Biltmore Estate reopening after Helene closure

The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C., is reopening at the start of November after more than a month of recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene.

The Nov. 2 opening date will mark the start of the holiday season, and the national landmark will once again welcome guests to the historic 8,000-acre property that was once home to George W. Vanderbilt.

“For more than 125 years, Biltmore has been a witness to the resilience of this community. The compassion and resolve of our region have been rising every day from beneath the weight of this storm. Thanks to the incredible work of so many generous people, recovery is happening all around us,” the Biltmore announced Saturday.

“We are pleased to share that Biltmore plans to reopen and celebrate the joy of the holiday season together during #ChristmasatBiltmore, beginning November 2. Welcoming guests back to the estate provides critical support to our community, and we hope to welcome you very soon,” it added in a statement.

The Biltmore is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the area and was closed after Hurricane Helene swept through western North Carolina and left historic flooding in its wake.

The actual home suffered no structural damage from the storm, but the grounds and some of the buildings on the property suffered significant flooding, according to local reports. Teams have been working to repair the damage to prepare for the reopening next month.

Local reports indicate the Biltmore Estate employs about 2,400 people. A Biltmore spokesperson told the Citizen Times in Asheville there have been no storm-related fatalities among staff members, but some employees lost their homes in the storm.

The spokesperson said some employees also are out of work temporarily as management expects a decline in tourism in the coming months. All will return to work “in phases after reopening,” the spokesperson told the local news outlet.