Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Property records show that Shalin Patel has purchased a second parcel of property along Patton Avenue just outside of downtown Asheville.
The latest parcel of property sold for $142,500. It’s a vacant lot, 196 Patton, that sits at the corner of South Ann Street. A couple of weeks ago, Patel bought an adjoining parcel of property which is home to the old Merita bread building at 188 Patton Ave. (In the above photo, the lots are labeled 8797 and 0712.)
Patel works in the hotel business. He’s not offering details, but I’m wondering if he has plans to build a new hotel on the site.
Asheville is on the verge of a downtown hotel building boom. Here’s a quick look at the projects that are on the boards. We’ll have to wait and see what actually gets built. But right now, there’s a ton of action planned:
-Haywood Street at the intersection of Montford Avenue: This location is the former Three Brothers restaurant site. Plans have been submitted to the city
-Haywood Street across from the U.S. Cellular Center: This location is home to a crumbling parking deck. The McKibbon Hotel Group has an option to purchase this property, and owner John McKibbon has said he wants to build a boutique hotel there.
-BB&T building: McKibbon recently bought the iconic Asheville office building and is planning to renovate it. The building will include a hotel, McKibbon has said.
-Elm Street off Merrimon Avenue: A Greensboro-based company that owns and operates hotels has purchased a parcel of property at 39 Elm St. The location is next to the 51 Grill on Merrimon Avenue, and is known to many as the old location of a Steak and Ale restaurant. More recently, is was La Caterina Trattoria restaurant. Word on the street is that a Marriott hotel is planned.
-Corner of Page Avenue and Battery Park Avenue: Tony Fraga, the owner of the Haywood Park Hotel, recently unveiled plans to build a Cambria Suites hotel on the site. Mountain Xpress has details here.
-Biltmore Estate: Rumor only at this point, but word on the street is there is a new hotel in the works for the Biltmore Estate property.
Isn’t Patel on the TDA also? Those that refuse to help advocate for a reasonable hotel tax????
they were also in weaverville looking at the space where southern homes used to be right above bojangles and suntrust.
yuck! please keep – on the other side of the highway….
The Patels own motels, not hotels, that they run into the ground with absolutely no upkeep. I should know, I used to work for one in the early 90s. Just what Asheville needs, another crappy motel.
The Downtown Inn & Suites has cleaned up and it is a decent, budget-friendly place.
Whatever gets built there I really really hope it’s a taco pizza restaurant with a craft beer brewery attached. Please please please!!!!
I’m sure you didn’t work for Shalin or his relatives. I worked for them in college and they’ve purchased and renovated several hotels in Asheville. I look forward to some investment in this corridor that leads to downtown. It currently isn’t the most welcome-looking entrance to the rest of downtown Patton Avenue.