The 11-acre Colonial Revival residence was built by George Mason’s great-great-grandson and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (July 13, 2026) — A landmark estate in Biltmore Forest tied to one of America’s Founding Fathers has entered the market for $9.75 million, bringing one of Western North Carolina’s most historically significant residences. Located at 324 Vanderbilt Road, the property known as “New Gunston Hall” or “Franklin Hall” was completed in 1923 as one of the first homes constructed in Biltmore Forest and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This estate spans approximately 8,688 square feet with nine bedrooms, five full baths and two half-baths and is exclusively marketed by Alec Cantley, global real estate advisor with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty’s Asheville office. View the listing here.
The residence was inspired by Gunston Hall, the Virginia home of George Mason, author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which later influenced the U.S. Bill of Rights. The home was commissioned by William Mason, George Mason’s great-great-grandson, and is recognized by the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office as the first known residence replicating one of the nation’s landmark 18th-century homes built by a direct descendant of the original owner.
The estate was designed by noted Washington D.C., architect Waddy Butler Wood, whose work included many of the nation’s distinguished early 20th-century residences and national landmarks, such as the U.S. Department of the Interior Headquarters building and the Woodrow Wilson House. The home is thought to be Wood’s only residential commission in North Carolina.
Approached through a wooded drive atop one of Biltmore Forest’s most prominent ridgelines, the Colonial Revival estate spans more than 11 acres with mountain views, formal gardens and a level of privacy rarely found so close to Asheville. Constructed with Flemish bond brickwork and slate roofing, the residence retains original millwork, hardwood floors, formal entertaining spaces and eight fireplaces that reflect the craftsmanship and scale of its 1920s origins.
The grounds, originally designed by noted landscape architects, Chauncey Beadle and Lola Anderson Dennis, include rolling lawns, formal gardens, mature trees, a greenhouse, outbuildings and mountain views, creating a private estate setting.
A meticulous three-year restoration completed in 2016 modernized the estate’s infrastructure, systems and amenities while carefully preserving its historic character. Updated lighting, refined finishes and contemporary functionality were integrated discreetly throughout the home, resulting in a residence that lives comfortably as a modern luxury estate while maintaining its architectural integrity.
Biltmore Forest remains one of Western North Carolina’s most established residential communities, known for its historic estates, wooded landscapes and proximity to Asheville’s cultural, culinary and outdoor amenities.
Quotes from Alec Cantley, global real estate advisor, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, Asheville office:
"This is the first known house replicating one of the nation's landmark 18th-century houses that was built by a direct descendant of the original owner. That distinction is why it sits on the National Register of Historic Places and carries such an impressive lineage."
“What makes this offering especially compelling is that the arduous work has already been done. A restoration, completed in 2016, brought every modern luxury into complete harmony with the home's historic soul. Specialty lighting, a six-car garage, fully updated systems; all of it woven seamlessly into a home with eight original fireplaces and century-old millwork.”
“A National Register designation does not come with a checkbook. You cannot manufacture a provenance that connects a residence directly to a Founding Father. And you simply cannot create 11.26 acres on Vanderbilt Road in Asheville. That land, in that location, does not come available.”
“This is not only one of Asheville’s most important historic residences, but also a property that reflects the enduring legacy of Biltmore Forest and the early vision for the community.”
About Premier Sotheby’s International Realty
Headquartered in Naples, Florida, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty has over 1,200 real estate professionals in 40 locations throughout Florida and North Carolina. Premier Sotheby’s International Realty also benefits from an association with the storied Sotheby's auction house, established in 1744. The brokerage is proudly associated with Peerage Realty Partners. For more information, visit premiersothebysrealty.com.
