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The New Antler Hill Village Expands Offerings at National Historic Landmark
PGAV Destinations, a global leader in the planning and design of unique destinations, is pleased to announce the opening of their Antler Hill Village project at the National Historic Landmark Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.
The $18.6 million project provides an enhanced experience of gracious hospitality at Biltmore, visited by nearly one million people annually from around the world.PGAV Destinations planned and designed Antler Hill Village as part of a comprehensive, multi-phase plan for the enhancement of the Biltmore Estate experience.
The Village was created to be a casual, pedestrian-friendly gathering place, linking the Estate’s prominent past with current appealing amenities. Guests will discover expanded offerings of a new exhibition space, dining, shopping, a new outdoor adventure center and a village green with live entertainment.
“PGAV’s assistance has been invaluable in both the planning and design of Antler Hill Village,” says Steve Miller, Vice Chair of Biltmore’s Executive Committee and Executive Vice President. “They truly understood the Estate’s unique legacy and helped us translate this into experiences for the contemporary guest.”
PGAV worked in close collaboration with curatorial staff at Biltmore, who conducted extensive research on several aspects of the Estate’s heritage, including letters written by both George and Edith Vanderbilt’s guests, the Estate workers, and their families during the early 1900s. This approach resulted in a guest experience where all of the details of Antler Hill Village tell a story about Biltmore’s 115-year history.
Located between Biltmore Winery and Antler Hill Farm, Antler Hill Village was planned to reflect the design principles of Biltmore’s original creators, Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture, and Richard Morris Hunt, a premier American architect. The Village’s Biltmore Legacy Exhibition highlights the extraordinary collaboration between these designers and George Vanderbilt, Biltmore’s original visionary and owner.
Mike Konzen, Principal of PGAV Destinations, asserts, “We are honored to assist the fourth generation of Biltmore ownership with this exciting project, while working in the aesthetic tradition of Olmsted and Hunt. In fact, every aspect of Antler Hill Village honors the past and reinterprets the Estate’s traditions for today’s visitor.”
PGAV Destinations also helped plan the Biltmore Winery experience. Guests are invited to walk underground through the former diary barn’s original tunnel to enjoy the newly redesigned winery and expanded tasting areas. The Winery, recognized as the most visited winery in the USA, produces approximately 140,000 cases of award-winning wines each year.
About Biltmore:
Located in Asheville, North Carolina, Biltmore was the vision of George W. Vanderbilt, who first opened Biltmore House to family and friends on Christmas Eve 1895. Designed by Richard Morris Hunt, America’s largest home is a 250-room French Renaissance chateau, exhibiting the Vanderbilt family’s original collection of furnishings, art and antiques. Biltmore estate encompasses more than 8,000 acres including renowned gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture. Today, Biltmore has grown to include the award-winning Biltmore Winery, four-star Inn on Biltmore Estate®, Equestrian Center, Outdoor Center, five restaurants, event and meeting venues and Biltmore™ For Your Home, the company’s licensed products division. To learn more about Biltmore, visit www.biltmore.com.
About PGAV Destinations:
PGAV Destinations is a global leader in the planning and design of unique destinations. Now in its fifth decade, the practice has evolved to become the ideal destination-consulting partner, skilled at developing growth-oriented master plans and translating those plans into successful projects. No other firm offers such an integrated approach to destination planning.
PGAV’s key clients include industry leaders such as Delaware North, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, the Biltmore Companies, Bass Pro Shops, Ameristar Casinos, Universal Studios, The Gettysburg Foundation, Niagara Parks Commission, The National Aviary, and many others. Recent assignments include planning and design at many of the world’s “must see” destinations, including the Grand Canyon, Biltmore Estate, Kennedy Space Center, Hearst Castle, the Georgia Aquarium, the Hoover Dam, and SeaWorld Adventure Parks. www.PGAVDestinations.com