Today, Biltmore House is known as America's Largest Home® and a National Historic Landmark. But before it became one of North Carolina's most popular tourist destinations, it was simply “home” to the Vanderbilt family. George Vanderbilt visited Asheville, NC, in 1888 and was captivated by the area's natural beauty.

What's so special about the Biltmore house?

Biltmore House was designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt and is America's Largest Home® spanning 175,000 square feet, which is more than four acres of floor space. The 250-room French Renaissance chateau includes 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces.

Do any Vanderbilts still live at Biltmore?

Though the family stopped living in the mansion in the 1950s, it is still owned and run as a tourist attraction by the fourth generation of Vanderbilt descendants.

How much is the Biltmore Estate Worth?

The Biltmore property is now worth approximately 157.2 million. The house is valued at around 37 million while the land around it has a higher value. An article from 1895 states that the construction of the Vanderbilt house cost over $ 6 million, including materials and labor.

Is the Biltmore a 5 star hotel?

Asheville, United States. The most luxurious hotel on this historic estate, featuring fine dining, spa, winery, shopping, a variety of outdoor activities, and events throughout the year.

The Vanderbilts | How America's Richest Family Went Broke

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Can you sleep in the Biltmore?

Book Your Escape with Confidence. Each of our splendid overnight properties invites you to relax into gracious hospitality. With enhanced health and safety protocols in place—and knowledgeable staff to greet you and answer any questions you may have—your Biltmore stay is sure to be an exceptional experience.

How old is Biltmore Village?

Biltmore Village History

This classically-planned community was constructed in the late 1890s at the entrance to the Biltmore Estate. Originally designed as a picturesque residential prelude to the Estate, the Village recreates the quaint atmosphere of an English community.

How did the Vanderbilts get rich?

Vanderbilt made his millions by controlling two burgeoning industries: the steamboat industry and the railroad industry. When he died, Vanderbilt's estate was estimated to be worth $100,000,000.

Who originally lived in the Biltmore?

Today, Biltmore House is known as America's Largest Home® and a National Historic Landmark. But before it became one of North Carolina's most popular tourist destinations, it was simply “home” to the Vanderbilt family. George Vanderbilt visited Asheville, NC, in 1888 and was captivated by the area's natural beauty.

How long was the Biltmore House lived in?

Biltmore House, the main residence, is a Châteauesque-style mansion built for George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895 and is the largest privately owned house in the United States, at 178,926 sq ft (16,622.8 m²) of floor space (135,280 square feet of living area).

Are the Vanderbilts still rich?

None of the descendants maintain the wealth in the end. Nobody from the Vanderbilt family made it into the wealthiest people in the United States. When 120 members of the Vanderbilt household gathered at Vanderbilt University for their first family reunion in 1973, none of them even had a million fortune left.

Are there still Vanderbilts alive today?

Branches of the family are found on the United States East Coast. Contemporary descendants include journalist Anderson Cooper, actor Timothy Olyphant, musician John P. Hammond and screenwriter James Vanderbilt.

What is the story behind the Biltmore?

In the late 1880s, George W. Vanderbilt, then a young man of 25, came upon the perfect spot in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains for a 250-room French Renaissance chateau to be built by his friend, architect Richard Morris Hunt. The great château would be called "Biltmore."

How many floors are in the Biltmore House?

The four-story stone house with a 780-foot façade was designed to rival the surrounding mountains in grandeur.

Are there secret passages in the Biltmore House?

With 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces, and nearly 180,000 square feet, the enormous Biltmore Estate has plenty of places to hide. ... The estate's massive library, apart from being a bibliophile's dream, also houses a secret passageway that leads to the guest bedrooms.

What were the Vanderbilts known for?

Shipping and railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794-1877) was a self-made multi-millionaire who became one of the wealthiest Americans of the 19th century. ... In the 1860s, he shifted his focus to the railroad industry, where he built another empire and helped make railroad transportation more efficient.

What is inside the Biltmore estate?

Behold magnificent 16th century tapestries, a Library with 10,000 volumes, a Banquet Hall with a 70-foot ceiling, 65 fireplaces, an indoor pool, and a bowling alley. Almost all of the priceless objects you see throughout the house are from George and Edith Vanderbilt's original collection.

What happened at the Biltmore pool?

Biltmore House had underwater lights in its indoor swimming pool at a time when many homes were still lit with candles, oil and gas lamps. ... Lights powered by low-voltage direct current lit the pool from under the water. Located along the sides, the lights were sealed inside glass globes protected by metal cages.

Who is the richest family in America?

It comes as no surprise that the wealthiest family in the United States is the Waltons – with a net worth of $247 billion. That's $147 billion more than the second wealthiest family – Koch Family. The Koch family is America's second-richest family. Their fortune is rooted in an oil firm founded by Fred Chase Koch.

Why were the Vanderbilt mansions torn down?

But this Fifth Avenue American palace, known as the Cornelius Vanderbilt II House, would survive for less than 50 years. ... The mansion was torn down to make way for the church of high fashion—Bergdorf Goodman—and many of the treasures the house held were scattered across the city for ordinary New Yorkers to enjoy.

How many kitchens are in the Biltmore Estate?

It's hard to believe that the Biltmore House was a bachelor pad, complete with a billiards room and a bowling alley. In total, there are 250 rooms in the house. That includes 35 guest and family rooms, 43 bathrooms, and three kitchens.

Does Anderson Cooper own the Biltmore?

The owner of Biltmore Estate, William Vanderbilt Cecil, is a cousin "removed a time or two," Sims said. Bottom line: "Anderson Cooper does not have any ownership in, or get any special privileges at, Biltmore Estate," Sims said, "although we would love to have him visit."

Is Biltmore worth the money?

While the price of admission is steep, it's worth it. The mansion is beautiful, as are the grounds. You can spend a whole day. I would recommend the audio tour, which gives you the back story on the Vanderbilts.

Is Biltmore still decorated for Christmas?

With more than 100 decorated trees, 10,000 ornaments, 100,000 twinkling holiday lights, and an array of festive Christmas displays, you'll want to linger longer to experience all that Christmas at Biltmore has to offer.