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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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226_hilliard_avenue_2014Hometrust Bank recently acquired a key piece of South Slope property at 226 Hilliard Ave., as well as another parcel of land, for a total of $2.899 million, according to property records. The property was in foreclosure.

The South Slope property sits at the corner of Hilliard and Asheland avenues. The Hot Spot is directly across Hilliard from the parcel. Hi-Wire Brewing is nearby at 197 Hilliard.

Seems to me the property would be a hot commodity, with all the other activity happening on the South Slope. To review:

-Beer: Asheville’s newest craft brewery, Twin Leaf Brewingjust opened on the corner of Coxe and Banks avenues. Last year, Hi-Wire Brewing opened nearby, as did Ben’s Tune-Up, a popular restaurant right next door. Also, Wicked Weed Brewing announced that it plans to open a sour beer tasting room and beer storage facility on Coxe Avenue across from Twin Leaf. Some folks want the South Slope to be known as the Asheville Brewery District.

-Renovation of old Standard Paper Building: The massive vacant building on Banks Avenue is being renovated to house several new business. Vortex Doughnuts is moving in, and word on the street is that a new restaurant is in the works in an adjacent space in the building, which will also be home to the announced Public School bar.

-Downtown Market building renovations: The South French Broad Avenue building that is home to the Downtown Market was just sold and there are plans for its renovation. A discount grocery store inside the building is planning to triple in size, and there are plans to add residential units to the building.

-Chrysler building renovations and nearby plans: A 1.78-acre parcel of property at 185 Coxe Ave. sold recently. Early word on the street is that the new owner plans to build a large apartment building on the site. The empty lot sits right across the street from Asheville’s Chrysler building, which is being renovated for a mix of about 25 condos and retail space. Next to the Chrysler building is an empty lot that is the site of a proposed eight-story building with a parking deck and 40-some apartments. The same ownership group owns all the lots.

-The established businesses: Asheville Pizza & Brewing is already an established South Slope business, having moved to Coxe Avenue back in the mid 1990s when nobody was looking that way. The same goes for Green Man Brewing and its neighbors on Buxton Avenue, including Asheville Hardware, Eagle’s Nest Outfitters and the French Broad Chocolate Factory. These businesses already are providing a steady southward pull for residents and tourists alike.

Image of 226 Hilliard from Google Street View.

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

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6 Comments

  1. Maybe November 2, 2014

    How about… a Starbucks? /sarcasm

    Reply
  2. Sean April 17, 2014

    I like the fact that you didn’t mention the Prospect. Let’s just keep that one a locals-only secret : )

    Reply
  3. Leland April 16, 2014

    Hopefully a restaurant will go there so your repetitive, useless, worn out and vile reviewer can comment about the macaroni and cheese should the place even put it on their menu.

    Reply
    1. Harry April 18, 2014

      I hope it’s a Chick-fil-A so we can watch Stoober’s head explode.

      Reply
  4. John April 16, 2014

    Think you’re about a decade off on the established businesses. Green Man and ABCo opened up their South Slope locations in the early 2000s.

    Reply
    1. indy April 17, 2014

      Green man was much before Asheville Brewing’s Coxe location. I’m guessing 2006 fore AB.

      Reply

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