The Les Wexner House stands as one of the most impressive billionaire homes in America. Located in New Albany, Ohio, this massive 60,000-square-foot mansion belongs to Leslie Herbert Wexner, the business genius behind L Brands, which includes Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works. His luxury estate shows off both his wealth and his taste for fine architecture.
What makes the Wexner mansion special isn’t just its size but its influence on the entire town around it. New Albany has grown from a small village into an upscale community largely because of Wexner’s vision and investment. The Georgian-style architecture of his home set the tone for the whole area.
Few billionaire homes have shaped their surroundings quite like the Wexner residence. The estate sits on land that was once worth less than $200,000 but now forms part of a property valued at more than $45 million. This growth mirrors Wexner’s rise from a small shop owner to a retail giant with a net worth of about $6.3 billion.
As we explore this luxury home, we’ll look at how it reflects the man who built it – his business success, his attention to detail, and his desire to create not just a house but a legacy. The Wexner estate gives us a window into the world of one of America’s most successful businessmen.
The History of Les Wexner and His Fortune
Leslie Wexner’s path to wealth began in 1963 when he opened his first store called “The Limited” with a $5,000 loan from his aunt. The store focused on selling women’s clothing, and its success led Wexner to expand rapidly. His smart business move was spotting what other stores lacked – focused selection and quick turnover of trendy items.
By the 1980s, Wexner had grown his business into a retail powerhouse. He bought Victoria’s Secret for just $1 million in 1982 and transformed it from a small lingerie shop into a worldwide brand. His company eventually became L Brands, which included Bath & Body Works, Pink, and other famous stores. At its peak, L Brands had a value of about $6.2 billion.
Wexner’s wealth allowed him to start building his dream home in the 1980s. He began buying land in and around New Albany, Ohio, eventually collecting more than 10,000 acres. His vision wasn’t just for a personal mansion but for creating an entire community built to his standards. The land where his mansion now sits was valued at only $192,300 in 1987.
In 2020, Wexner stepped down as CEO of L Brands after nearly six decades. He sold a majority stake in Victoria’s Secret for $525 million to a private equity firm. Despite stepping back from active management, his fortune remains substantial, allowing him to maintain his luxurious lifestyle and his magnificent Ohio estate.
Architectural Design and Features
The Les Wexner House showcases classic Georgian architecture, a style known for its symmetry and formal design. This choice wasn’t random – Wexner wanted his home to set the standard for the entire New Albany community. The mansion features red brick exterior walls, white trim, and multiple chimneys that give it a stately, traditional appearance.
Large columns frame the main entrance, creating a grand first impression for visitors. The windows are perfectly aligned and proportioned, following Georgian design principles. The mansion’s roof includes multiple dormers and decorative elements that add to its elegant profile. Landscape architects carefully planned the surrounding gardens to complement the house.
Thierry Despont, a renowned designer who has worked on famous projects like the restoration of the Statue of Liberty, reportedly helped with the interior design. The mansion was built to last generations, using high-quality materials and craftsmanship throughout. Every exterior detail, from the gutters to the window frames, was carefully considered.
The grounds include formal gardens inspired by European estates, with pathways, fountains, and carefully placed statues. Security features blend seamlessly into the landscape, with gates and surveillance systems that protect without disrupting the estate’s beauty. The property’s vast size creates a natural buffer zone, giving the family privacy while still allowing for stunning views from inside the home.
Interior Tour
Inside the Wexner mansion, luxury becomes reality in every room. The grand foyer welcomes visitors with marble floors, soaring ceilings, and a magnificent staircase that curves upward to the second floor. Crystal chandeliers hang throughout the home, casting warm light on walls adorned with valuable artwork from Wexner’s collection.
The formal living and dining rooms can host dozens of guests for elegant gatherings. These spaces feature custom woodwork, fireplaces with hand-carved mantels, and furniture selected to complement the home’s Georgian style. The mansion includes multiple kitchens – a main chef’s kitchen for large events and smaller family kitchens for daily use.
The master bedroom suite spans an entire wing of the house, with separate dressing rooms, bathrooms, and sitting areas. Guest bedrooms each have private bathrooms and views of the estate grounds. Reports suggest the house contains more than a dozen bedrooms and twenty bathrooms, though exact numbers haven’t been confirmed publicly.
Special amenities make the Les Wexner House extraordinary. These include an indoor swimming pool, a home theater with plush seating, a library with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and a gym with state-of-the-art equipment. Art lovers would appreciate the gallery spaces designed specifically to display paintings and sculptures from Wexner’s collection. Each room blends beauty with practical function, creating spaces that are both impressive and livable.
Security and Privacy Measures
Security at the Wexner estate combines high-tech systems with thoughtful design. The property’s perimeter features fencing and gates that control all entry points. Advanced surveillance cameras monitor the grounds day and night, while motion sensors alert security staff to any unusual activity. These systems protect the family without being obvious to visitors.
Privacy was a key consideration in the estate’s design. The long driveway keeps the main house far from public roads, and strategic landscaping blocks views from outside. Trees and hedges create natural screens that hide outdoor living areas from prying eyes. The property’s large size provides a buffer zone that few other homes can match.
When the Wexners host events, security teams follow careful protocols. Guest lists are checked, vehicles are screened, and staff members watch for anything out of place. The mansion includes secure rooms where valuable items can be stored during large gatherings. Security personnel can monitor the entire property from a central command center.
Location and Property Details
The Wexner estate sits in New Albany, Ohio, a suburb northeast of Columbus that Wexner himself helped develop. What was once farmland has been transformed into an exclusive community with the Wexner property at its heart. The mansion is located on Kitzmiller Road, in an area now known for its luxury homes and manicured landscapes.
At 60,000 square feet, the main house is truly massive – about 23 times larger than the average American home. The estate sprawls across hundreds of acres, making it one of the largest private residences in Ohio. From above, you can see how the property includes not just the main house but also guest houses, recreational facilities, and extensive grounds.
The surrounding property features perfectly maintained gardens, woods, and open spaces. Wexner’s estate includes multiple swimming pools, tennis courts, and even horse stables. The driveway alone stretches for nearly a mile, winding through trees before reaching the imposing main house.
What makes the New Albany estate even more remarkable is how it connects to the town itself. Wexner didn’t just build a home; he helped design an entire community. The roads, parks, and even the architectural style of New Albany all bear his influence. His property size extends beyond his residence to include significant portions of the town’s land.
The Wexner Estate’s Impact on New Albany
The Wexner estate changed New Albany forever. Before Wexner began buying land in the 1980s, New Albany was a small rural village. Today, it’s one of Ohio’s wealthiest communities, with million-dollar homes, top schools, and beautiful public spaces. Wexner didn’t just build a house – he created a vision for an entire town.
Working with business partner Jack Kessler, Wexner established the New Albany Company to develop the area according to strict standards. They required Georgian-style architecture throughout the community, creating a cohesive look that starts with Wexner’s mansion. Wide streets, brick sidewalks, and white fences became New Albany’s trademarks, all inspired by Wexner’s taste.
The economic impact has been huge. Wexner attracted major businesses to the New Albany Business Park, bringing jobs and tax revenue to the area. Companies like Abercrombie & Fitch, Discover Financial Services, and Bob Evans Farms built facilities there. Property values throughout New Albany rose dramatically, turning farmland into some of Ohio’s most desirable real estate.
Wexner’s philanthropic efforts strengthened his community ties. The Wexner family donated millions to local causes, helping build schools, parks, and cultural centers. The New Albany Arts Center and other community facilities exist largely thanks to their support. While some criticize the town’s exclusivity, few can deny that Wexner’s vision transformed what was once farmland into a carefully planned community centered around his remarkable estate.
Controversies and Media Coverage
The Wexner mansion has faced its share of controversy over the years. Most notably, Wexner’s former financial advisor, Jeffrey Epstein, reportedly stayed at guest houses on the property. After Epstein’s crimes became public, questions arose about their relationship and activities that may have occurred on Wexner properties. Wexner has stated that Epstein misappropriated funds from him and that he cut ties with Epstein in 2007.
Media coverage of the estate has varied widely. Architectural publications have praised its design and attention to detail, while business magazines have used it as a symbol of Wexner’s retail success. In contrast, news outlets investigating the Epstein scandal have portrayed the property more critically, raising questions about what happened behind its gates.
Privacy concerns have made the Wexner family reluctant to allow media access to their home. Few photographs of the interior exist in public circulation, leaving much to speculation. This mystery has only increased public curiosity about the mansion, leading to sometimes exaggerated stories about its features and cost.
The estate has also faced criticism for its size and extravagance in a state where many struggle financially. Some see it as a symbol of wealth inequality, while others view it as a personal achievement that created jobs and improved the surrounding area. These conflicting views reflect broader debates about billionaire homes and the responsibility to local communities.
Conclusion
The Les Wexner House stands as both a personal residence and a lasting legacy. From modest beginnings, Wexner built not only a retail empire but also one of America’s most impressive private estates. The 60,000-square-foot Georgian mansion reflects his business success, attention to detail, and vision for creating beauty that lasts.
Beyond its walls, the Wexner estate’s greatest impact may be on New Albany itself. What was once farmland valued at less than $200,000 has transformed into a carefully planned community worth millions. The architectural standards Wexner established have created a cohesive look throughout the town, making New Albany instantly recognizable.
Today, despite controversies and changes in Wexner’s business life, the mansion remains his primary residence. Though he stepped down as CEO of L Brands in 2020, his influence continues through his real estate holdings and philanthropic work. His net worth of approximately $6.3 billion ensures the estate will be maintained to the highest standards.
The story of Les Wexner House reminds us that luxury homes often reflect the personalities of their owners. Just as Wexner built his retail empire by paying attention to details others missed, his mansion shows the same careful planning and emphasis on quality. For those interested in billionaire estates, architectural history, or business success stories, the Wexner property offers valuable lessons about vision, persistence, and creating lasting value.
Comments are closed.