The American Castle — Biltmore
An Appalachian Fortress in the Blue Ridge Mountains
The Biltmore Estate is now a tourist attraction and museum near Ashville, North Carolina. George Washington Vanderbilt II built the mansion in its chateau-style architecture in the late 1800s.
It is the largest privately-owned house in the United States. According to Buncombe County, NC tax records, the mansion spans nearly 180,000 square feet (floor space) and 135,000 square feet of living area .
Riches and Mass
No. You are right. Biltmore House is not a castle, nor a fortress. I was just trying to catch your eye there. It is much bigger than many castles. It is also bigger than most mansions.
The Vanderbilt family's wealth allowed George Vanderbilt to build this estate as his retreat away from the hectic days of business life. Upon seeing this beautiful area in Northwest North Carolina, he knew that he wanted a home here. Vanderbilt wanted a place where he could relax, de-stress, and take in the beauty to recharge and recuperate.
