After seeing an almost total drop in revenues after closing in late March, the Biltmore Estate announced April 1 it will furlough 2,200 of its 2,500 employees.

In normal years, the 8,000-acre estate draws 1.4 million visitors annually, making it the largest tourist attraction in the immediate Asheville area. But with the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to spread in the United States and various limits imposed on businesses taking a toll, the estate announced it would close temporarily, as of March 26.

"With unbelievable speed, our world has changed due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic," Biltmore Estate President and CEO Bill Cecil Jr. said in a statement. "As our nation responds to this health crisis, we are experiencing swift changes that are seriously impacting Biltmore as a contributor to tourism and employer in this region. Since closing, we have seen a rapid 95% drop in revenue."

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Other than during World War II, the estate has never closed its doors since opening to the public in 1930. The city of Asheville had requested the estate open a tourist attraction to help the area economically, as the Great Depression had hit the region hard.

“This is undoubtedly the most painful time we have experienced in our company," Cecil said, adding that team members are the foundation of the company. "Staffing measures are temporary and intended to end as soon as business can resume. We will survive this setback and we will recover."

Employees on temporary furlough are not working, as most of the estate's operation is closed. The 250-room French chateau built by George Vanderbilt and opened in 1895 anchors the estate, which also is home to a winery, two hotels, retail shops, multiple restaurants and a working farm.

April usually is a booming month for the estate, which has extensive formal gardens and spectacular azalea blooms that draw thousands of tourists.

Some employees may come back earlier than others, estate spokeswoman Kathleen Mosher said.

"We have told them they could be called in due to operational need," Mosher said. "Some departments will need to ramp up prior to opening as well."

Tourism at a standstill

Buncombe County put in a "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order that went into effect March 26 and curtailed operations of businesses. Gov. Roy Cooper issued a "Stay at Home" order that started March 30.

Such orders have largely stifled tourism in the area.

“Public safety measures to address COVID-19 are critical for the health of this community," Cecil said. "We have followed drastic, but necessary, government mandates to close operations in an effort to slow the spread of this virus. As a result, we now face serious financial realities of sustaining our business during the uncertain duration of this crisis."

Mosher said the staffing measures the estate is putting in place "are impacting every department in the company during our closure.

"While we have these measures in all departments, how they are operating during this closure varies," Mosher said. "We have infrastructure needs — farm, security, horticulture, maintenance, etc. — that are being maintained and allowed in the government mandates."

Some of these areas are allowed with reduced staff, such as wine production and e-commerce, Mosher said. Some corporate services departments, including payroll, human resources and the call center, "are operating with limited staff who can work remotely."

Those working at the estate continue to follow CDC recommendations for social distancing.

Typically a thriving business

Biltmore Estate has thrived over the past few decades. In 2017, Cecil said the estate's 2016 revenues totaled $207 million.

More:How will Biltmore Estate handle the transition to new owners?

Asked if the estate had reserves on hand to weather the COVID-19 crisis, Mosher declined to give specifics, noting the company "is experiencing a serious financial crisis that is unprecedented.

"We have always been a fiscally responsible company and that foundation is important right now," Mosher said. "The longer this crisis continues, though, the greater long-term impact to our company."

The furloughs and other measures are a temporary plan "so that we are in a position to reopen quickly," she said. "That said, we are determined we will find a way to recover regardless of the duration."

Members of management will take a pay reduction during the closure, if they are not furloughed.

Biltmore will continue to cover employee benefits without interruption, and it will cover health insurance premiums at no cost to employees. Also, employee 401k loans will be deferred for those on temporary furlough.

The employee health clinic will remain open, and a Family Emergency Fund is available for company employees through Eblen Charities. The company also has a COVID-19 employee hotline for business updates and information about the federal stimulus bill and unemployment insurance information.

"When this crisis is behind us and our guests are ready to travel again, our team will be here to welcome them with the gracious hospitality for which we are known," Cecil said.