Living Like a King Without the Coffers

John Miller must build his dream castle on a tight budget.

“In order to afford to do this kind of thing, I’ve led a rather frugal life,” he said.

Take the castle’s keep, its defensive center--a 22-foot-diameter cylinder that rises four stories, built of 55-pound concrete blocks.

“I got 4,700 of these for $250,” Miller said. He found them at a building company that was going out of business.

Having to watch the cost bothers Miller.

“Designing a castle is simple. Designing a castle that a guy who has very little money can build is a hell of a job,” he said. “This is not the very best that I can design. It’s the best that I can build.”