Lift & Relay Project on Biltmore Lodge Gate

For more than 120 years, the Lodge Gate has stood as the main entrance to the Biltmore Estate. By the early 2020s, its aging condition had already prompted early conversations about a future restoration. Those conversations became urgent in 2024, after Hurricane Helene sent floodwaters rising nearly to the top of the archways where cars drive underneath. In the storm's aftermath, restoration was no longer a matter of if, but when.

A close inspection of the roof yielded encouraging news: the original Ludowici clay tiles, despite their age, remained largely sound over the 2,700 square foot roof. Rather than replacing the entire roof, we recommended a careful lift-and-relay of the historic tiles, preserving as much original material as possible.

Work began in early 2026. Each tile was removed by hand and even numbered them by row to ensure the roof turned out perfectly. The copper finials that topped the roof were likewise removed with care, to be reinstalled once the underlying structure was restored. These copper finials are an impressive eight-feet high from top to bottom! With the roof stripped down, we installed new underlayment, copper flashings, and built-in gutters to give the historic tiles a durable, weathertight foundation.

As the tiles were set back in place, each one was individually tested, and only those that passed inspection were reinstalled. The ridge tiles were replaced with salvaged ridge tiles from matching ridge tiles sourced from other Biltmore buildings which were not in as prominent of locations, allowing the roof to retain its historic character without compromising its integrity. Installation was wrapped up by mid-April, just in time for Biltmore’s Spring season.

The end result is a beautifully restored Lodge Gate, returned to its former grandeur. Its silhouette unchanged, its craftsmanship honored, and its roof once again standing ready to be the entryway to the iconic landmark for generations to come.