Building a house is usually a headache. Building the largest single-family home in the United States? That’s a whole different level of chaos. Honestly, most people know the Queen of Versailles home from the 2012 documentary that captured the Siegel family’s spectacular rise and crashing fall during the Great Recession. But here we are, well over a decade later, and the house is still the talk of Windermere, Florida.
It’s big. Like, really big.
We’re talking about a 90,000-square-foot monster modeled after the Palace of Versailles in France. David Siegel, the timeshare mogul behind Westgate Resorts, and his wife Jackie Siegel didn't just want a place to sleep; they wanted a monument. But life, lawsuits, and a global financial meltdown had other plans. If you’ve ever wondered why a house started in 2004 still hasn't seen a finished certificate of occupancy for every single room, you aren't alone. It’s a saga of gold leaf, massive debt, and a refusal to give up on a dream that many critics called a nightmare.
The obsession with the Queen of Versailles home
Why do we care? Maybe because it represents the peak of American excess. Or maybe because Jackie Siegel is actually pretty likable in her transparency about the whole mess.
The house is sits on a man-made hill in the posh Lake Butler Sound community. It was designed to have 14 bedrooms, 32 bathrooms, and a garage that can hold 30 cars. But the specs don't stop there. You’ve got three indoor pools, two outdoor pools, a ballroom that can hold 500 people, and a two-story movie theater with a balcony. It’s basically a boutique hotel disguised as a residence.
Construction stopped dead in 2008. The financial crisis hit Westgate Resorts hard, and the bank actually tried to foreclose on the unfinished shell. For years, the Queen of Versailles home sat there, rotting in the Florida humidity. Scavengers even broke in. It was a skeleton of a dream. But David Siegel fought back, regained his fortune, and the family eventually took the house back off the market. They decided to finish it, no matter how long it took.
What’s actually inside that massive shell?
If you walked into the foyer today, you’d see a five-ton stained-glass dome. That’s not a typo. Five tons. The grand staircase is made of Brazilian mahogany, which apparently took years to carve.
Jackie has been documenting the progress on her Discovery+ show, The Queen of Versailles Reigns Again. It’s a fascinating look at the logistical nightmare of high-end construction. Imagine trying to find enough matching marble for a 90,000-square-foot floor. It’s not like you can just go to Home Depot. They’ve had to source materials from across the globe, often waiting months for shipments of stone or custom metalwork to arrive at the Florida docks.
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The kitchen situation is also wild. There isn't just one. There’s a commercial-grade kitchen for catering, plus several smaller kitchens throughout the wings of the house. Why? Because if you’re in the bedroom wing and you want a snack, walking to the main kitchen would literally be a five-minute hike.
- A British-style pub is hidden somewhere in the floor plan.
- The master suite is 8,000 square feet. That is larger than most luxury mansions in the surrounding area.
- There's a dedicated "Benji’s Room" in honor of their late daughter, Victoria, which adds a layer of heavy, real-world tragedy to all the gold-plated luxury.
Why it’s taking forever (and the $100 million price tag)
Let’s be real: money is usually the reason things stop, but for the Siegels, it’s also about the sheer scale of the finishing work. You can’t just hire a local contractor to handle a ballroom. You need specialists.
The budget has ballooned. While the initial estimates were high, current valuations suggest the Queen of Versailles home could be worth upwards of $100 million once it’s actually done. But "done" is a relative term. Every time they finish a wing, it seems like Jackie finds a new project or a new room to renovate.
There's also the "Florida factor." Building a house this size in a hurricane zone means the structural requirements are insane. The windows alone cost millions because they have to be impact-resistant and capable of handling massive wind loads. Then you have the HVAC. Can you imagine the electric bill for cooling 90,000 square feet in 95-degree humidity? We’re talking about a cooling system that looks more like something you’d find at an international airport than a house.
The Great Recession and the pivot
In 2010, the Siegels were forced to put the house on the market for $75 million "as-is" or $100 million finished. Nobody bought it.
The world watched as they moved into a smaller (though still huge) home and tried to navigate the collapse of their empire. It was a humbling moment that humanized them to a lot of viewers. David Siegel famously said he "didn't want to be the richest man in the cemetery," but his drive to finish Versailles seems to be about proving a point. He didn't want the house to be a monument to failure.
Now that the business is back on top, the spending has resumed. But they aren't just building a house; they’re building a brand. The Queen of Versailles home is now a media asset. It’s a filming location, a social media backdrop, and a piece of pop culture history.
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Common misconceptions about the Siegel mansion
Most people think the house is just a giant empty shell. It’s not. While many rooms are still under construction, large portions are being staged and finished.
Another big myth? That they’re broke. While the 2012 film made it look like they were losing everything, the Siegels managed a massive financial turnaround. David Siegel remains the CEO of Westgate Resorts, one of the largest privately held timeshare companies in the world. They have the cash. The delay is mostly about the meticulous (and sometimes agonizingly slow) process of custom craftsmanship.
Also, people often ask if they’ll ever actually live there. Jackie has stated in multiple interviews that the goal is to move in, but it’s hard to imagine a family of two parents and their children filling up 90,000 square feet. It’s more of a museum of their lives at this point.
The architectural style: Mediterranean meets French Baroque
It’s a bit of a mishmash. While the name says "Versailles," the exterior has heavy Mediterranean influences that are common in Central Florida luxury real estate. Think terra cotta, massive arches, and cast stone.
Inside, however, it’s all about the French Baroque. Think heavy ornamentation, gold leafing everywhere, and ornate moldings. It’s the kind of aesthetic that most modern minimalists would find "too much," but that’s exactly the point. The Siegels aren't doing minimalism. They’re doing "more-is-more."
The property also features a gatehouse that is larger than most American family homes. There’s a long, winding driveway that builds anticipation before you even see the main structure. It’s designed for maximum "wow" factor, intended to impress everyone from business partners to curious tourists driving by on the lake.
Impact on the local Windermere community
Windermere is known for old money and quiet estates. Then the Siegels arrived with a 90,000-square-foot palace.
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Initially, there was a lot of local pushback. Neighbors weren't thrilled about the years of construction noise or the "circus" that followed the documentary crew. However, over time, the Queen of Versailles home has become a bit of a local landmark. It’s the house you point out to people when you’re out on a boat on the Butler Chain of Lakes.
The sheer size of the property has actually helped maintain property values in a weird way. When a house that expensive is nearby, it sets a very high ceiling for what land is worth in the area.
What happens next?
The house is reportedly nearing completion, or at least a stage where the family can host events. They’ve already used parts of it for charity galas and holiday parties, even while crews were working in other wings.
For Jackie Siegel, the house is a legacy. It’s a testament to her husband’s career and their resilience as a family. For the rest of us, it’s a fascinating look at what happens when there are no limits on a construction budget—and what happens when life throws a wrench in the middle of a dream.
The Queen of Versailles home isn't just a building. It’s a story about the American Dream, the American Nightmare, and the strange, gilded space in between.
Actionable insights for those following the saga
If you’re fascinated by the construction or the Siegels' journey, here is how you can stay updated and what you can learn from their experience:
- Watch the updated series: If you only saw the 2012 documentary, you’re missing half the story. The Queen of Versailles Reigns Again on Discovery+ shows the modern renovation process and the technical challenges they face today.
- Follow the design trends: While 90,000 square feet is unattainable for most, the house features incredible work from master craftsmen. You can look at the "French Baroque" elements for inspiration in smaller-scale luxury design, particularly in custom cabinetry and molding.
- Study the "Recession Proofing" lesson: David Siegel’s ability to reclaim his company and his home is a case study in business resilience. For those in real estate or business, the Siegel story is a reminder of the importance of liquidity and the dangers of over-leveraging, even when you’re at the top.
- Monitor the Butler Chain of Lakes: If you’re ever in the Orlando area, the best view of the home is actually from the water. Local boat tours often include a pass by the Siegel estate, providing a scale of the home that you simply can't get from the street or Google Maps.