Paul Castellano House: Inside the $18M Staten Island Most Infamous Mob Boss Tour
Today, we are stepping inside one of the most infamous mansions in New York history — the Paul Castellano House in Todt Hill, Staten Island. This is not just a luxury estate. It is a property deeply tied to organized crime, power, and excess.
Built in 1980, the massive 33,000-square-foot mansion at 177 Benedict Road is currently listed for $18 million. With 8 bedrooms, 17 bathrooms, indoor and outdoor pools, a 13-car garage, and Carrara marble interiors, it earned the nickname “The White House” among both his crew and the FBI. If you love exploring iconic celebrity properties like the Jeffree Star House, this Staten Island legend belongs at the top of your list.
Who Was Paul Castellano?
Paul Castellano, born June 26, 1915 in Brooklyn, led the Gambino crime family from 1976 until his assassination on December 16, 1985. Known as “Big Paulie” and “The Howard Hughes of the Mob,” he ran his empire from his Staten Island mansion — a scale of power that rivals even the legendary Jerry Jones House. John Gotti ended his reign outside Sparks Steak House in Manhattan.
Paul Castellano House: Property Snapshot
Before we walk through the doors, here is a quick look at everything that makes this estate so extraordinary. These numbers tell the story of one of the most iconic mob properties in American history.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 177 Benedict Road, Todt Hill, Staten Island, NY 10304 |
| Build Year | 1980 |
| Original Build Cost | $3.5 million |
| Current Listing Price | $18 million |
| Last Sale Price | $3.1 million (2000) |
| Square Footage | 33,000 sq ft |
| Lot Size | 1.75 acres |
| Bedrooms | 8 |
| Bathrooms | 17 |
| Garage | 13-car showroom-style |
| Special Features | Indoor + outdoor pools, home theater, wine cellar, gym, sauna, beauty salon, solarium, library, billiards room |
| Architectural Style | Neo-Classical Grand Estate |
Paul Castellano House Location
The Paul Castellano house sits at 177 Benedict Road, corner of St. James Place, Todt Hill — Staten Island’s highest and most exclusive neighborhood. From Manhattan, cross the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, take the Staten Island Expressway south toward Richmond Road, and follow into the Todt Hill hills. The street is quiet and private, with neighbors like former Mets pitcher John Franco — a level of exclusivity that echoes properties like the Donnie Swaggart Mansion — with clear Verrazzano Bridge views and just 30 minutes from Midtown Manhattan.
My Visit to Paul Castellano’s House
As Todd Lynch from Urbansfreaks, I spent weeks researching the Paul Castellano house before a New York real estate contact arranged a quiet exterior visit one Tuesday morning. Driving down Benedict Road, the atmosphere shifted immediately — wider streets, towering trees, and deliberate privacy all around.
Pulling up to 177 Benedict Road, the white facade hits you instantly through the trees. The symmetry, scale, and commanding presence are unlike anything I have seen. Built to project power — it still does.
Inside Paul Castellano House Tour: interior and other features
Step inside and let me walk you through every corner of the Paul Castellano house. From the marble foyer to the 13-car garage, this estate is unlike anything you have ever seen.
Enterance
The foyer sets the tone immediately. The entrance hall and dining room are lined with imported Carrara marble — the same stone used in some of the world’s finest buildings. Ceiling heights are generous throughout, giving the interior a grand, palazzo-like feel. The home underwent extensive renovations after its 2000 sale, bringing modern upgrades while preserving the original character Castellano built.
Dining Area
The formal dining room is the most historically significant space in the property. Fully lined with Carrara marble and large enough to seat a significant crowd, this is where Castellano held mob sit-downs. The FBI spent years trying to get a listening device into this room — eventually succeeding by sending an undercover agent posing as a cable repairman, a story documented in the Netflix series Fear City: New York vs The Mafia.
Kitchen
The kitchen is commercial-grade, which makes sense given Castellano’s background in wholesale meat through his business Dial Poultry. It was built to handle large-scale entertaining regularly, with professional appliances and a layout connected directly to the formal dining room. The kitchen has been updated since 2000 while keeping its generous original footprint.
Master Bedroom
All eight bedrooms are en-suite, each with its own full bathroom. The master suite is spacious with large closets, sitting areas, and windows that make full use of the Todt Hill elevation. Views from the upper floors stretch toward the Verrazzano Bridge and the open water beyond — spectacular on a clear day.
Bathroom
With 17 bathrooms across the property, the finishes throughout include marble, high-end tilework, and luxury fixtures updated in the post-2000 renovation. Master bathrooms feature soaking tubs, multi-head showers, and double vanities. Even the guest bathrooms carry a level of finish that exceeds most luxury homes.
Home Office
The private library is a quiet space with built-in shelving — fitting for a boss who preferred strategy over violence. It sits within easy reach of the main rooms while offering real privacy, and works perfectly today as a high-end home office for any buyer who values a dedicated workspace.
Outdoor Living Spaces
The 1.75-acre grounds include both indoor and outdoor Olympic-sized pools, a manicured boccie court that Castellano added personally, English-style formal gardens, and multiple outdoor terraces with Verrazzano Bridge views. A private gym and sauna connect from the main building. The outdoor entertaining setup is as impressive as the interior.
Property History
Built between 1976 and 1980, the White House served as Castellano’s home until his 1985 assassination, after which his wife Nina lived there until her death in 2012. The property sold in 2000 for $3.1 million to Salmar Properties CEO Sal Rusi, who carried out extensive renovations. It was first listed at $16.8 million in June 2023, sat unsold for 12 months, and was relisted at $18 million by RJM Realty Empire Inc. in late 2024. The FBI surveillance operation inside the dining room became one of the most famous episodes in the property’s history.
How Much Is Paul Castellano House Worth?
Originally built for $3.5 million in 1980, it sold in 2000 for just $3.1 million due to the stigma of its history. Today it is listed at $18 million — the most expensive residential listing in Staten Island history by a wide margin. The next most expensive nearby listing sits at $7.8 million, and a home directly across the street at 176 Benedict Road recently set a borough record after listing at $8.95 million — less than half the Castellano asking price.
Where Did Paul Live Now?
Paul Castellano lived at 177 Benedict Road, Todt Hill, Staten Island, New York. He built his grand 33,000-square-foot mansion there between 1976 and 1980 and called it home until his assassination in December 1985. Todt Hill is the highest and most exclusive neighborhood in Staten Island, which Castellano chose deliberately for its privacy, prestige, and distance from the city streets where his criminal empire operated.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
Got questions about the Paul Castellano house? Here are the most common things people ask about this iconic Staten Island mansion and its fascinating history.
Is the Paul Castellano house for sale?
Yes, currently listed at $18 million through RJM Realty Empire Inc.
Where is the Paul Castellano house in Staten Island?
177 Benedict Road, Todt Hill, Staten Island, NY 10304.
Is the Paul Castellano house on Zillow?
Yes — search 177 Benedict Road, Staten Island, NY 10304 for the current listing.
What is the Paul Castellano house worth today?
Listed at $18 million, the most expensive residential listing in Staten Island history.
What was the Paul Castellano house like in the 1980s?
The operational headquarters of the Gambino family — Carrara marble interiors, grand entertaining rooms, Olympic pool, boccie court, and heavy security throughout.
What is the Paul Castellano house in Todt Hill?
A 33,000 sq ft, four-story Neo-Classical estate at 177 Benedict Road, built 1976–1980, known as “The White House.”
What is the current status of the Paul Castellano house listing?
Listed at $18 million by RJM Realty Empire Inc., on the market since late 2024, no confirmed buyer as of writing.
Final Thoughts
The Paul Castellano house is impossible to summarize simply. It is a masterpiece of 1980s grand estate design, a fully equipped luxury home, and one of the most historically significant private properties in American crime history.
At $18 million, it is priced for a buyer who wants not just a magnificent home but an unforgettable story. Castellano built something designed to last, impress, and communicate power — and four decades later, it still does. Many of our clients come to us inspired by properties exactly like this, drawn to commanding scale and unapologetic confidence in every room. We would love to help you bring that energy home.At Urbansfreek.com, we help homeowners capture that exact feeling every day.If you read it here, don’t stop — there are many more House Tours for you to explore.
