After going through biltmore estate the most distinguished private place it apthe largest privately owned house in the us at the biltmore estate in asheville north carolina is a symbol of absolute waste. The most distinguished private place that is how in 1893 the great landscape architect frederick law olmsted described biltmore estate perhaps the most ambitious private building project of americas gilded age. Biltmore estate the most distinguished private place author john morrill bryan contributor octagon washington dc edition illustrated reprint publisher rizzoli international. Overview the most distinguished private place that is how in 1893 the great landscape architect frederick law olmsted described biltmore estate perhaps the most ambitious private building project of americas gilded age it was only five years earlier that george washington vanderbilt purchased the first parcel of what would become his . The most distinguished private place that is how in 1893 the great landscape architect frederick law olmsted described biltmore estate perhaps the most ambitious private building project of americas gilded age it was only five years earlier that george washington vanderbilt purchased the first parcel of what would become his 125 000