$8.5 Million Dollhouse Amps Up ‘Holiday Under The Stars’: A New York Tradition at The Shops at Columbus Circle

Massive Stars Lit and Small Doors Open on Nov. 12
Free Indoor Exhibit Ideal for Cold, Shorter Days of Winter

NEW YORK – November 3, 2015 – Valued and insured at $8.5 million, The Astolat Dollhouse Castle will be on public display this holiday season at The Shops of Columbus Circle at Time Warner Center in Manhattan for the first time ever since being built in the 1980s. On November 12, the unveiling of the “dollhouse” will coincide with Time Warner Center’s lighting of its “Holiday Under the Stars” at 5 p.m., the largest specialty crafted exhibit of illuminated color mixing in the world featuring twelve 14-foot stars that hang from the ceiling of the 150-foot Great Room overlooking iconic Central Park.

Under the massive stars and through tiny doors is the world-famous Astolat Dollhouse Castle, built and furnished by master artisans. It features 29 rooms filled with 10,000 miniature pieces, including elaborate furniture, oil paintings, mirrors, fireplaces, gold miniature jewelry, rare-mini books more than 100 years old, fine rugs, fabrics, and pieces made of and silver and gold. Of course, like most Manhattan apartments, it has seven levels, stairways, hallways, a basement, a wine cellar, a kitchen and an armory. There are formal rooms, a library, a music room, a grand ballroom and a bar, and that’s before you get to the Wizard’s tower on the top level. Naturally, it’s fully wired and plumbed.

The Astolat Dollhouse Castle will be on display daily on the second floor Mezzanine through December 8 during retail store hours (check www.theshopsatcolumbuscircle.com for details). Admission to both the Astolat Dollhouse Castle and star viewing is free, courtesy of The Shops at Columbus Circle. Voluntary donations to benefit children’s charities are greatly appreciated given that is the real world mission of the dollhouse.

The renowned miniature artist Elaine Diehl, based in Colorado, designed and built the Castle over a 13-year period in the 1980s. Her inspiration was Elaine of Astolat, the heroine of the Victorian ballad, The Lady of Shalott by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Diehl commissioned fine craftsmen carpenters, goldsmiths, glass blowers, and silversmiths from around the world to furnish this incredible structure, the most ambitious project of her career. For more details, photos, and video visit: www.astolatdollhousecastle.com.

The Shops at Columbus Circle, located in Time Warner Center in the heart of Manhattan on Columbus Circle, is one of New York’s most iconic destinations and an urban oasis. It’s the place to dine, shop, live, entertain, work and be entertained. The soaring 2.8 million-square-foot landmark has transformed Columbus Circle into a cultural portal to Manhattan’s Upper West Side and Central Park.

Visit www.theshopsatcolumbuscircle.com to learn more and get the full schedule of events and activities throughout the holiday season.

Media Contacts Only:

Castle:

Risa B. Hoag, GMG Public Relations, 845-627-3000, [email protected]

The Shops At Columbus Circle:

Laura Mooney, Percepture, [email protected], 781-929-2064
Rene A. Mack, Percepture, [email protected], 201-312-4252

Media Note: Digital images and B-roll available upon request; as are interviews