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With substantial wealth and a penchant for leisure, Morgan invested heavily in creating grand residences. In 1888, he commissioned the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead & White to design a summer villa called “Lighthouse Rock” in Newport, Rhode Island. This mansion, often called "The Newport Citadel," became an iconic example of Gilded Age opulence.
Simultaneously, Morgan turned his attention to Long Island’s North Shore. By 1890, he began developing what would become his most personal and elaborate estate: Whitely, a sprawling country estate named after the area of Old Westbury, New York. Covering more than 650 acres on the highest point of Witley Hill, the estate was a testament to architectural grandeur and luxurious living.