DOWNTOWN 39 BILTMORE LOFT - ELEGANT LIVING ON A BUSTLING CORNER

Downtown was not yet hip when we decided to buy a building in Asheville in the year 1999. We thought, hey, wouldn't it be a creative, FUN time and investment to renovate an old building and be able to have a small apartment where we could stay sometimes? Though our farm was only 23minutes north, we felt this downtown option would really be the lap of luxury (it is)! We were fortunate to find an old, 2 story corner building with an art studio and gallery on the main floor, an apartment above, and a dilapidated basement. There were dozens of coats of paint on both the brick walls and the old Heartwood Pine floors; the frontage was a 1940's aluminum; and the owners were relectant to sell. After friendly negotiations, and paying much more than we really thought it was worth (does that sound familiar?), we went to work redesigning and putting together a construction crew. This 18 inch brick walled, ugly and decrepit dinosaur circa 1885 building is transformed and now on the National Historic Register on a gem of a corner surrounded by thriving restaurants, shops, galleries, coffee houses, a parking garage, and the new A-loft Hotel (part of the international Starwood Hotel system). We feel so fortunate to be part of a bustling downtown that still retains its historic character and charm!

We've said it all before and we'll say it again - you'll just LOVE being Downtown right in the middle of it all with kind and caring folks all around and exciting things all about! The character and simplicity of Heartwood Pine floors, high ceilings and brick walls, all enconsced in a 1000 SF Loft with tall windows and skylights.... is awesome. Next door you'll visit the Double Decker Coffee & Dessert BUS; view the Fine Arts Theatre across the street where you will see artsy new independent movies; just a block away enjoy The Orange Peel, considered by Rolling Stone Magazine to be one of the best music venues in the nation; organic minded bodies will resonate with the French Broad Co-op 1 block south and the Farmer's Market down the street on Wednesday afternoon plus the City Market a few blocks away on Saturday mornings, in season; take a slow walk in the delightfully designed Pack Square Park up the street with its grassy areas and trees, water features, and its leisurely promenade - great for sitting, musing, and people watching; how about Broadway quality shows at Pack Square in the Diana Wortham Theatre just 1 block up the way?; a plethora of natural 'farm to table' restaurants are tantalizing; the original craft brewery in Asheville, Highland Brewery, was born in the basement environs of Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria right across the street; the Drum Circle, our primal beat, is our go-to on Friday nights - could we be so lucky?

location - location - location

parking - parking - parking

historic - historic - historic

excitement - excitement - excitement