The Biltmore Estate is located in Asheville, North Carolina.The Biltmore Company
- The Biltmore Estate, which is located in Asheville, North Carolina, is the site of the largest privately-owned house in the United States.
- According to the property's website, the Biltmore House was built in the late 1800s by George Vanderbilt and features 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces.
The Biltmore Estate is home to the largest privately-owned house in the United States.
George Vanderbilt, a prominent businessman from the late 19th and early 20th century, began constructing the Biltmore House in 1889.
Located in Asheville, North Carolina, the 250-room home took six years to build.
Asheville is a mountain city known for its scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area's most popular destinations include the Blue Ridge Parkway — a 469-mile road around the mountain's peaks — and, of course, the historic Biltmore Estate.
Vanderbilt opened the Biltmore House in 1895. Over the next 35 years, the estate played an important role in Vanderbilt's family life. In fact, his daughter, Cornelia, and two of his two grandchildren were born there.
George Vanderbilt died in 1914. After his death, his wife, Edith, sold around 87,000 acres of the estate to the United States Forest Service.
In 1930, Cornelia and her husband John Cecil opened the house to the public. According to the Biltmore website, it was opened during the Great Depression to boost the area's attraction.
Since then, there have been various additions to the estate, including the Biltmore Winery, the Inn on Biltmore Estate, and the Antler Hill Village, which features the Village Hotel.
The Biltmore Estate, which now spans a total of 8,000 acres, is covered with gardens designed by American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
The main house, America's largest, includes 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces.
Keep reading for a look inside.
The Biltmore Estate is located in Asheville, North Carolina.
The Biltmore Company
Asheville is a mountain city known for its scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. As of 2017, the city's estimated population was 91,902. Its median home value, according to Zillow, is $303,814.
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The Biltmore Estate is home to the Biltmore House, which is the largest privately-owned house in America.
The Biltmore Company
It was constructed in 1889 by George Vanderbilt, a prominent businessman from the late 19th and early 20th century.
The grand staircase. The Biltmore Company
With the help of around 1,000 people, the home was completed in six years.
The breakfast room. The Biltmore Company
It was officially opened by Vanderbilt in 1895.
George Vanderbilt's bedroom. The Biltmore Company
Over the next 35 years, the estate played an important role in Vanderbilt's family life. In 1900, his wife, Edith, gave birth to their daughter Cornelia in the Louis XV Room. Two of their grandchildren were also born on the estate.
The Biltmore Company
The main house includes 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces.
A sitting room. The Biltmore Company
Here's a close-up of the butler's pantry ...
The Biltmore Company
... and of the library. According to the Biltmore website, from 1875 to 1914, Vanderbilt read around 81 books a year.
The Biltmore Company
Vanderbilt died in 1914. After his death, Edith sold around 87,000 acres of the estate to the United States Forest Service.
The banquet hall. The Biltmore Company
The property has a history of collecting various pieces of artwork and artifacts. In fact, during World War II, artwork from Washington DC's National Gallery of Art was stored in the house.
A tapestry gallery. The Biltmore Company
There is even a smoking room with blue-patterned walls and two bookshelves.
The Biltmore Company
The home also boasts a variety of amenities. Below is an emptied swimming pool.
The Biltmore Company
There is also a bowling alley ...
The Biltmore Company
... and a garden.
The Biltmore Company
In 1930, Cornelia and her husband John Cecil opened the house to the public. Since then, there have been various additions to the estate, including the Biltmore Winery, the Inn on Biltmore Estate, and the Antler Hill Village which features the Village Hotel.
The Biltmore Company
Outside, the estate, which now totals 8,000 acres, includes acres of gardens designed by American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
The Biltmore Company
Source: Biltmore
This story was published originally in January 2020.