Community Foundation of WNC planning to move from downtown BB&T offices to Hendersonville Road

Jason Sandford

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

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From the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina’s website. The Community Foundation has offices now in the BB&T building in downtown Asheville. It will take some time to renovate the old Biltmore School building, so this move won’t be immediate.:

CFWNC is planning to relocate its offices to the iconic Biltmore School Building on Hendersonville Road.  The historic structure has been purchased by a local investment group that plans to restore it and create professional office space.  

The Community Foundation is a regional resource and the new location provides ease of access for constituents, ample parking and an opportunity to own office space and reduce operating costs.  The relocation is a fiscally responsible move.  The purchase will be accomplished without a capital campaign and allows the Foundation to build equity. 

The 57,000 square foot building was constructed in 1927 and has stood vacant for more than a decade. Previous efforts to restore the building for adaptive reuse as a regional museum or condominiums were not successful. 

Developer Rick Grant, President of Beverly‐Grant, is leading the effort.  “This is a project we have coveted for many years,” said Grant. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the assembled project team, the high level of interest in the space already, and the encouragement from the community to put this beautiful property back into service. It’s a hometown landmark . . . getting needed attention from hometown people. For that I am most proud.” 

Office suites are offered for lease or purchase in the building. Currently, the space is more than 30 percent purchased with early commitments coming from CFWNC, Altavista Wealth Management and medical and dental practices. “We are pleased to collaborate with others to restore this historic Asheville building,” said Elizabeth Brazas, CFWNC President. “After an extensive downtown search, we could see the potential in this project and committed early to help move it forward.”  

“We are very excited about the opportunity to relocate our main office to this historic building” added Dan Akers, Managing Principal of Altavista Wealth Management. “The Biltmore School Building is a treasure from our community’s past, and we look forward to seeing it restored to its original grandeur.”