Biltmore Estate

The Biltmore Estate is a large residential property in Asheville, North Carolina, covering roughly 8,000 acres (3,200 hectares) and featuring a mansion with 250 rooms. The building combines Renaissance Revival elements with French château styling and sits within forests, gardens, and working farmland.

George Vanderbilt opened the property on December 24, 1895, following six years of construction involving 1,000 workers and 60 stonemasons. The family used it as a private home for decades before sections became accessible to visitors.

The residence displays how wealthy American families lived at the turn of the 20th century, with rooms arranged as they were originally furnished. Visitors walk through spaces filled with European antiques and craftsmanship that reflect the tastes and social life of the era.

Visitors explore the mansion on self-guided tours, sample wines at the onsite winery, and take part in outdoor activities across the grounds. The property offers several gardens, walking trails, and viewpoints that can be discovered over several hours or a full day.

The residence contains an Otis elevator, 65 fireplaces, and direct current electrical systems installed with personal involvement from Thomas Edison. The original library holds more than 10,000 volumes, including rare editions collected by Vanderbilt himself.

Location: Asheville

Inception: 1895

Architects: Richard Morris Hunt, Frederick Law Olmsted

Official opening: December 24, 1895

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture, châteauesque

Website: https://biltmore.com

GPS coordinates: 35.54000,-82.55194

Latest update: December 2, 2025 21:07