The Gilded-Age Estate That Built Asheville's Tourism
More than a century after its construction, America's largest private home continues to shape the fortunes and identity of its mountain city.
No single building has shaped a Carolina city the way this Gilded-Age estate shaped Asheville.
A house that made a city
Constructed at the turn of the twentieth century as a private residence of staggering ambition, the estate drew artisans, gardeners and tourists to the mountains and never stopped. More than a century on, it remains a cornerstone of the region's tourism economy.
Its grounds, wineries and seasonal displays draw visitors year-round.
Living heritage
The estate has evolved into a self-sustaining enterprise, balancing preservation with the demands of mass tourism.
For Asheville, it is both an economic engine and an origin story — the grand house whose arrival transformed a mountain town into a destination, and whose presence still defines it today.
Related Stories
A Nor'easter Closes N.C. 12 at Pea Island and Disrupts Ferries
High tide breached the dunes near the Pea Island Visitor Center on September 24, closing the road between the Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe as crews braced for more of the same.
Mountain State Fair Draws 153,260 Over 10 Days
The fair in Fletcher wrapped up September 20 with new rides, a butterfly experience, calf births and a food drive that put more than 18,000 meals on the table.
Bridgeman Rallies With a 61 to Win Asheville's First PGA Tour Event Since 1942
Trailing by five shots on Sunday, Jacob Bridgeman shot a bogey-free 61 at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove to win the inaugural Biltmore Championship at 26 under.