A Remarkable Home
The largest private residence in Tennessee
Few homes in America have captured the imagination quite like Villa Collina. Set on the waterfront of the Tennessee River in Knoxville, this Italian-inspired villa — its name means “hill house” — spanned an astonishing 40,250 square feet, making it the largest private home in Tennessee and, at one time, among the largest in the entire United States.
Built between 1993 and 2000, the mansion was a marvel of scale and craftsmanship, with 86 rooms and amenities more befitting a luxury resort than a family home. For years it stood as one of Knoxville's most talked-about landmarks — admired from the river, photographed from the air, and known across the region.
Beyond Imagination
A mansion of superlatives
Villa Collina's 86 rooms held features that read more like a wish list than a floor plan.
- Eight bedrooms
- Eleven full baths & five half baths
- A three-story library
- A 2,600-square-foot wine cellar
- Eleven fireplaces
- Indoor and outdoor pools
- Fitness center, spa & sauna
- A home theater
- A dance floor & elevator
- A six-car garage
- A commercial-grade kitchen
- Guest suite & staff quarters
Read more about the home's design and rooms on the mansion page.
A Generous Spirit
A legacy of giving back
Villa Collina was more than a private residence — for a time, its doors opened to the community. Under owner Eric W. Barton, the mansion hosted numerous fundraisers, galas and celebrations that benefited local nonprofits and worthy causes, helping to raise millions of dollars for organizations across East Tennessee. From charity derby parties to events supporting children's healthcare, the home became a setting for generosity as grand as its halls. Explore that legacy of giving.
The Final Chapter
A landmark remembered
After changing hands and going to auction, Villa Collina's story came to a close. Demolition of the mansion began in late 2021 and was completed in 2022, and the riverfront property is being redeveloped into new homes along the Tennessee River. Though the great house is gone, its place in Knoxville's history — and in the memories of those who visited — remains. Learn the full story of what happened to Villa Collina.
A home of extraordinary scale, and a chapter of Knoxville history now part of the past.
Common Questions
About Villa Collina
What was Villa Collina?
Villa Collina was a 40,250-square-foot waterfront mansion on the Tennessee River in Knoxville, Tennessee — the largest private home in the state, built between 1993 and 2000.
Is Villa Collina still standing?
No. The mansion was demolished, with work beginning in late 2021 and completed in 2022. The riverfront land is being redeveloped into new homes.
How big was Villa Collina?
The mansion measured about 40,250 square feet with 86 rooms, ranking as the largest private residence in Tennessee and among the largest in the United States.
Where was it located?
Villa Collina sat on the waterfront of the Tennessee River in Knoxville, Tennessee.