tours. The estate’s gardens and grounds also complement its vast interior space, with features like fountains, terraces, a lagoon and scenic trails situated across 70 acres. Built over 100 years ago as an opulent family residence, Stan Hywet has endured as a fascinating time capsule of craftsmanship. And while defining the “biggest” house involves weighing various factors, total square footage provides a clear metric for comparison. By surpassing other worthy mansions as the largest, Stan Hywet Hall solidifies its status as Ohio’s biggest house.
Additional Interesting Facts About Large Houses in Ohio
In addition to detailing some of the biggest and most impressive houses in the state, here are some other interesting facts related to large, luxurious homes in Ohio:
- Several Ohio cities rank among the top in the U.S. for number of mega mansions (homes over 10,000 square feet). Dublin, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus all made a Coldwell Banker 2022 list for most 10,000+ square foot homes.
- Ohio is home to two of the largest completed residential properties in the U.S. – the Philander Chase Knox Estate and the French Normandy Manor in Gates Mills (over 30,000 square feet).
- The most expensive home sale ever recorded in Ohio history was Le Palais Royal in the township of Mansfield, which sold for $6.5 million in 2012. The mansion has nearly 35,000 square feet of space.
- Highland House Gardens in Batavia was owned by the founder of Standard Oil and includes a hidden tunnel that extends underground all the way to downtown Cincinnati.
- Music mogul Lenny Kravitz owns a massive farm property in Medina County, Ohio that spans over 70 acres and includes a main residence, guest cottages, recording studio and equestrian facilities.
- The average size of a new single family home built in Ohio is around 2,700 square feet, significantly smaller than luxury mega mansion sizes.
- Several Ohio universities own large, historic mansions used today for fundraising events, weddings, tours and academic purposes, like Zook House at Ohio State University.
- In Akron, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens spans over 70 acres and took over 2,000 workers to build. It has its own security force, over 80 full-time and seasonal employees, and around 120,000 annual visitors.
Conclusion
With its immense scale and striking architecture, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens stands out as Ohio’s biggest and likely most impressive house. But the state has a range of regal estates that represent fascinating pieces of architecture and design. From sprawling French chateaus to stately Tudor manors, Ohio’s mega mansions showcase both the history and innovation that has shaped luxury residences in the Buckeye State. And they provide glimpses into the lives of titans of industry, arts and philanthropy who helped build and shape the region. For architecture buffs, history lovers or anyone intrigued by lavish homes, Ohio’s mansions like Stan Hywet offer plenty to explore and inspire awe.