Dark Knight Trilogy

35. Mentmore Towers

Chicago, IL

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Named for it's surrounding village in Buckinghamshire, England, Mentmore Towers, previously known simply as Mentmore, or to the villagers as "the Mansion," was chosen to represent the all but humble abode entitled Wayne Manor in Batman Begins. Mentmore was built in the late 1800s modeling the popular revival of late sixteenth century Jacobethan style architecture. Based on it's architectural and historical interest, Mentmore Towers is now classified as a Grade 1 listing, the same category as Buckingham Palace. This classification declares the building cannot be altered, demolished, or extended without special permission. Originally functioning as a display for the Baron Mayer de Rothschild's appraised collection of fine art, as well as his country home close to London, Mentmore Towers was a definite assertion of the Baron's status. Passed through generations and eventually auctioned off, the mansion was then used as headquarters of the University of Natural Law, the center for the transcendental meditation movement. Purchased by it's present owner in 1997 with the plans to turn Mentmore into a six star hotel and spa, the building has not undergone any renovations so far but is currently closed to the public.

Exploring the inside and outside of the overwhelming property, the film divulges the inner decorative style inspired by the Italian Renaissance. It's history and style closely matches that of Wayne Manor. According to trusted butler Alfred Pennyworth in Batman Begins, Wayne Manor was built outside of Gotham City in or before the 19th century and passed down through six generations before Bruce Wayne. Here, Bruce was born, met Rachel Dawes, whose mother worked as a housekeeper in the Manor, and created his favored childhood memories with his parents. The most prominent of which being when his father rescued him from an abandoned well he had fallen into as a child, exposing his fear of bats.

When returning from Princeton to witness the trial of Joe Chill, his parents' murderer, Bruce denied his ownership of the manor and claims "it's nothing without the people that made it what it was." After Bruce established himself in Gotham, Wayne Manor was in full flow again, showing off it's many rooms and three story towers. Harboring confusion and indignation for the place he called home, Bruce created a new life for himself within the walls he had previously compared to a mausoleum. Unfortunately his reconnection with the building was short lived with it's destruction by League of Shadow's Ra's al Ghul. Bruce ultimately assured Rachel that he will rebuild the house "brick for brick," displaying the release from his previous vengeful nature incurred by his parents' deaths.