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Without a doubt, some of the most fascinating features of the Belleview Biltmore Resort are normally hidden from view; seen only by staff and those guests who take the historic tour of the hotel.
To keep workers from inconveniencing wealthy guests in 1897, a basement and a labyrinth of tunnels was constructed beneath the resort. Guest’s luggage and steamer trunks, along with laundry, ice, food and other supplies made their way to the appropriate section of the hotel via inconspicuous service staircases, which provided access to all hotel wings, ballrooms and kitchen areas.
When the hotel was first built, the railroad tracks ran right up to the entrance of the hotel. In those days, workers used push carts to move supplies to and from the train on tracks that ran into the basement. Laundry and most of the baking was done down there, too. Even in later years, when the basement was mostly used by maintenance workers, the tunnels provided staff easy access to various sections of the hotel.
Today, the original boilers, ice-keep, ovens, railroad tracks, and freight lift mechanics are just a few of the fascinating historic features, still preserved in the basement.
The fifth floor is also an intriguing section of the resort. The top floor of modern hotels is usually reserved for the highest-paying guests, so it might seem odd that the fifth floor of the Hotel Belleview was originally constructed for the use of nannies and servants who were traveling with hotel guests. But when we are reminded there were no passenger elevators in 1898, the design becomes easier to understand.
The fifth floor as suffered damage from roof leaks, but the damage is mostly confined to the drywall/plaster walls and ceilings. Some floor boards are damaged in small sections of the fifth floor as well, but the primary structure beams/supports/lath remain sound
The attic is mostly empty, save a few screens and left-over mechanical eqipment like the top wheel of the original freight lift.
Initially, the attic was an important feature to help control the heating and cooling of the old hotel and it held much of the electrical wiring (remember, in 1898 this hotel boasted three electric lights in every suite!)
But what's most interesting about the attic today is the fact that it provides a good look at the structural beams of the hotel, which are in almost perfect condition, despite their age.
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