Wyndemere Castle is situated on Spoon Island, on the outskirts of Port Charles. It is believed to have been leased to the city a long time ago by the Mohawk Nation. The property is deemed a part of the Cassadine family's inheritance. The harbor ferry, also known as the launch, for Spoon Island departs from Pier 55. The island is distinguished by its extensive underground cave network with secret tunnels within the castle, a parapet, as well as docks, a cottage, and a horse stable, which was once home to Charlotte Cassadine's beloved horse, Butterscotch.
Spoon Island[]
History & Origin[]
Wyndemere is the mansion located on Spoon Island, often referred to as a castle. The island was initially purchased from the city in 1882 by Washington Wyndham, the founder of Wyndham's Department Store, who constructed the castle and named it after himself. Following his death, the island lay abandoned until Iona Huntington, Katherine Delafield's aunt, assumed ownership. She eventually left it, and in 1989, Ned Ashton acquired the island from Iona. Ned had planned to gift it to his fiancée, Dawn Winthrop. Iona returned to Port Charles upon recalling that she had hidden plates for an antiquated counterfeiting machine within the castle years ago. She infiltrated the mansion, retrieved the counterfeiting plates, and succumbed to the temptation of printing counterfeit five-dollar bills at Katherine's residence.
In December 1989, during a New Year's Eve party hosted by Dawn and Decker Moss, Robert Scorpio fell down the stairs at Wyndemere as midnight struck. Although his aftershave had been poisoned by Mary Finnegan's nephew Jimmy O'Herlihy, he did not use it. Instead, he seized the opportunity to collaborate with Sean Donely, Anna Devane, Frisco Jones, Tiffany Hill, and Katherine to temporarily fake his death.
Cassadine's Castle[]
Following Faison's presumed death, the Cassadines assumed control of the island, with Stefan Cassadine and his nephew Nikolas relocating there in 1996. Their family maid, Mrs. Lansbury, would arrive to join them a few years afterward.
In 1997, Stefan uncovers a Cassadine Faberge egg embedded with a computer chip that could grant him control over global finances. He aimed to augment Nikolas' substantial inheritance with the chip's power. Luke Spencer, discerning Stefan's scheme, disrupts the countdown by igniting a fire at Wyndemere Stables. Nikolas, determined to extinguish the fire, pleads for Stefan's assistance. Initially resistant, Stefan relents after a physical altercation causes Nikolas to fall and injure himself, prompting Stefan to forsake his malevolent ambitions and aid his nephew.
In May 1998, Stefan hosted the traditional Cassadine Bacchanalia Ball at Wyndemere to announce his engagement to Katherine Bell. Meanwhile, Luke Spencer and Alexis Davis schemed to use the event as a cover to assassinate Helena Cassadine. Disguised, Luke tampered with the parapet's railing, intending for Alexis to coax Helena into a fatal fall. However, it was Katherine who tragically plummeted to her death. Subsequently, Helena seized Katherine's corpse and revived her with an experimental drug. In a twist of fate, roughly a year later, Helena hurled Katherine from the same parapet, permanently ending her life after Katherine and Nikolas Cassadine developed a romantic relationship.
In June 2000, Emily Quartermaine, is shocked to wake up and find herself naked in bed with a syringe in her hand, alongside Ted Wilson, portrayed by Marcus Dean Fuller, who has been murdered. Elizabeth Webber, along with brothers Lucky Spencer and Nikolas, decide to help their friend by hiding Ted's body in a freezer at Wyndemere. Subsequently, Emily is blackmailed by Gia Campbell, who is aware that Emily was with Ted before his death.
In 2003, at the engagement party of Nikolas Cassadine and Emily Quartermaine, Summer Halloway was fatally pushed by a man named Darius, who was employed by Stefan. Darius had intended to push Emily, as per Stefan's orders. A henchman of Lorenzo Alcazar later infiltrated Wyndemere in an attempt to assassinate Stefan, leading to a fire that severely disfigured Stefan's face.
Subsequently, Luke arrived at Wyndemere with the intent to end Stefan's life. Luke eventually trapped Stefan on the cliffs of Spoon Island. As Luke approached with a knife, Stefan accused him of cowardice for attacking a defenseless man. Unperturbed, Luke was determined to kill him. In the ensuing struggle, Luke accidentally stabbed Stefan slightly in the chest. Stefan seized the knife, still embedded in his flesh, and used his strength to push it deeper. He leaned against Luke, driving the knife further into his chest, declaring Luke's life finished along with his own, and then fell backward from the cliff, the same one that claimed Summer's life. Luke released his grip, uncertain about his feelings towards the outcome. Stefan was later found by Lucky and succumbed to his injuries shortly after falling on the cliffs of Spoon Island.
Following Stefan's death, Nikolas Cassadine, the then-current owner, revealed that his family was facing financial difficulties, leading his aunt Alexis to put Wyndemere up for sale. Unbeknownst to him, Emily purchased it secretly and gifted it back to Nikolas as a Christmas surprise.
In 2004, Cody McCall was murdered in the Catacombs beneath Wyndemere Castle by his former business partner, Ben Rogers.
In 2005, Wyndemere served as the setting for Lucky and Elizabeth's wedding, attended by the residents of Port Charles. Shortly thereafter, the groom, Lucky Spencer, and several members of the wedding party sustained injuries in a train crash.
In 2006, Nikolas appointed Alfred as the new butler of Wyndemere during Mrs. Lansbury's extended leave of absence.
Black & White Ball[]
In 2007, Nikolas decided to host a ball to celebrate his second engagement to Emily Quartermaine and to honor the memory of her father, Alan Quartermaine. During the event, a storm trapped everyone on the island, and the madman Anthony Zacchara disrupted the festivities. He injured Ric Lansing, shot Leyla Mir, and murdered a servant, all from the shadows. Diego Alcazar later infiltrated the island and strangled the bride-to-be.
Abandoned?[]
In the summer of 2011, Nikolas and Spencer depart from Port Charles, bequeathing Spoon Island to Alexis. Alexis permits Ethan Lovett to investigate Wyndemere, where he encounters a woman in a white dress later identified as Helena Cassadine's previously unknown daughter, Irina. Concurrently, Irina acquires a psychiatrist named Ewen Keenan, who, upon departing Spoon Island, rescues Elizabeth Webber after she was drugged and thrown off a boat by Lisa Niles. Subsequently, Irina is assassinated at Wyndemere by Helena's henchmen.
Caleb Morley[]
In early 2013, Heather Webber, Lucy Coe, and Todd Manning escaped from Ferncliff Asylum and found temporary sanctuary at Wyndemere. During this period, Lucy is haunted by dreams of Caleb Morley taunting her. Subsequently, Caleb abducts Sam McCall and her son Danny Morgan to Wyndemere. While Rafe Kovich watches over Danny in the living room, Sam is discovered and saved by John McBain and Lucy in the catacombs beneath Wyndemere. Following a short confrontation, Caleb is believed to have been killed by John.
Nikolas' Return[]
Upon his return to Port Charles in 2013, Nikolas and Spencer once again took up residence at Wyndemere. Nikolas also consented to host the wedding of his mother, Laura Webber, to Scott Baldwin, amidst friends and family. Months later, Nikolas found Robin Scorpio-Drake being held captive and invited her, along with Britt Westbourne, to stay at Wyndemere. However, Nikolas was incensed when Jerry Jacks coerced him into providing refuge for Cesar Faison and Liesl Obrecht as well. Robert Scorpio and Anna Devane later resolved to confront Faison by trapping him in one of the Catacombs beneath Wyndemere. Unbeknownst to them, Faison managed to escape.
In 2014, Heather Webber kidnapped Carly Jacks and held her at the Quartermaine Boathouse, planning to murder her and implicate Franco for the crime. However, Luke Spencer uncovered her scheme, and she was confined in the Miscavige Institute. Heather then moved Carly to the Catacombs at Wyndemere. When Cameron Webber, Emma Scorpio-Drake, and Spencer Cassadine found Heather, she deceived them by claiming a Chupacabra was hiding in the stables. Franco eventually found them, but Heather shot him. She was ultimately thwarted by Anna Devane.
In 2015, Spencer hosted his birthday party at Wyndemere, where Cameron accidentally started a fire, trapping Spencer and Emma inside the castle. They were eventually rescued by Nikolas, but Spencer sustained a facial scar. Later that year, Laura Spencer returned to Port Charles and established permanent residence at the castle.
Valentin Takes Over[]
Within a few months, Nikolas' long-lost uncle, Valentin Cassadine, emerged and coerced Nikolas into relinquishing his entire family estate and wealth. Nikolas is later apparently murdered by Valentin. Subsequently, Laura sends Spencer to boarding school and tries to sell Wyndemere. Nevertheless, Valentin is acquitted and returns to Port Charles, declaring himself the rightful owner of the castle as Mikkos' concealed will bequeathed the entire Cassadine Estate to his eldest surviving son. With the deaths of Stavros and Stefan, Valentin was presumed to be the sole surviving son, thus nullifying any entitlement Nikolas and Spencer had to the inheritance and establishing him as the undisputed heir to the Cassadine Empire, with his daughter Charlotte as his successor.
In early 2018, Faison made his way back to Port Charles and abducted Liesl Obrecht, confining her in the stables at Wyndemere. Upon finding Lulu Spencer-Falconeri trying to save Obrecht, Faison ensnared her and filled the room with gas, intending to end their lives. Nevertheless, Lulu recalled the Catacombs beneath the stables, where she and Liesl took refuge until Dante Falconeri and Sonny Corinthos came to their rescue.
In July 2018, Liesl Obrecht kidnapped Peter August to avenge her son's death. Fearing discovery, she concealed Peter in Wyndemere's stables. Nina Reeves, upon involvement, decided to surrender Peter, but not before Liesl set the stables ablaze. Trapped inside, Nina and Peter were eventually saved by Valentin and Hamilton Finn, with Valentin confirming the stables' complete destruction afterward.
In July 2019, after Brad Cooper threw Liesl off of the Haunted Star, Nina, feared for her aunt's safety and temporary moved her into Wyndemere.
Nikolas is Alive[]
In January 2020, Valentin had planned to hold his wedding to Nina Reeves at Wyndemere. However, Nina had other plans as she intended to expose Valentin for his deceitful ways. She joined forces with Jasper Jacks, who disclosed that Nikolas was alive and on the hunt for a codicil to Mikkos's will that would grant him everything if Valentin attempted to claim the Cassadine estate. The codicil was cleverly concealed within a portrait of the matriarch, Helena Cassadine. Unaware of the significance, Valentin ended up selling the codicil to Ava Jerome. In a desperate move, he tried to coerce Ava into handing it over on their wedding day. When Ava refused, Valentin resorted to pushing her off the parapet at Wyndemere in an attempt to eliminate her. Fortunately, Nikolas emerged from the shadows and saved Ava from the water during the ceremony, revealing his true identity. It was then exposed that Valentin was not Mikkos' son, but rather Helena's, thereby stripping him of any rights to the Cassadine fortune. Following Nikolas's revelation and confirmation as the rightful heir, Valentin departed from Spoon Island, leaving Nikolas as the sole proprietor once again. Nikolas and Ava took advantage of the situation and tied the knot at Wyndemere.
As the new "Lady of the Manor," Ava had Franco paint her portrait for a distinguished spot in the castle. The unveiling at Wyndemere on August 14 revealed that Franco's painting of Ava was vandalized with references to his past as a serial killer. Elizabeth quickly accused Ava, whereas Lulu Spencer suspected Nikolas.
In December 2020, Julian Jerome plants a bomb at the Floating Rib on Cyrus Renault's orders. Fleeing to Wyndemere, he implores Ava to conceal him until he can escape the town. When Ava discovers Julian's involvement in the bombing and anticipates Sonny and Jason's retaliation, she resolves to end Julian's life herself. As she leads Julian to the parapet at Wyndemere and prepares to shoot, Sonny and Jason arrive, distracting her. This allows Julian to leap from the parapet, survive, and escape the town, with Sonny and Jason in pursuit.
In 2021, facing a stalker, Nikolas and Ava chose to temporarily reside in the Metro Court Hotel, while Ava took Avery to her stepmother Carly's Greystone Manor for safety, relying on enhanced security and surveillance. As the stalker's threats escalated, endangering Avery, Ava sought a divorce from Nikolas. Nina provided Ava refuge in her former penthouse, as Nikolas returned to Wyndemere. Spencer arrived post-graduation from Ecole Internationale De Chatel, initially staying at the Metro Court Hotel, then joining his father. Following a harrowing incident orchestrated by Nikolas at a Spoon Island party, Spencer, realizing Nikolas identified him as the stalker seeking retribution, retreated to the Collins House with his grandmother and Kevin. Amidst the turmoil, Spencer's secret girlfriend, Esme Prince, incinerated Ava's car to divert suspicion. Eventually, Spencer and Esme occupied the castle, but once their stalker ruse was exposed, they were expelled. Ava's return and reconciliation with Nikolas followed.
Downfall of a Prince[]
In 2022, following her breakup with Spencer, Esme continues her scheme to seduce his father, Nikolas. She tries to persuade him to let her stay with him, but he rents her a room above Kelly's instead. This arrangement is short-lived as Esme, claiming to be pregnant and fearing Sonny Corinthos' retaliation for secretly recording Cameron and Josslyn, convinces Nikolas to let her move into Wyndemere with Spencer. Ava, enraged by Esme's presence, calls off her vow renewal with Nikolas, who insists that Esme is at risk from Sonny. Ava confesses she directed Sonny to deal with Esme and demands Nikolas sleep separately until Esme leaves. Despite realizing Esme's manipulations, Nikolas succumbs to her advances, and they become sleep intimate. When Nikolas confesses to Ava, she confronts Esme at Wyndemere. In the ensuing struggle to retrieve a revealing letter, Esme falls over the parapet and is presumed dead.
In October, Esme's survival is revealed while a serial killer terrorizes the town with a hook. She attempts to steal money by breaking into the castle, only to be caught by Nikolas. To his surprise, he learns that she is pregnant with his child. Esme agrees to a paternity test and manipulates Nikolas into not reporting her to the police, providing her with the best lawyer money can buy, and allowing her to stay at the castle. Nikolas outsmarts her by confining her in a spacious storage room with a private bathroom in the North Tower of the castle. When Ava arrives, Nikolas claims that the North Tower is off-limits due to flooding. After catching Esme trying to pick the lock, Nikolas locks her in the en suite. He keeps her hidden as a hostage with the help of Elizabeth Baldwin, ensuring her prenatal needs are met until she gives birth. In December, Victor Cassadine moves into the castle to monitor Nikolas and arranges for Spencer's early release from Pentonville Penitentiary, under the condition that he is supervised at Wyndemere. Victor is pleased that they will spend the holidays together, but Spencer is less enthusiastic. Unbeknownst to both, Esme is also present as a captive while carrying Nikolas' child. On New Year's Eve 2022, Esme starts a fire in the storage room to flee from Nikolas, then deliberately plunges into the ocean from the parapet. She is found and taken into custody, now suffering from amnesia. Nikolas confesses to being the father of her baby. Subsequently, Nikolas and Ava reach a divorce agreement, with Ava receiving Spoon Island and its contents.
All hers (2023)
Ava returned to Spoon Island in February, only to find herself in a heated argument with Nikolas. In a moment of desperation, when he threatened to take her daughter away, Ava resorted to using a statue as a weapon, striking Nikolas on the head. He fell to the ground, seemingly lifeless. With the assistance of Austin Gatlin-Holt, they concealed his body in the closet of the stables. However, when the police conducted a search of the house, they discovered that Nikolas's body had mysteriously vanished.
On a tumultuous Valentine's Day, the deranged serial killer Ryan Chamberlain discloses that he is not incapacitated and is Esme's father. Along with Heather Webber, they manage to escape Spring Ridge Prison. The authorities are alerted and mobilize to track down the fugitives, while the trio makes their way to Wyndemere. Ryan is delighted to find his two obsessions, Ava and Felicia Scorpio, at the location. Heather manipulates Austin, Esme flees to the Island grounds, and Ryan pursues her. Upon catching up to her, Esme confesses that her water has broken and she is going into labor. Mac Scorpio goes in pursuit, ultimately ending Ryan's life on the grounds of Spoon Island. In the castle, Esme gives birth to a baby boy, Ace Prince-Cassadine, with the assistance of her uncle Kevin Collins and the baby's grandmother, Laura.
Ava eventually begins to feel at ease, although slightly isolated, and by April, she completes the renovations in the castle to enhance her and Avery's living environment. Subsequently, Ava confesses to Austin her aversion to residing in the castle, as it instills a sense of unease within her.
"The only reason I wanted Dracula's castle was to spite Nikolas."
She calls Lucy Coe, telling her she's putting Wyndemere and Spoon Island on the market.
On December 28, 2023, following the break-in at Wyndemere (perpetrated unknowingly by Esme who has now regained her memories), Sonny urges Ava to temporarily relocate to his penthouse at Harborview Towers, knowing that their daughter Avery will adore it. Ava consents, leaving Wyndemere deserted. On February 26, 2024, Ava informs Nina that escrow papers have been received, confirming the sale of Wyndemere to a new owner.Residents[]
Various family and friends of the Cassadines have taken residence at the castle over the years including, Alfred, Hayden Barnes, Katherine Bell, Gia Campbell, Charlotte Cassadine, Helena Cassadine, Irina Cassadine, Nikolas Cassadine, Spencer Cassadine, Stavros Cassadine, Stefan Cassadine, Valentin Cassadine, Victor Cassadine, Stephen Clay, Cesar Faison, Rocco Falconeri, Stella Fields, Sasha Gilmore, Jerry Jacks, Lucas Jones, Lydia Karenin, Ewen Keenan, Mrs. Lansbury, Colleen McHenry, Liesl Obrecht, Esme Prince, Brook Lynn Quartermaine, Emily Quartermaine, Ned Quartermaine, Tracy Quartermaine, Nina Reeves, Robin Scorpio, Rebecca Shaw, Aiden Spencer, Bobbie Spencer, Cameron Webber, Jake Webber, Lulu Spencer, Valerie Spencer, Laura Webber, Elizabeth Webber, and Britt Westbourne.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The Travel Guide to Port Charles: When to Go, Where to Live, Who to Love and Who to Never, Ever Cross in America's Most Dramatic City discloses that Spoon Island was acquired from the city of Port Charles in 1882 by Washington Wyndham. Ignoring numerous cautions against purchasing the island due to superstitions of bad luck, Wyndham erected his dream residence, the Wyndemere estate. The perpetual construction and absence of a unified architectural plan led to the creation of a sprawling, incoherent mansion. As Wyndham aged, he grew to believe that the mansion was plagued by the spirits of the island's past residents, intent on ousting him. He met his demise just before his 66th birthday, found lifeless in the foyer, gripping two candlesticks. The island lay deserted until Iona Huntington claimed ownership.
