About Rothschild wealth and power in the past :
Baron James [Rothschild] built a lavish palace in Paris, where he entertained the likes of Benjamin Disraeli and Heinrich Heine. Heine recalled one visit: "I saw a gold-laced lackey bringing the baronial chamber pot along the corridor. Some speculator from the Bourse, who was passing, reverently lifted his hat to the impressive vessel." Baron James later built another palace 25 mi. east of Paris at Ferrieres. When William I of Prussia saw it, he said, "Kings could not afford this. It could only belong to a Rothschild."
source : David Wallechinsky & Irving Wallace (The People's Almanac)
and today :
From his headquarters in St James's Place in London, Jacob Rothschild has cultivated an influential set of clients, business associates and friends who have extended his interests far beyond the normal scope of a banker. He was a close personal friend of the late Diana, Princess of Wales and maintains strong personal and business links with Henry Kissinger.
His country estate has been a regular venue for visiting heads of state including Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. Margaret Thatcher received French President François Mitterrand there at a summit in 1990. He hosted the European Economic Round Table conference in 2002, attended by such figures as James Wolfensohn, former president of the World Bank, Nicky Oppenheimer, Warren Buffett and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In 2003 Rothschild came under scrutiny when Russian oil industrialist Mikhail Khodorkovsky's shares in YUKOS passed to him under a deal they concluded prior to Khodorkovsky's arrest.
source : Wikipedia
Some historical Rothschild mansions :
Waddesdon Manor - built between 1874 and 1889 for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild. Today Waddesdon is owned by the National Trust, but in recent years, following an extensive restoration, it has been, and continues to be administered by a Rothschild family trust that is overseen by Jacob Rothschild. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waddesdon_Manor .
Ascott House - In 1873 Ascott, together with 90 acres of land, was bought by Baron Mayer de Rothschild whose seat was at Mentmore, three miles away. The following year Leopold de Rothschild took over Ascott as a hunting box. During the following years the house was transformed and enlarged to form a family home. In 1949 the Ascott Collection, together with the House, its grounds of 261 acres and an endowment were given to the National Trust by Anthony de Rothschild. Nevertheless, the Rothschild family retain a very close control over Ascott, and the present resident of the house is the son of the donor, Sir Evelyn de Rothschild. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascott_House .
Halton House - Halton House is a country house situated in the Chiltern Hills above the village of Halton in Buckinghamshire, England. It was built for Alfred de Rothschild between 1880 and 1883. It is currently used as the main officers' mess for RAF Halton. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halton_House .
Mentmore Towers - The house was built between 1852 and 1854 for Baron Mayer de Rothschild, who needed a house close to London. Later other Rothschild family homes were built at Tring in Hertfordshire, Ascott, Aston Clinton, Waddesdon and Halton. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mentmore_TowersChâteau de Ferrières - Château de Ferrières is a French château built between 1855 and 1859 by Baron James de Rothschild. Rothschild ownership of the Château de Ferrières was passed down through the male line according to the rule of primogeniture. Considered the most important 19th century château in France, it is located on Rue Rucherie in Ferrières-en-Brie in the Seine et Marne département of France about 26 km east of Paris. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Ferri%C3%A8res