Feedback sought for Thomas Wolfe cabin renovation plans

Jason Sandford

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

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Asheville residents are invited to review and offer feedback on plans to renovate a cabin that famous native son and acclaimed writer Thomas Wolfe used as a writing retreat in the summer of 1937.

Folks can check out the design concepts from 2-3:30 p.m. on Aug. 1 at Recreation Park Conference Room, 72 Gashes Creek Road across from the WNC Nature Center; and from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial on North Market Street in downtown Asheville.

The city wants public feedback before finalizing a master plan. A design team from the Atlanta-based architecture firm Lord Aeck Sargent has been working on two concepts, which will be up for review.

The cabin, located on city-owned property off of Azalea Road near Azalea Park, has fallen into disrepair. The renovation and planning process underway now is part of an ongoing effort to preserve the cabin and  to allow time for the city to explore ideas for an adaptive reuse program consistent with the site’s history, according to a city press release.

The city’s goal: to rehabilitate the cabin and consider additional uses for the surrounding property that could make it a destination for residents and tourists, according to the news release. There will also be an assessment of the connectivity from the site to surrounding destinations, trails and the planned Swannanoa River Greenway. The master plan will also include recommendations for the rebuilding of a treehouse present on the site during Thomas Wolfe’s stay in the cabin, according to the release.