The Tyecliffe Castle (formally the Wackenhut Estate) was built by George and Ruth Wackenhut. George Wackenhut was the founder of the Wackenhut Company, a worldwide leader in private law enforcement, security, and prison management.
Designed by famous Palm Beach, Florida architect, John Volk, ground was broken with the cornerstone laying in June of 1969. The castle was not completed until fall of 1974. Ruth Wackenhut was not only very particular to only use European artisans and craftsmen but also materials from all over the world in this magnificent structure.
Consisting of four buildings, the property spreads over 2.8 acres in Coral Gables, Florida. The Castle included a moat, a tower, a pub, a living quarter decorated in hunting lodge design, a man made cliff, and a monster master bedroom with elaborate "his" and "hers" bathrooms. Combined, the four structure compound encompassed 18,000 sq. ft. with 57 rooms.
Along with current owner, Sir Allen Stanford, Allison's Adam and Eve, an Architectural and Antique Salvage Company, in its preservation demolition was able to preserve almost all of the architectural beauty from the inside of the Castle. Preserved were over 300 lighting fixtures from numerous handcrafted sconces to the grand, wrought iron chandeliers. There are several one of a kind lighting fixtures designed specifically for the castle. The castle contained some of the most masterly created and designed stained glass windows with subject matter dating to the 17th Century, all of which have been preserved. With 57 rooms, there were over 100 solid oak doors with wrought iron hardware of all shapes, sizes, and architectural designs; several contain stained and leaded glass inserts. The doors probably represent the most outstanding collection of doors under one roof in the country. Finally, the castle contained 8 bathrooms and 6 bars with unique architectural designs. All the bathroom and bar fixtures and furniture are on display at Allison's.
All items preserved from the Castle are on display at our property at 528 16th Street, West Palm Beach FL 33407 and pictures of each item and the castle can be viewed at http://www.adamandevesalvage.com. or call 561.655.1022 or 561.582.2224.
