Like many children, I had my fair share of toys growing up.
In fact, my mom would often come home to find them strewn all over the living room floor, much to her dismay. For those lucky few who've kept their childhood toys in good shape, this can mean big bucks. But for the rest of us? Well, we can always reminisce.
But when I learned why this toy in particular had the whole world talking, I was completely stunned.
Dubbed the "Astolat Dollhouse Castle," this one-of-a-kind dollhouse is currently on display in New York City and is totally wowing its visitors this holiday season.
Created by miniature artist Elaine Diehl, the house has taken over 13 years to build, with Diehl pouring over every detail — down to the miniature Bible that sits in one its many rooms.
Scroll through below to find out why this dollhouse is truly unlike anything you've ever seen!
Did you play with dollhouses as a child? Let us know in the comments.
Not only is this gorgeous dollhouse seven stories high...
... but its total cost? A whopping 8.5 million dollars, officially crowning it 'The World's Most Expensive Dollhouse.'
The house itself is actually a 29-room micro-mansion that’s filled to the brim with over 10,000 painstakingly crafted miniatures.
The house includes 'elaborate furniture, oil paintings, mirrors, fireplaces, gold miniature jewelry, rare mini books more than 100 years old, fine rugs, fabrics, and more,' according to its press release.
Costing more than most Manhattan apartments, this dollhouse boasts a basement, a wine cellar, a kitchen and an armory.
And the furniture? There are pieces custom crafted with real gold leaf and silver.
The house's incredible baby grand piano itself is valued at over $7,000!
According to the dollhouse’s official site, a large percentage of the miniatures and furniture ended up being more expensive to create than what their full size counterparts would have cost to build.
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.
When the lights go out, the dollhouse even has its own lighting system, complete with candles and a fake fireplace.
These miniature items, including made-to-scale recreations of famous paintings, are valued at upward of $2,000 per item.
This holiday season marks the first time the dollhouse is being shown in public since its initial construction in the 1980s.
Admission is free to marvel at this massive feat of construction, with the house weighing over 800 lbs. in total.
Though the dollhouse is built with such detail that it looks like a lavish Manhattan apartment, the Astolat Dollhouse Castle is only fit for a very tiny king.
Would you visit this amazing dollhouse with your family? Let us know in the comments.
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