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Asheville architecture

Asheville is home to the Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned house in the United States. The city also boasts one of the highest concentrations of Art Deco architecture in the Southeast, preserved from the 1920s.

  • 4Landmarks
  • 1895Oldest · Biltmore Estate
  • 53 mTallest · Biltmore Estate
  • 4Architects

Before you go

  • Fly intoAsheville Regional Airport (AVL)

    Asheville Regional (AVL) is the primary gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is currently undergoing the 'AVL Forward' expansion, a massive project to build a brand-new terminal and modernized gates to accommodate its status as one of the fastest-growing regional airports in the U.S.

  • CurrencyUS Dollar ($)
  • LanguageEnglish

    The local speech is a unique blend of Appalachian mountain heritage and a modern, eclectic 'Blue Ridge' influence. The tone is generally friendly, artistic, and deeply connected to the surrounding mountain culture.

  • Getting aroundART (Asheville Rides Transit)

    The ART bus system provides localized transit across the city's unique mountain topography. It features a fleet of hybrid-electric buses that connect the downtown hub to the River Arts District and Biltmore Village.

4 landmarks in Asheville

  1. Biltmore Estate
    Photo: Blake Lewis, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Biltmore Estate

    1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803

    America's largest privately owned home, this 250-room French Renaissance château was built by George Washington Vanderbilt II. The estate features sprawling gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, a winery, and hidden doors within its library and billiards room. It remains a pinnacle of Gilded Age architecture and landscape design.

    Built
    1895
    Architect
    Richard Morris Hunt
    Style
    French Renaissance
    Height
    53 m (174 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Museum / Historic Landmark
  2. Basilica of Saint Lawrence
    Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Basilica of Saint Lawrence

    97 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801

    A minor basilica featuring the largest freestanding elliptical dome in North America. Built using a unique tile-and-mortar system without wood or steel beams, its design is heavily influenced by Spanish Baroque style. The interior is noted for its intricate stained glass and the crypt of its architect, Rafael Guastavino.

    Built
    1905
    Architect
    Rafael Guastavino
    Style
    Spanish Renaissance Revival
    Height
    25 m (82 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Religious Site / Landmark
  3. Grove Arcade
    Photo: Warren LeMay from Cincinnati, OH, United States, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Grove Arcade

    1 Page Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

    One of America's first indoor shopping malls, this architectural jewel features ornate Tudor Revival details and a grand sky-lit atrium. Originally intended as a base for a 14-story skyscraper that was never completed due to the Great Depression, it now serves as a vibrant hub for local artisans, boutiques, and restaurants.

    Built
    1929
    Architect
    Charles N. Parker
    Style
    Tudor Revival
    Height
    18 m (59 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Shopping Mall / Residential
  4. The Omni Grove Park Inn
    Photo: Elisa.rolle, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    The Omni Grove Park Inn

    290 Macon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804

    Constructed from massive granite boulders hewn from the adjacent Sunset Mountain, this resort is a masterpiece of the Arts and Crafts movement. Known for its enormous 14-foot stone fireplaces and history of hosting luminaries like F. Scott Fitzgerald and several U.S. Presidents, it offers panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

    Built
    1913
    Architect
    Fred L. Seely
    Style
    Arts and Crafts
    Height
    30 m (98 ft)
    Stories
    7
    Today
    Hotel / Spa

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