Back in July, I floated a rumor I was hearing that the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa folks were strongly interested in buying the BB&T building in downtown Asheville and renovating it to create a downtown presence for the Grove Park Inn. Ron Morin, the Grove Park Inn’s vice president and managing director, responded at the time that such a move would be “wishful at best,” but noted that it’s no secret that over the past few years the inn has been interested in establishing a downtown presence.
I’m hearing again that there’s continued interest by the Grove Park Inn in doing a deal with the BB&T, a building that’s been owned for years by the Wilcox family of Wilcox World Travel and Tours.
The possibilities for a major renovation seem endless, and lots of folks around town think the 1960s era BB&T is an eyesore that’s long over-due for a facelift.
It still seems doubtful to me that anything will come of this, but who knows? Meantime, I keep hearing that the possibilities are still being discussed.
7 Comments
@Been there
So it was long before this website but not that long ago and before Asheville was discovered? Brilliant.
Long before this web site, and well be some of you found Asheville, 6 of us were walking down the middle of Biltmore Avenue on a Friday night there was no traffic, and it was not that long ago, well, 10. Before Asheville was discovered.
We saw lights, beer lights, on the top floor of the BB&T. Barleys was about the only thing else, so we headed to the roof of the building.
Last night for a restaurant on the top floor. $1 beer all night. It was a pretty good night.
Scott, what's the history of the Wilcox family buying the building? Sounds interesting.
The BB&T Building is definitely the ugliest building in all of Asheville and is desperate for a total makeover. This building has a great location and offers amazing views in all directions. I would love to see a restaurant and cocktail lounge on the top floors and another restaurant and bar on the street levels. It also has a three deck parking garage right across the street which is a huge plus downtown.
The problem is that the building is so old and outdated that it would really require a total gutting right down to the steel girders, removing asbestos, and basically starting from scratch to bring it up to date. The Wilcox family has done nothing to improve or upgrade this building since the bought it on the steps of the Buncombe County Court House many years ago.
Does Grove Park Inn have the funding and ability to pull off such a huge undertaking? The GPI structure on Macon Ave. is also one of the ugliest structures in our city. They ruined the charm and character of the original hotel when they added those hideous additions on many years ago.
I would think Biltmore Farms might also be a good choice since they have had such success with Biltmore Park.
Is it even possible to change that building in any substantive way? I'd say remove it and replace it with a building more in character with Asheville. I can't think of a building that's a greater contrast to the image I have of the Grove Park Inn.
How interesting….I heard the SAME thing last evening while sipping bubbles at 5 Walnut. Would be a great addition to downtown……
I sure hope so. It's in desperate need of a renovation. Too bad F. Scott Fitzgerald isn't still around to give the place a little character….