WINDERMERE, Fla. – On the shore of Lake Butler, the “Versailles” of Windermere has been under construction for 17 years.
“It's the same size as a Super Walmart,” Jackie Siegel said she tells people when explaining the sheer scale of her future home.
The 90,000-square-foot mansion owned by Westgate Resort mogul David Siegel and his wife, Jackie Siegel, has been under construction on Kirkstone Lane since 2004.
"I think it's the only house in America that's not only under construction, but under renovation, at the same time,” Jackie Siegel said.
After a recent construction fire in the mansion’s elevator, Jackie Siegel gave News 6 a tour of the property.
Jackie Siegel said construction slowed when the recession hit in 2008 then again in 2015 when the Siegel's 18-year-old daughter Victoria died of an opioid overdose three years ago.
“We've gotten our strength back emotionally through the healing and we're back on track,” Siegel said. “We know our daughter would have wanted us to finish it and do the incredible things with the charity events.”
Jackie and David Siegel's book "Victoria's Voice," hits stands March 1, detailing their daughter's struggles with addiction.
Siegel said she's turning her pain into purpose with Versailles.
When the mansion is ready for guests sometime in spring 2020 Siegel said she envisions welcoming guests from all over the world at a grand opening fundraiser for their charity "Victoria's Voice." The Siegels started the charity in honor to raise awareness of the opioid abuse.
"We want to try to conquer it even though it it's getting worse and to our death we will fight this battle,” Siegel said.
As 2020 approaches, the work pace is speeding up, concrete was being pumped into one of six pools on the day News 6 was on site.
“The grand pool has a waterfall that then goes into a lap pool,” Siegel said, adding she doesn’t swim, but it’s for anyone who wants to, including am open invite to Olympic athlete Michael Phelps.
Outside the home, a formal garden will open to a set of stairs and through the entrance, door guests will enter into a Grande ballroom.
Other features in the mansion include a full-size roller rink and discotheque, nine kitchens, 30 bathrooms and 14 bedrooms.
“We have the health spa, the bowling alley, the wine cellar, the servant’s quarter and some guest suites overlooking the lake,” Siegel said on the tour.
On the home's lower level, a garage, which is now doubling as a storage area, will fit 30 cars.
The average homeowner won’t be able to recreate the décor on a trip to The Home Depot. Pointing to the ornate mantels, Siegel said the unique pieces came from a palace in Italy and all the marble is direct from the family’s quarry in Italy.
“Each piece was numbered to exactly where it was going to fit,” Siegel said. “This is like the largest jigsaw puzzle.”
Siegel said the home is valued at $100 million. People interested in following updates on Versailles construction can follow her on Instagram and Facebook @therealqueenofversailles.