Amy Vanderbilt died at age 66 on Dec. In total, there are 250 rooms in the house. Although The Biltmore Companys annual revenue isnt made available to the public as it operates as a private company, Cecil Picking admitted in 2017 that the estate generated $207 million the year prior. Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltzs wedding extravaganza took place over three days, involved 500 guests and reportedly cost an eyewatering $4 million (about R58m). Copyright 2023 Market Realist. With enhanced health and safety protocols in placeand knowledgeable staff to greet you and answer any questions you may haveyour Biltmore stay is sure to be an exceptional experience. Long-term planning is the key, Hartley said, noting that an estate worth hundreds of millions of dollars, like the Biltmore Estate, could be seriously hurt if staff had done no planning and it was suddenly hit with a 40 percent tax. In 1995, the elder Cecil retired and Cecil Jr. took over day-to-day operations. In 2010, they opened a new complex of shops and an English pub-style restaurant next to the winery. In 2001, they opened the 210-room luxury Inn on Biltmore Estate. Anderson Cooper is the great-great-great grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, a poor farmer from Staten Island who became the richest self-made man in America with a pathological obsession for money. She had plenty of money to live life as she pleased and she did. Our Top Tips, Road to Nowhere NC: History of the Unfinished Road in Bryson City, Will Ghost Town in the Sky Reopen? Which of our splendid overnight options meets your specific needs? In fact, the construction necessitated the building of a woodworking factory and a brick kiln. A casual hotel is built in Antler Hill Village to serve more overnight guests who wish to experience Vanderbilt-inspired hospitality. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Erin grew up with a passion for fashion and beauty. With 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces, and nearly 180,000 square feet, the enormous Biltmore Estate has plenty of places to hide. Along with more than 2,000 employees, they continue Biltmores mission to preserve this national treasure. How many movies were filmed at the Biltmore Estate? I hope to win a trip or get to come again and get to speak with the historians about the stories my family has passed down about the time my great great grandfather spent with this incredible family many many years ago in the actual construction of this historical landmark . what tragedies happened at the biltmore estate The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting occurred on December 14, 2012, in Newtown, Connecticut, United States, when 20-year-old Adam Lanza shot and killed 26 people, including 20 children between six and seven years old, and six adult staff members. Companies often create corporations or limited liability corporations to not only run the operations more efficiently but also to diffuse ownership interests and potential taxes. Asheville Hotel Deals & Reviews KAYAK. After shaping the Biltmore Company for decades, William Cecil retired in 1995. An honest review. 40 Gallery Wall Ideas | Birkley Lane Interiors. Bill remains the CEO of Biltmores companies, and I remain Chair of the Board of Directors. Also for numerologys sake, she changed her name to Nilcha.Jun 26, 2017. Antler Hill Village expands Biltmores legacy of entertainment and hospitality for a new generation, with an exhibition space and new opportunities for shopping, dining, and outdoor activities. August 31, 2022 by Erin Krespan. A look at the Biltmore Estates property and property taxes. Leaving his banking career in New York, William joins his brother George in managing the estate, focusing on self-sufficiency and preserving the estates historic splendor. There is an elevator. All of that has been completely within all the rules.. The inaugural wine vintage is bottled in the Conservatory basement; less than pleased with this first bottling, William Cecil travels to France and brings back sixth-generation winemaster Philippe Jourdain to be Biltmores first winemaker. My dad came up with that, and really to preserve Biltmore Estate is probably the key.. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. By the 1930s, the shipping industry was losing ground to other modes of transportation like cars, barges, and buses. Now estates of $5.5 million or more are potentially exposed to the tax, but the recently passed tax bill doubles that amount. The entire Biltmore estate has annual revenue of roughly $50 million, but the majority of that goes back into maintaining the estate and properties. After moving to Boston in 1979, I often returned to the home for vacations and day trips during the fall foliage. New York Citys Fifth Avenue for almost 200 years has been considered the center of wealth and glamour in New York City. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 2023 The Biltmore Company. With 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces, and nearly 180,000 square feet, the enormous Biltmore Estate has plenty of places to hide. Village Hotel On Biltmore Estate LLC This company owns the 209-room hotel by the same name, as well as Antler Hill Village, which contains shops and a restaurant and opened in 2010. By the time Cornelius Commodore Vanderbilts grandchildren began inheriting the familys money, the Vanderbilts economic dominance was declining. He hires Richard Morris Hunt to design and build the home and Frederick Law Olmsted to design the gardens and grounds. Biltmore House, the main residence, is a Chteauesque-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). Plus, our tickets are only $42.99 thats up to 37% off normal gate prices. The dairy barns were turned into the Biltmore winery in 1985. Were hoping this will give us the ability to seat blocks of 200 up to 600 people., The estates group sales department keeps track of all the things we have to turn down because we dont have a facility for it, or we dont have the capability to do a good job with it, Cecil said. In 2017, the Biltmore state was appraised at nearly $300 million. Its impractical to follow all the tendrils of the Commodores descendants. Philippe Jourdain retires, and French native Bernard Delille, who joined Biltmore as assistant winemaker 1986, succeeds him. But its absolutely worth visiting! 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. Movies. How did that vision evolve through the years? Biltmore celebrates Frederick Law Olmsteds living legacy and enduring influence. Shortly after, he hired architect Richard Morris Hunt to help him construct what would become a landmark in U.S. history. Just recently we travel to Biltmore with six graduate students from this years class. In 1924, she married British Aristocrat John Cecil. The North Carolina descendants have done well for themselves thanks in large part to the Biltmore. Suddenly, without the dairy to pay the bills, William Cecil was on his own. The mansion is beautiful, as are the grounds. George Vanderbilts 250-room French Renaissance chteau is a true marvel, the largest undertaking in residential architecture in the nation. Search our Sitemap. #1 MASSACHUSETTS. Squarespace allows photographers to quickly build an online portfolio and begin showcasing their work. How do I create a wedding website on Squarespace? Its most notable feature is a French Remembering avant-garde artist Mary Bauermeister, Belgian court paves way for Iran prisoner swap treaty, Palestinians in occupied West Bank live with uncertainty, Thousands of migrants have died in South Texas, Court rules Bavaria can own Neuschwanstein Castle brand, Tourists' stays in hotels are no longer allowed, entries and exits into and out of Germany are only allowed in exceptional cases. The Walton, Mars and Koch families have topped the list of wealthiest clans in the world, according to a September report from Bloomberg. Also for numerologys sake, she changed her name to Nilcha.. My great great grandfather was employed during the actual construction of the Biltmore Estate, he was a woodcarver and carpenter by trade. Re-Use a Frame to Display Multiple Photos. Are there secret passages in the Biltmore House? His son, Bill Cecil Jr., took over as president and CEO and his daughter, DianaPickering, also worked for the company. The Biltmore Co. dates to 1933, but brothers William Cecil Sr. and George Cecil split the company in 1978-79, with William securing ownership of the estate and George forming a separate development company, Biltmore Farms. Soon it will be handed over to the next generation:Bill Cecil Jr. has two children who work at the company and his sister, Diana, has one. Can you stay in the actual Biltmore House? You can read more about our, E-bikes are an environmental dream except out in nature, Trump fatigue seeps into right-wing forum that fed MAGA fervor, Sports on TV & radio: Local listings for Seattle games and events, Doctor: Lesion removed from Biden's chest was cancerous, DeSantis cannonballs into America's deep blue states for war on 'woke'. What can you do with an empty picture frame? Hunt was known for being instrumental in establishing standards for professional architecture and building in the United States. During the time Vanderbilt occupied his country home, it served as a private residence and was only accessible to friends and family. They estimated that the entire Biltmore Estate, including the hotels, restaurants, conservatory, outbuildings and private residencies, is worth nearly $300 million, which would be closer to $344 million in todays value after adjusting for inflation. Were in the process now, so well see how well (it works). But before it became one of North Carolinas most popular tourist destinations, it was simply home to the Vanderbilt family. Bill Cecil Jr., Asheville native and CEO of the Biltmore Co., is Gloria Vanderbilts third cousin (they share great-grandfather William Henry Vanderbilt I). Design a Professional-Looking Photo Book. Thiswas followed by another hotel and specialty tours of the house. Pisgah National Forest, which includes the Cradle of Forestry, is one of the first national forests east of the Mississippi River. Photo tiles are custom-printed stick-on picture tiles that make creating your own personalized gallery wall effortless. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 FAQS Clear - All Rights Reserved His third great-grandfather, David Olyphant, and great-great-grandfather, Robert Morrison Olyphant, were both prominent businessmen. Erin Krespan is the founder and author of the popular lifestyle blog "Erin Krespan". Also, through careful and shrewd planning, it will not face an enormous inheritance tax bill. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Other trusts are designed to protect assets in the future from possible litigation stemming from car accidents or divorces, for example. None of the descendants maintain the wealth in the end. You might think that the descendants of Cornelius Vanderbilt running around spending such exorbitant amounts of money on such things as summer homes would have run through the Commodores wealth. The Biltmore family saw this at The Worlds Fair and had one installed in their Estate. The Biltmore Estate is one of the top attractions in North Carolina, and certainly the top thing to see in Asheville. What was George Washington Vanderbilts original vision for Biltmore? Its hard to determine how much actual Vanderbilt wealth remains. Does beard oil expire? The history of Americas largest home. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Your email address will not be published. How much does a wedding cost at the Biltmore Miami? These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. It is also a one-of-a-kind business, unlike any other on Earth. Nobody from the Vanderbilt family made it into the wealthiest people in the United States. Watson said Biltmore has done that to ensure efficient operations within the company, and to be able to track profitability within those separate domains. He will always be remembered for his leadership, 2022-07-02. Subscribeto ournewsletterand we will instantly deliver the best area discounts to your inbox. The Biltmore property is now worth approximately 157.2 million. Daytime admission starts at $86 USD per adult when purchased online. But according to the CPI inflation calendar, $6 million in 1865 is the equivalent to about $102.6 million today. Any additions will surely be in keeping with the vision of George Vanderbilt when he started building 130 years ago, but meet the needs of 21st century visitors. But none are quite like the Biltmore. If weve done our job well, hopefully the public wont notice any difference.. The Biltmore Co., for instance, owns the house, which has an assessed market value of $157.2 million, according to Buncombe County commercial tax appraiser Bob May. The beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains captivates George Vanderbilt and he considers the area as a location for his new country home. Total market value for 2017 was $29.4 million, but Over a six-year period, an entire community of craftsmen comes together to create Americas premier home and the remarkable gardens and grounds that surround it. West Range LLC This limited liability corporation owns 3,067 acres on the west side of the estate. Watson said its important to remember that the company is a privately held businesses that gets no special tax breaks, and it is not in a special trust that is shielded from estate taxes. What famous people stayed at the Biltmore Estate? The Village Green, where the Lipe party had been headed the morning of July 16, 1916, was sited where the Biltmore Avenue McDonalds restaurant is now located. The owner of Biltmore Estate, William Vanderbilt Cecil, is a cousin removed a time or two, Sims said. In April this year, 6th generation Vanderbilt Anderson Cooper told Howard Sterns radio show: My moms made clear to me that theres no trust fund.. At the end of last year, sales were $207 million.. Here are some details: Stop by your local Costco and pick up tickets to the gorgeous Biltmore Estate. Along with more than 2,400 employees, they continue Biltmores mission to preserve this national treasure. George Vanderbilts great grandson, Bill Cecil Jr, is current CEO of Biltmore Company.The value of the part of the estate that is open to the public with 2,194 acres, the House, hotels, restaurants, and other buildings exceed $300 million. Total Buncombe County property taxes paid for 2017: $1,169,062. Capture the Event on Film. Is Anderson Cooper related to the Biltmore Vanderbilts? Question: What To Do At The Biltmore Estate, How Many Rooms Are In The Biltmore Estate, When Is The Best Time To Visit Biltmore Estate, Quick Answer: Where Is The Vanderbilt Estate. Admission ticket prices start at $66 per adult and may increase depending on the season. Where was David Beckham son , Many photographers provide a sneak peek of a small set of wedding photos within a week, said Inge. No huge plans are in the works, although Cecil says one idea that is moving ahead is an expansion of the estates Deerpark Restaurant. Mimi Cecil was 85. Seeing Biltmore House is a surreal experience. In 1956 she married director Sidney Lumet; the pair divorced in 1963. She apparently left Biltmore to study art in New York City while living in Greenwich Village. It was a risky move and went against all advice that it was not possible to make fine wine in North Carolina. The couple had two sons, George and William. Its also a common business strategy to put restrictions on the ability to transfer a business to other parties, which decreases its tax value. But the gilded mansion is only a part of its many attractions. How Do You Know When Salmon Berries Are Ripe? 2022-07-02. The Inn On Biltmore Estate from $221. Is Highclere Castle larger than Biltmore? Over the years the house has served as a backdrop for many films like "The Swan" with Grace Kelly, "Richie Rich" with Macaulay Culkin, and "Being There" starring Peter Sellers and Shirley MacLaine. Today, the company is still run by descendants of George Vanderbilt; the president and CEO is currently Bill Cecil Jr. Edith is a descendant of Peter Stuyvesant, the first governor of Dutch colonial New York. He loved the scenery and climate so much that he decided to build a summer house in the area, which he called his "little mountain escape". The finished home contains more than four acres of floor space, including 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces. 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. Located at 30 Beekman Place on the cusp of Midtown East and the Upper East Side between 50th and 51st streets in Manhattan, the two-bedroom abode marked the end to a period of change for Vanderbilt, according to Cooper, who told the NYT that when he was growing up, his family moved every four years. George and Edith only child is born on the evening of August 22 in the Louis XV Room. Total tax paid for 2017 was $22,670. She died in 2019 with a relatively small fortune of which she left $1.5 million to her son, CNNs Anderson Cooper. Now it is the largest private residence in America. The winery, which operated in the old dairy building, offered free wine tastings to all (appropriately aged) visitors and was a huge success. Around this timethey added horseback riding, fishing, Segway tours, bikingand the Land Rover Driving School. However, it seems that some are doing significantly better than others. WebBill Cecil, Mr. Cecils son and President & CEO of The Biltmore Company states, My fathers legacy is immeasurable for our family. William got the unprofitable house with 8,000 acres: The Biltmore Company. Which of our splendid overnight options meets your specific needs? Those sales are vital to the companys core mission: preserving in pristine condition the estate, which Vanderbilt opened in 1895. First opened to the public in 1930, the property has 75 acres (30hectares) of formal gardens created by America's premier gardener Frederick Law Olmsted, 100 buildings, 80 structures garages, a dozen barns, greenhouses, stables, cottages, sheds, offices and 40 bridges. In 2016, combined revenue from all the Biltmore companies was reported at $207 million. Construction of Biltmore House begins. Pick a Different Picture for Every Month of the Year. The Cecils are wed at All Souls Church in Biltmore Village, with Edith Vanderbilt escorting her daughter. Jacob Astor, for example, famously died on board the Titanic, his status as one of the worlds richest men unable to keep him afloat. He Biltmore offers much more, and has therefore been accused of being too commercial. The estate has been very conservative. Shortly after, he begins purchasing land for what will become Biltmore. I have been to Biltmore 5 times since my years at Brevard College, 1977-79. He sold the estate's crops and plants from the greenhouses. Truly a beautiful home and grounds. Other companies were set up for the ownership of Antler Hill Village, the Winery, a mostly agricultural piece of acreage and the hotels (see box). To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. The Asheville GreenWorks Hall of Fame Award is presented to Biltmore for its sustainability initiatives, including a new solar array and a tree protection project. Make an Appointment or Nominate a Day. Nobody from the Vanderbilt family made it into the wealthiest people in the United States. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". For the surrounding community, Biltmore is extremely important as it is a huge driver of tourism and "those visitors also usually visit other attractions, eat at restaurants and visit art galleries and brewpubs, so the estate is a real economic engine for the area," Boyle told DW. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Webhilton honors missing stay request form; Services. Fashion icon, actress, and heiress Gloria Vanderbilt has died at the age of 95, her son Anderson Cooper confirmed. Did Anderson Cooper inherit his mothers estate? 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.Aug 17, 2005. The 2017 tax bill was $290,784. Specifically, 50 farms and at least five cemeteries, amounting to roughly 125,000 acres. It included several homes dotted along what once was the land of their former owner, a church, and a cemetery. Our site produces editorial content for the purpose of entertainment. We dont expect any immediate adverse impact because of the passing of Bill and Mimi, because a great deal of planning has occurred in past years., Estates valued at more than $5.5 million can face an estate tax, sometimes called the death tax by critics, of 40 percent, money that is due in a matter of months in some cases. Last year it produced around 1.8 million bottles. All Rights Reserved. Experience gracious hospitality, exceptional dining, and a variety of unique-to-Biltmore special events and activities, all while enveloped in the beauty of George Vanderbilts magnificent estate. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Two new luxury hotels have been built on the estate, and the property tax value today is $157-million. The 2017 value was $9.6 million, and taxes paid were $104,857. Market Realist is a registered trademark. One newspaper report noted: She dyed her hair a bright pink, explaining that that was her proper color aura according to the findings of numerology. The 250-room French Renaissance chateau was built in the 1890s. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The owner of Biltmore Estate, William Vanderbilt Cecil, is a cousin removed a time or two, Sims said. Also for numerologys sake, she changed her name to Nilcha.Jun 26, 2017. It seems Billy the Blockhead may not have had morals or scruples. Vanderbilts 250-room French Renaissance chateau is a true marvel, the largest undertaking in residential architecture. Seeing Biltmore House is a surreal experience. We remain self-sustaining through innovation, creative thinking, and listening to guests who continue to tell us they want more ways to connect with Biltmore. While it was rumored that her fortune was an estimated $200 million, the real sum was less than $1.5 million. That same year William and his brother decided to finally divide up the business. The property now draws 1.7 million visitors a year. George Vanderbilt had a mission ofpreservationthrough self-sufficiency. 2023 The Biltmore Company. George took the dairy, about 4,000 acres and the entire business infrastructure: Biltmore How long was the Biltmore House lived in? More obviously, the frame is usually intended to enhance a picture visually and, occasionally, iconographically. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Facility Fee $15,000 Food and Beverage Minimum $30,000 Wedding package average of $200 per person Ideal for 200-350 guests Events may begin at 6:00 p.m. Sustainable agriculture and agriculture businesses are only about 15 percent of our total now, because the oasis part has gone up so much., The key to any future development on the estate is authenticity, and that involves, as Watson says, asking, What would Mr. Vanderbilt have done?, So you cant put a roller coaster in front of the Biltmore House, Watson said with a smile. The estate is a major employer in Western North Carolina, with up to 2,400 workers during the Christmas season, and it brings in 1.4 million visitors annually. I was honored with a visit 2 times to the hotel and estate once with the granddaughter of this great woodcarver, my mother when she was about 80 years old and after her passing in 2016, I travelled with my husband to let him experience such a beautiful and incredible destination. He also tells a story about when Steve Watson interviewed for his job as CFO 18 years ago. But the gilded mansion is only a part of its many attractions. Her spirit is very much alive today at Biltmore, where her grandson and great-grandchildren continue to operate the estate with an eye towards self-sufficiency, hospitality, and a commitment to the 1700 employees who work each day to preserve it. The estate is still family owned. The Inn on Biltmore Estate The 210-room luxury hotel, opened in 2001, has a tax value of $46.6 million. While we do our best to bring you the most up-to-date information, TheSmokies.com LLC makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of any content contained within. It is the biggest house ever built in America and dwarfs the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains that surround it. Years ago, the Internal Revenue Service had the ability to audit estates of $600,000 or more, but Congress has been steadily increasing the limits of the estate tax. In his new book, Vanderbilt, out on September 21, Cooper details the story of his mothers side of his family. Contemporary descendants include journalist Anderson Cooper, actor Timothy Olyphant, musician John P. Hammond and screenwriter James Vanderbilt. But the gilded mansion is only a part of its many attractions. Busbee Lodge A Cecil family-owned home and 659 acres on the estate. Accommodations on Biltmore Estate offer room-only rates that do not include admission tickets or breakfast, and a variety of packages that include breakfast, admission tickets, and other package specific amenities. George and Ediths only child is born on the evening of August 22 in the Louis XV Room in Biltmore House. But the estate is always looking down the road. Still, other branches of the family tree have fared better. The Horse Barn is a thriving social and work center for the families who farmed Biltmore, and the agricultural heart of the estate. Baby Boomers make up 60 percent of current guests, and Gen X visitation is strong, too. It took about $6 million in 1895 dollars to construct North Carolinas answer to Versailles. Almost all of the priceless objects you see throughout the house are from George and Edith Vanderbilts original collection. Thats the goal and thats what it appears like right now, with a couple of small things we didnt anticipate, but not much, Cecil said, referring to smaller personal possessions of his parents and their distribution to family members. They want to carry on his fathers mission, and Vanderbilts before him, to keep the beautiful oasis running, and in the familys hands. The U.S. is home to the three richest families in the world. The estate gets an agricultural deferment on about half of that value because much of the estate is farmed, but the Biltmore Co. still paid $453,795 in property taxes on the house in 2017. Namely, he hired a corrupt spiritualist to fool the elderly Commodore. Today, Biltmore remains a family business, with the fourth and fifth generations of George Vanderbilts descendants involved in day-to-day operations. Hartley said its common for people to create and utilize trusts and gifting strategies to reduce tax burdens. The estate is still family owned. Empty frames are powerful graphic punctuation marks that interrupt the narrative so that readers come to realize that they need to fill in the dots and get the job of storytelling done. ASHEVILLE George Henry Vanderbilt Cecil, a member of the famed Vanderbilt family who headed the Biltmore Farms development company for decades, died at home Oct. 19. Now Biltmore employs over 2,500 people; during the busy Christmas season even more are on the payroll. After earning a degree in marketing, she worked for several years in the fashion industry, gaining valuable experience and insights into the world of style and trends. The house remains firmly a family business. In 1980, Biltmore had to dismiss rumors that The Walt Disney Co. was trying to buy the estate. The elder Cecil wasnt afraid to make some changes, expanding Vanderbilts agricultural vision. Cecil Jr. assumes leadership of the renovation. WebWho lives on the Biltmore Estate today? George Vanderbilts initial plans in 1900 to create an inn never materialized in his lifetime. Most of the Biltmore estate is currently open to the public, allowing you to purchase admission tickets or even reserve a venue to host your wedding. He would make or break the entire estate. Taxes could skyrocket over $100 million in such a dire scenario. Fun fact: George Vanderbilt was Gloria Vanderbilts great uncle, making Anderson Cooper his great, great nephew. He had the foresight to do what everyone thought was impossible. They had two sons: Carter Vanderbilt Cooper (January 27, 1965 July 22, 1988), who died by suicide at age 23 by jumping to his death from the familys 14th-floor apartment, and Anderson Hays Cooper (born June 3, 1967), a CNN news anchor. The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. Total market value on the house $157.2 million. That may seem a bit extravagant, but Cecil says thats really their goal. Vanderbilt reportedly passed away after undergoing an emergency appendectomy. Biltmore House, the main residence, is a Chteauesque-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).