In the heart of Florida, nestled in the gated community of Lake Butler Sound in Windermere, stands an ambitious architectural marvel that has captured America’s imagination for over two decades. The Versailles mansion, named and modeled after the historic Palace of Versailles in France, represents one of the most extraordinary residential construction projects in American history. At 90,000 square feet, this palatial residence belongs to Westgate Resorts founder David Siegel and his wife Jackie, and upon completion, it will be one of the largest single-family homes in the United States.
The Vision Behind Versailles
The Siegels’ vision for their dream home began in 2004 when construction first broke ground on the 10-acre lakefront property. Built on a constructed hill, the residence was designed to be the primary home for the Siegel family, including their children. The architectural ambition behind Versailles goes far beyond creating a mere dwelling; it represents the manifestation of the American dream on an epic scale, a monument to aspiration that seeks to rival the historic estates of European royalty.
What makes this project particularly fascinating is not just its sheer size, but the meticulous attention to detail and the incorporation of rare and luxurious materials. The doors and windows, for instance, are constructed using some of the last remaining legal Brazilian mahogany, cut before the Brazilian government banned trade in big-leaf mahogany in 2001, at a cost of $4 million. The exterior walls feature precast concrete with Pavonazzo marble veneer, adding to the home’s opulent aesthetic.
Architectural Grandeur and Design Features
When visitors approach Versailles, they are immediately greeted by imposing bronze doors standing approximately 18 feet tall, leading into an entry hall that Jackie Siegel herself describes as “bigger than most people’s houses”. The grand entrance sets the tone for the extravagant experience within, featuring soaring ceilings and polished marble floors that reflect the glow of towering crystal chandeliers.
The mansion’s design specifications are nothing short of extraordinary. Upon completion, Versailles will include:
Nine kitchens (though some sources suggest as many as ten)
Fourteen bedrooms
Thirty bathrooms
Three indoor pools and two outdoor pools
A video arcade
A ballroom with capacity for 500 to 1,000 people
A two-story movie theater with a balcony inspired by the Palais Garnier
A 20,000-bottle wine cellar
An exotic-fish aquarium
Two tennis courts
A two-lane commercial grade bowling alley
A baseball diamond
A formal outdoor garden
An elevator in the master bedroom closet
A 35-car garage
A British-style pub
A dining room that can host 150 guests
One of the most spectacular features of the mansion is the grand ballroom, which features a glass dome ceiling inspired by the Vatican. The ballroom floor is being designed with embedded semi-precious stones—including turquoise and rose quartz—that reflect light in shades of deep blue and black. This space alone is designed to accommodate up to 1,000 guests, making it suitable for grand events and celebrations.
As the Siegels’ children grew older, modifications to the original plans included transforming playrooms into a yoga studio and a “teenager’s cave” with a second movie theater. This evolution of the design reflects how the home has adapted to the changing needs of the family over the two decades of construction.
A Journey Marked by Challenges
The construction of Versailles has been far from smooth. What was initially envisioned as a straightforward building project has turned into a two-decade saga marked by financial difficulties, natural disasters, and personal tragedy.
In 2009, with approximately 60% of the construction completed, work on the mansion stalled as Siegel’s company, Westgate Resorts, encountered financial difficulties during the global economic crisis. The economic downturn was so severe that the partially completed house was listed for sale at $65 million. This period of uncertainty was documented in Lauren Greenfield’s critically acclaimed 2012 documentary “The Queen of Versailles,” which brought international attention to the Siegels and their ambitious project.
However, as Westgate Resorts’ finances improved by 2013, Siegel came to own the property outright, and construction resumed with completion initially scheduled for 2016. Yet, the project continued to face setbacks.
In September 2022, Hurricane Ian caused significant damage to the property. Jackie Siegel reported that the hurricane resulted in over $10 million in damage, including flooding in the grand ballroom, caved-in ceilings, and roof damage. The flooding threatened years of hard work, setting the project back once again.
Beyond the financial and natural challenges, the Siegel family also experienced profound personal tragedy. On June 6, 2015, their 18-year-old daughter Victoria passed away due to acute methadone and sertraline toxicity. This devastating loss has become an important part of the family’s story and mission, as they have since dedicated themselves to raising awareness about drug addiction and overdose prevention through their foundation, Victoria’s Voice.
Current Status and Approaching Completion
After more than 20 years of construction, recent updates suggest that the Versailles mansion is finally nearing completion. In January 2025, Jackie Siegel shared an update on social media, showing progress on the interior of the home. In the video, she stated, “Well, I’m over at Versailles and we’re getting closer. We’re getting closer to getting done”.
While the areas featured in the video still showed signs of ongoing construction—with some floor boards missing and scaffolding still in place—the intricate gold and cream ceiling and breathtaking chandelier were visible, giving viewers a glimpse of the mansion’s future grandeur. The home is expected to appraise at over $100 million, with some estimates suggesting a value as high as $200 million, making it one of the most expensive residential properties in the United States.
According to recent reports, the grand opening of the Versailles mansion is planned for June 6, 2025. This date holds special significance for the Siegel family as it marks the 10-year anniversary of their daughter Victoria’s passing. The event will honor National Naloxone Awareness Day and serve as a platform for the family’s ongoing work to prevent drug overdose deaths through their foundation.
Media Attention and Public Fascination
The Versailles mansion has captivated public interest for years, becoming a symbol of extreme wealth and the pursuit of the American dream. The 2012 documentary “The Queen of Versailles” brought the project into the spotlight, chronicling the family’s journey and the challenges they faced during the economic downturn. The film was critically acclaimed and introduced audiences worldwide to Jackie Siegel and her ambitious vision.
A decade later, in 2022, the family returned to screens with the series “Queen of Versailles Reigns Again,” which first aired on Discovery+ before moving to HBO Max. This follow-up series provided viewers with an updated look at the construction progress and the family’s continued determination to complete their dream home.
Jackie Siegel has also been active on social media, sharing glimpses of the mansion with her followers. Her Instagram updates have allowed the public to follow the construction progress and get a sense of the opulence that awaits when Versailles is finally completed.
The Cultural Significance of Versailles
The Versailles mansion represents more than just an extravagant home; it has become a cultural touchpoint that sparks discussions about wealth, ambition, and the American dream. As one of the largest and most expensive single-family homes in the United States, it stands as a modern monument to what unlimited resources can create.
The project’s name itself—borrowed from the historic Palace of Versailles in France—evokes comparisons to royal residences and the grandeur of past eras. Just as the original Versailles was built to showcase the power and wealth of King Louis XIV, the Siegels’ Versailles serves as a contemporary display of American entrepreneurial success.
Yet, the mansion’s long construction timeline and the challenges faced along the way also tell a story about resilience and perseverance. Despite financial setbacks, natural disasters, and personal tragedy, the Siegel family has remained committed to completing their vision.
A New Chapter: From Personal Dream to Purposeful Platform
As the Versailles mansion approaches completion, it appears that its purpose has evolved beyond being merely a family residence. The planned grand opening event on June 6, 2025, which will honor National Naloxone Awareness Day and commemorate the anniversary of Victoria Siegel’s passing, suggests that the mansion will also serve as a platform for the family’s philanthropic efforts.
Through the Victoria’s Voice Foundation, the Siegels have worked to raise awareness about drug addiction and overdose prevention. The foundation advocates for the widespread availability of naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, and works to educate parents and young people about the dangers of drug use.
By using their high-profile home as a stage for this important cause, the Siegels are transforming what could be seen as a symbol of excess into a tool for positive social impact. As Jackie Siegel told the Orlando Business Journal, “The largest house in America will serve as a stage for saving lives”.
Conclusion
The Versailles mansion stands as a testament to ambition, luxury, and perseverance. From its inception in 2004 to its anticipated completion in 2025, this extraordinary residence has weathered financial storms, natural disasters, and personal tragedy to emerge as one of America’s most fascinating architectural projects.
With its 90,000 square feet of living space, nine kitchens, 14 bedrooms, multiple pools, and countless luxury amenities, Versailles represents the pinnacle of residential opulence. Yet, as the project nears completion, it also takes on new meaning as a platform for the Siegel family’s philanthropic work.
When the bronze doors finally open to welcome guests to the completed mansion, Versailles will not only be a home but a monument to the Siegel family’s journey—their successes, their struggles, and their commitment to making a difference in memory of their daughter Victoria. In this way, America’s modern palace transcends its original purpose, becoming something more meaningful than even its creators might have initially imagined.
As we’ve journeyed through the remarkable story of the Versailles mansion, from its ambitious beginnings to its approaching completion, we’ve witnessed not just the creation of America’s largest home, but the evolution of a family’s dream into a platform for meaningful change. When the doors finally open in June 2025, this extraordinary residence will stand as both a monument to luxury and a beacon of hope through the Siegels’ philanthropic work. For more fascinating stories about remarkable homes and architectural wonders, visit thisolderhouse, where we bring you the most extraordinary dwellings and their compelling histories.
