Asheville's Biltmore Estate will soon reopen

CNN
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The historic Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, plans to welcome guests again beginning November 2 after being closed for more than a month due to Hurricane Helene.

The property's popular Christmas at Biltmore experience will debut the property's reopening season and runs through January 5.

The magnificent house, completed in 1895, was not damaged by the storm. However, “significant flooding and damage to structures occurred” in low-lying portions of the property, including the entrance and farm, Biltmore said in an early update on storm damage. “Unfortunately we lost some of our animals during the storm, but the vast majority are safe and accounted for.”

In the wooded areas, which “make up a large portion of the property, there is significant wind damage to properties and some buildings,” Biltmore said.

The property's main entrance in Biltmore Village was damaged, along with dozens of businesses located in the historic mixed-use development off-site. According to the property's website, “extensive repairs are underway” at the entrance. Part of that work includes removing weakened cottonwood trees that line the entrance.

Guests scheduled to visit between September 27th and November 1st had the option to rebook to a later date or receive a refund.

The property and its owners have launched a $2 million Biltmore Relief Fund for Western North Carolina (WNC).

“Western North Carolina has been our family’s home for more than 125 years and we are shocked by Helene’s impact on our region,” Biltmore President and CEO Bill Cecil, Jr. said in a statement.

“We remain committed to supporting our employees and neighbors in the wake of this unprecedented storm and long-term recovery efforts. Now more than ever, we must work together to stabilize and rebuild this community.”

Cecil is a descendant of the estate's founder, George Vanderbilt, who was a grandson of the famous shipping entrepreneur and industrialist Cornelius Vanderbilt.

George Vanderbilt first visited Asheville in 1888 and decided to build his large country home there, which is America's largest private home. The French Renaissance-style castle has 250 rooms, 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and 65 fireplaces. The house was first opened to the public in 1930.

CNN's Holly Yan contributed to this report.