House Design

Look inside Abby Rockefeller O'Neill's elegant Long Island home – recently on the market

Explore the Rockefeller heiress' prestigious New York-based home

Abby Rockefeller’ house in Long Island
(Image credit: Courtesy of Douglas Elliman)

The Meriwether, an opulent estate on Long Island's North Shore and former home of Abby Rockefeller O'Neill, was recently listed for $8.1 million. 

The 17-room property, built during Long Island's Golden Age, was home to the Rockefeller heiress and her husband, George O'Neill. Abby was the eldest grandchild of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller and John D. Rockefeller Jr, the business magnate who is thought to be the wealthiest American of all time. 

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The estate belonged to the heiress for almost 70 years, after the O'Neill family purchased the home in 1950. She lived here, alongside the New York shore, until her death in 2017. 

Abby Rockefeller’s house entrance hall

(Image credit: Courtesy of Douglas Elliman)

This Georgian brick manor built a reputation as a home that was beaming with fun and generosity, as they welcomed many grandchildren and guests from their six children and numerous business and civic organization connections. Listing agent Douglas Elliman has described the property as an 'exceptional estate' which offers the 'quintessence of gracious Gold Coast living.'

The 31.5-acre estate, at 200 Sunset Road, is carved from the verdant hills of Oyster Bay Cove, a coastal neighborhood, which, despite its vast organic beauty, is less than an hour from the urban hustle of Midtown Manhattan. The home is nestled amid a maze of beaches, bars, and harbors and is accessed through an impressive circular courtyard that sets the tone for the rest of this stately property. 

Dining room in Abby Rockefeller’s house

(Image credit: Courtesy of Douglas Elliman)

Beyond Meriwether's eleven-bedrooms and seven-and-a-half-bathrooms is a 'ballroom sized' living room and a 'banquet-sized dining room that was the beating heart of entertainment amid this sociable home. The property showcases its heritage through its charming Georgian features, from its hardwood floors, high ceilings, oversized windows, and French doors, which all exhibit the home's enduring grandeur. 

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There is also a sweeping bridal staircase and an elegant study - complete with a luxurious WFH backdrop that is certain to impress during video calls. 

Carpeted staircase in Abby Rockefeller’s house

(Image credit: Courtesy of Douglas Elliman)

See: Bedroom ideas – designs and inspiration for beautiful bedrooms

Meriwether's Japanese maple-kissed exterior is equally impressive, with its statement inground Gunite pool, rocky waterfall, and bluestone patio, which is blessed in East Coastal sunshine. As a social hive, it is unsurprising the estate is complete with extensive accommodation for guests and additional staff quarters, which boasts a butler's pantry and a cook's kitchen.  

Wallpapered bathroom in Abby Rockefeller’ home

(Image credit: Courtesy of Douglas Elliman)

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Listing agents Regina Rogers and Jyll Kata handled the sale, and a buyer has recently signed a contract for the home. The agents described the estate as a 'rare gem sparkling in the center of an emerald necklace of fine residences called Oyster Bay Cove.'

Traditional bedroom in Abby Rockefeller’s house

(Image credit: Courtesy of Douglas Elliman)

We're now going to live vicariously through the life of the individual who will now call Meriwether home.

Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens, where she leads the celebrity/ news team. She has a history in interior design, travel, and news journalism, having lived and worked in New York, Paris, and, currently, London. Megan has bylines in Livingetc, The Telegraph, and IRK Magazine, and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore, Ayesha Curry, Michelle Keegan, and Tan France, among others. She lives in a London apartment with her antique typewriter and an eclectic espresso cup collection, and dreams of a Kelly Wearstler-designed home.