The Pete DeBusk house is Knox County’s largest residence at 40,000 square feet with 48 rooms, sitting on 25 acres in Halls, Tennessee. Built over nearly a decade, this mansion features marble fireplaces, Waterford Crystal chandeliers, and Brazilian cherry wood throughout. The property includes a separate 10,000-square-foot guest house with three additional bedrooms.
Who Owns the Pete DeBusk House?
Pete DeBusk, founder and chairman of DeRoyal Industries, owns this massive estate with his wife Cindi. DeBusk started DeRoyal in 1973 after patenting an orthopedic boot, and grew the medical products manufacturer into a global company serving over 70 countries.
The businessman built his fortune from humble beginnings. He grew up in a mobile home in Lee County, Virginia, before creating one of Tennessee’s most successful healthcare companies. His estimated net worth reaches approximately $750 million as of 2025, making him one of the state’s wealthiest individuals.
Property Size and Location
The estate sits on Cunningham Road in the Halls area of Knox County. From Google Maps, the 25-acre property appears to take up an entire block. The sheer size draws constant attention from passersby who often slow down to take in the view.
The main residence spans 40,000 square feet. For perspective, that’s roughly 50% larger than the famous Beverly Hillbillies mansion, which measures 25,000 square feet. The main house contains 9 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms, while the guest house adds 3 more bedrooms.
Building the Mansion: An Eight-Year Project
Construction of the Pete DeBusk house took nearly eight years to complete. What started as an ambitious project kept growing in scope. “I got into it, got into building the house. It got bigger, and it got bigger,” Pete explained in an interview. He admitted the final result surprised even him.
The extended timeline allowed for careful attention to architectural details and the sourcing of rare materials from around the world. The result is a property that stands as one of the largest private residences in Tennessee and ranks among the top 100 homes in the entire United States.
Interior Features and Design Elements
The mansion’s interior showcases extraordinary craftsmanship and rare materials. Pete sourced marble from around the world, including Afghanistan, using seven or eight different types throughout the house. This marble appears prominently in two stunning fireplaces that serve as focal points.
Brazilian cherry wood floors run throughout the 48 rooms. Most chandeliers feature Waterford Crystal, a point of pride for Cindi DeBusk, who personally selected each piece.
The rooms feature exceptionally tall ceilings. Cindi admits she’s become addicted to the vertical space. The architectural design creates an open, airy feeling despite the home’s massive footprint.
Among the unique decorative pieces, one sunroom contains a historic harp so old it’s essentially priceless, along with a chess set crafted from silver and gold.
Living in Knox County’s Largest Home
Maintaining a 40,000-square-foot residence requires significant help. The DeBusks employ three people who help maintain the home daily. From cleaning to landscaping the 25-acre grounds, the property demands constant attention.
When Cindi first saw the completed mansion, she was overwhelmed. “I grew up in North Knoxville and the house I grew up in would probably fit in the kitchen, size-wise,” she recalled. The scale shocked her initially, but the couple has grown to appreciate the space.
Despite its size, the DeBusks insist it feels like home. They value the room and comfort the property provides. Pete said he wouldn’t give up an inch of it.
Pete DeBusk’s Philanthropic Legacy
Beyond his impressive residence, DeBusk is known for extensive charitable work. He serves as chairman of the Board of Trustees at Lincoln Memorial University, where his contributions have funded three major institutions.
His philanthropy established the DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, the DeBusk Veterinary Teaching Center, and the Duncan College of Law at Lincoln Memorial University. These institutions continue his legacy of giving back to education and healthcare.
In 2000, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley expanded into the Halls/Powell area with a facility named after him, reflecting his commitment to youth development in the community where he built his mansion.
From Pharmaceutical Sales to Business Empire
DeBusk began his career in 1965 as a pharmaceutical salesman and regional sales manager after graduating from Lincoln Memorial University. His entrepreneurial journey started when he noticed deteriorating plaster casts and invented a better solution.
That orthopedic boot patent in 1973 launched DeRoyal Industries. The company initially operated from Fountain City before expanding to manufacturing plants worldwide. DeRoyal now produces over 20,000 healthcare products, from orthopedic softgoods to wound care supplies and custom surgical procedure trays.
The company maintains manufacturing facilities across Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, and international locations in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Estonia, and Guatemala. As of 2017, DeRoyal employed approximately 1,900 people.
Property Value and Real Estate Context
The Pete DeBusk house is valued at over $10.5 million according to property records. This places it among the most expensive properties in Knox County and eastern Tennessee.
The mansion represents a dramatic evolution in Halls residential architecture. The community has progressed from Thomas Hall’s late-1700s log cabin to this modern estate spanning two centuries of development.
Local historical records note that when the house was first completed in the 1980s and 1990s, drivers on Cunningham Road would nearly crash from looking at it. Even today, people unfamiliar with the area slow down to glimpse the property.
How the Mansion Compares to Other Famous Estates
The 40,000-square-foot DeBusk residence dwarfs most celebrity homes. The Beverly Hillbillies mansion in Los Angeles, built in 1933, spans 25,000 square feet with 11 bedrooms. That property, known as Chartwell Mansion, once listed for $245 million before selling for $150 million in 2018.
While Villa Collina in Knoxville was larger at one point, that mansion was demolished in 2016. Pete DeBusk even purchased 77 columns from Villa Collina before its demolition, presumably for use at Lincoln Memorial University or other properties.
Guest House and Additional Structures
The 10,000-square-foot guest house effectively doubles as a second residence on the property. This auxiliary building offers its own bedrooms and amenities, allowing the DeBusks to host visitors comfortably without compromising their privacy in the main house.
The guest house alone exceeds the size of most luxury homes in the area. Its 10,000 square feet is twice the size of Villa Collina’s guest house, emphasizing the scale of the entire estate.
Media Coverage and Public Interest
The Pete DeBusk house has generated significant local media attention over the years. Local news stations have featured tours of the property, showcasing its unique architectural elements and rare materials.
A popular local story involves a five-year-old driving past the mansion with her mother. When asked who lives there, the child confidently replied, “A giant,” a response that captures how the community views this outsized property.
The mansion appears on celebrity home tour websites and architectural interest platforms. Its size and location make it a landmark in the Halls community, easily visible from Cunningham Road.
Architectural Significance in Tennessee
The Pete DeBusk house holds historical importance as one of Tennessee’s largest private residences. Its construction in the 1980s and 1990s set new standards for luxury residential building in Knox County.
The mansion’s design incorporates classical elements with modern amenities. The use of imported marble, custom chandeliers, and rare wood species demonstrates attention to both aesthetics and quality craftsmanship.
The property’s 25-acre setting provides privacy while maintaining proximity to Knoxville’s amenities. The location near Halls offers a suburban feel with countryside views, including distant vistas of the Smoky Mountains.
Lessons from Pete DeBusk’s Success Story
DeBusk’s journey from a mobile home to Knox County’s largest mansion illustrates classic entrepreneurial success. He identified a market need, created a solution, and built a global company from that single product.
His business philosophy emphasizes long-term growth over quick profits. This approach allowed DeRoyal to expand steadily into new markets and product categories while maintaining quality standards.
Diversification played a key role in building lasting wealth. Beyond DeRoyal Industries, DeBusk invested in real estate and other sectors, creating multiple income streams that supported major projects like his mansion.
The Future of the Estate
At 40,000 square feet with 48 rooms, the Pete DeBusk house stands as a monument to one man’s business success and architectural ambition. The property likely will remain in the family for years to come, given the couple’s attachment to their home.
The mansion serves not just as a residence but as a symbol of what’s possible through entrepreneurship and perseverance. From humble beginnings in Virginia to building Tennessee’s largest private home, Pete DeBusk’s story resonates with anyone pursuing ambitious goals.
The Pete DeBusk house represents more than luxury real estate. It stands as physical proof that Tennessee entrepreneurs can build global businesses and create lasting legacies. Whether you’re interested in architecture, business success stories, or simply curious about extraordinary homes, this Knox County estate offers a fascinating case study in American achievement.
Ready to explore more exceptional properties in the Knoxville area? The region continues to attract successful business owners who value quality of life, natural beauty, and proximity to both urban amenities and outdoor recreation.
