Creating Elegance and Mystery After Dusk at America’s Largest Privately Owned Home 

ASHEVILLE Estate, NORTH CAROLINA

When one of America’s most storied estates set out to elevate its nighttime experience, the owners turned to Pinnacle to illuminate the grounds without altering any historic surfaces. The 1880s property required a balance of preservation and quiet sophistication with warm, moonlit tones, era-appropriate materials and design choices that felt natural.

Pinnacle created an immersive after-dark environment by hiding fixtures in trees, behind plantings, along pergolas and within copper piping. The lighting allowed weddings, concerts and seasonal events to extend seamlessly into the evening. “When we flipped the switch and saw everything come to life, there was a real wow factor,” says founder Jim Burks. 

The result redefines what exterior lighting can do for a historic property. Today, some of the estate’s most breathtaking moments happen long after dark. 

A large, historic glass and brick conservatory is lit from below at dusk, with arched windows, symmetrical gardens, and benches in the foreground.
Stone busts on pedestals line a shaded, gravel pathway beside a tall stone wall, with metal benches and green foliage along the edges.
Wooden benches sit beneath twisted tree branches on a terrace, overlooking distant mountains at sunset with a colorful sky.
Stone steps with a metal handrail descend at night, illuminated by lights; a statue and green-lit bushes are visible in the background.
A stone statue of a seated woman reading a book is positioned on a terrace, overlooking a scenic view of mountains at dusk.
A large arched doorway with glass panels is set in a stone building, flanked by benches and trees, with a statue on the right side.
A stone wall with a basin and a sculpted fish water fountain is illuminated by warm lights at night; small plants grow between the stones.
Outdoor courtyard with wooden benches, vine-covered pergola, large arched windows, and a statue in front of a stone building at dusk.
An informational sign with maps and text stands beside a shaded garden pathway lined with green plants and trellises.
A paved path curves through a lush, green park with tall trees and sunlight filtering through the leaves onto the ground.

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