Downtown Asheville
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International attention was focused on the city when George W. Vanderbilt decided to build his 125,000 acre Biltmore House and Estate on the city’s doorstep, and by the early 1900’s the haut monde from around the globe began flocking to Asheville for its cool climate, spectacular scenery and invigorating mountain air. Many of the architects and artisans imported by Vanderbilt later transformed downtown Asheville with buildings comprising a spectrum of styles that fused Continental culture and fine living. But the Great depression brought Asheville’s growth to a screeching halt, and the once vibrant downtown began a decades long economic decline. However, in the 1970’s, an influx of newcomers-many of them free-spirited, cash-strapped artists-were drawn to Asheville by its cheap rents and available business space. Slowly but surely, the heart of the city once known as the "Paris of the South" was transformed into what could more aptly be described as the "SoHo of the Blue Ridge". Shops, restaurants, and especially art galleries began springing up in long-shuttered buildings.
Downtown Asheville is a natural starting point for those looking to explore the arts, and there’s probably no better way to begin the journey than on the Urban Trail, a 1.7 mile paved walkway with information stations featuring artwork chronicling Asheville’s art history. The trail passes by a number of architectural restorations, many completed in the past few years, that were spurred by the city’s need to accommodate its burgeoning art industry. In 1929, the Grove arcade opened as the nation’s first shopping mall; today it’s home to arts and crafts outlets as well as restaurants and other stores.
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NC Mountain Realty Group •
NC Mountain Realty Group | Asheville Luxury & Foreclosures •
(828) 337-6300
2690 Hendersonville Road • Arden ,
NC 28704
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