The Largest House In The United States is in Biltmore. Biltmore is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, with more than one million visitors annually. The Largest Privately Owned House In The United States in Biltmore Estate is America’s largest private estate and tourist attraction. Nestled in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina, The Biltmore Estate is America’s largest private estate and tourist attraction. Frequently referred to as “America’s Castle” and “Legacy of the land”.
The mansion was built by George Washington Vanderbilt II from 1889 to1895. The Vanderbilt family was worth over $200 million back in the 1800s due to ancestors gaining huge leverage in the railroad and shipping arena. His vast home was initially designed to entertain friends and family. He wanted to create a place where he could relax as well. The elaborate village created by Vanderbilt included cottages, shops, an Episcopal church, post office, hospital, and the Biltmore Office Building. The Estate is currently owned by “The Biltmore Company”, which is controlled by Vanderbilt’s grandson. The Biltmore has an annual revenue of about $50 million and an estimated market value of $125 million.
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Spoky FactGuests have reported that the ghost of George Vanderbilt’s widow roams the halls whispering to George. And the ghost of George himself has been seen sitting in the library. However, there is one ghost that is very popular, a weeping lady dressed in all black.
ApplauseIn 1901 the Vanderbilt’s started “Biltmore Industries” to help provide for the local employment. Biltmore Industries made furniture modelled after the furnishings of the estate. The Biltmore first opened to the public in 1930. The family continued to live there until 1956 when it became a permanent tourist attraction.
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Fun Fact: The Biltmore is three times the size of The White House, and with a yard more than nine times the size of Central Park.
The estate is furnished with hundreds of items from countries all over the world, dating between the 1400s and the late 1800s. Many of these items are furniture, carpets, prints, and linens. The landscape around the estate is vastly breathtaking. Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead the gardens have an “English landscape” garden style. There is a rustic three-mile road passing through the property.
Want to Visit?The Biltmore is open year round, with its busiest season being around the Christmas holidays. There isn’t just one tour, there are 10 different tours available. The tours are set up to help guests imagine themselves as a Vanderbilt family member back in the 1800s. Also on the property is an award winning winery that produces 75,000 cases of wine annually. The Biltmore Winery is the most visited winery in America!
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- 178,926 square feet
- Made with more than 11 million bricks
- 250 rooms
- 70,000 gallon indoor swimming pool
- Bowling Alley
- Early 20th Century exercise equipment
- Two-story library with 10,000 books
- Over 70,000 original furnishings purchased by Vanderbilt are still in the house.
- 65 Fireplaces
- 64 seat banquet table
- 3 kitchens
- 35 bedrooms
- 43 bathrooms
- 250 acres of landscaped gardens- 4,000 roses and azaleas
The estate itself covers over 8,000 acres and split in half by the French Broad River.