Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Photo courtesy Biltmore Co.
There’s so much positive economic development happening in Asheville right now that it’s hard to keep track of it all. One of the biggest events of all will be a major addition to the Biltmore Estate, one of Western North Carolina’s biggest tourist attractions.
The Antler Hill development will include a new adventure center, where visitors can sign up to explore the estate’s grounds. There will be a new tavern, called Cedric’s Tavern, certainly featuring locally made beer. There will be a tribute to the original Biltmore Dairy Bar that will feature signature shakes and premium ice creams. And much more. I don’t remember the price tag of the development, but it’s certainly a multi-million dollar investment in a key Asheville property.
A little more from a 2009 press release:
The new Antler Hill Village will be open to guests as part of the daily admission to Biltmore. This pedestrian-friendly village, located adjacent to the Winery and River Bend Farm, will become a center of activity that joins two historically significant and popular attractions at Biltmore.
Antler Hill Village will expand current guest offerings at the estate and include a new exhibition space, dining, shopping, a new outdoor adventure center and a village green with live entertainment. As part of this project, Biltmore Winery will be enhanced to offer newly designed tour and tasting areas. The existing interpretive farm area with historic barn, kitchen garden and farmyard will be incorporated as well. The estimated cost of this project is $18.6 million.
“We are pleased to announce this exciting new guest experience at Biltmore,” said William A.V. Cecil Jr., CEO of The Biltmore Company. “This area of the estate has become a fun location for outdoor activities, and one that is rich with agricultural history. At Antler Hill Village, guests will learn even more about our family’s interest in agriculture and the outdoors, as well as my great-grandfather’s legacy of making Biltmore self-sustaining.”
Click here to see more of what’s coming to Asheville and WNC in 2010.
Too bad the new stuff will be "behind the gates" requiring any visitors to pay the very expensive admission charges to the estate.
Way too expensive and not worth it. If you’ve seen Biltmore once, then you’ve seen Biltmore. Simply no way to justify the prices they charge.
The estate has become a fun location for outdoor activities, and one that is rich with agricultural history.