As American industrialism boomed at the close of the 19th century, so dawned the Gilded Age of wealth and opulence for the American elite.

However, even as their fortunes skyrocketed, capitalist tycoons still found themselves barred from many social hubs, which remained exclusive enclaves for the ‘old money’ set. Thus challenged, many of these American millionaires set about buying their way into high society by building their own hallowed halls, flaunting their fortunes through some of the most opulent estates in the Western world.

Click or scroll on to see inside some of these stately haunts...