Exploring Asheville's Upscale Neighborhoods

In the 1960s, Asheville, N.C., attracted artists and free thinkers from around the country. Today, the thriving mountain town embraces its uniqueness with the catchphrase "Keep It Weird," as it maintains a funky, eclectic vibe. With incredible views of the Appalachian Mountains, Asheville has a spirited live music scene, a flourishing local microbrewery segment, and countless museums, galleries, arboretums, and nature centers.

While the area attracts tourists for its "weirdness" factor, the River Arts District, Biltmore Estate, and growing culinary scene keep them coming back for more. Lending to the natural beauty and authenticity of the area, many upscale neighborhoods in Asheville offer splendid amenities, providing a wonderful one-of-a-kind locale to call home.

Everyone wants to be at the center of what makes this region so extraordinary: downtown Asheville. The centrally located hub is the most exclusive area to live in this chic mountain town.

The bustling downtown district includes over 200 locally owned businesses in a friendly, walkable atmosphere that offers an eclectic mix of boutiques, galleries, restaurants, coffee shops, tattoo parlors, and salons. According to Southern Living, there are "more breweries per capita than any other city in the U.S.," making Asheville a "perennial contender for the country's best beer city" and affording visitors a vast selection of local handcrafted beers. It also hosts more than 30 art galleries, each offering an individualized approach to personal expression.

Residents and visitors alike enjoy the laid back vibe of downtown Asheville. A normal day can consist of casually strolling trendy, bohemian streets searching for treasures, watching street performers and buskers, or shopping for a new outfit as aromas of freshly-brewed coffee waft through the air from the cozy corner bistros.

The beautiful weather encourages an outdoor lifestyle, with the nearby Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Mountains offering scenic waterfall hikes and easy access to exhilarating outdoor activities. With the French Broad River flowing through Asheville, kayaking, paddling, rafting, and other adventurous water sports are also popular.

The foodie's paradise offers a vast array of farm-fresh options sure to please any palate. Some of our favorite hot spots for upscale dining include:

1. Cúrate: Located in a renovated 1920 bus depot, the trendy eatery serves traditional Spanish tapas in a lively open kitchen atmosphere. A long-standing favorite among locals, the restaurant is a 2022 winner of the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Hospitality and listed in Wine Enthusiast Magazine's list of "America's 50 Wine Restaurants We Love."
2. The Posana Restaurant: A warm and welcoming main dining room provides a delightful venue for enjoying contemporary American dishes from a seasonal and sustainable menu sourced from over 65 local farmers and purveyors. The relaxing outdoor patio is a comfortable spot for sampling a glass of wine from the award-winning wine cellar.
3. Rhubarb: Renowned chef John Fleer serves a delightful contemporary Appalachian cuisine with specialties that include ember roasted Joyce Farms half chicken and Sospiro ranch rabbit for two. Every Tuesday, the dining room serves a three-course family-style meal highlighting the area's best locally sourced food.

There is high demand for luxury housing, especially in the upscale neighborhoods of Asheville. The area boasts an eclectic architectural mix of buildings, with styles including Art Deco, Romanesque Revival, Neoclassic, Gothic, Beaux Arts, and Spanish Renaissance.

Over the years, historical buildings have undergone massive renovations to attract high-end tenants. Many of them now feature upscale luxury condos, measuring more than 4,000 square feet, with some costing upwards of $2.5 million.

The community of Grove Park borders downtown Asheville and is one of the most distinguished residential areas in the region. Listed on the National Historic Register, Grove Park Historic District is rich with history, with the elegant Omni Grove Park Inn — created in 1913 — the focal point of this highly sought-after town. The Donald Ross-designed golf course at the Grove Park Inn is considered one of the top 10 century-old courses in North America, and the spa — a true American treasure — is one of the top 10 in the world.

The planned suburban community features meticulous landscaping design by horticulturist Chauncey Beadle, who worked at the Biltmore Estate nursery for 60 years, tending to the native plants and famed azaleas of the property.

Grove Park is also home to the Botanical Gardens at Asheville which offers a meandering trail through fabulous gardens, and the Western North Carolina Nature Center which houses over 60 types of animals. The Historic Grovewood Village features the work of more than 400 artisans with a focus on American-made arts and crafts.

Charlotte Street — walkable from many residences in Grove Park — features family-owned bakeries, ice cream shops with handmade treats, farm-fresh eateries, and chic boutiques.

• The Vue 1913, a AAA Four Diamond restaurant, offers a stylish, comfortable atmosphere serving seasonal rustic local fare complemented by top-rated wines from the cultivated wine cellar. Located inside the Omni Grove Park Inn, the brasserie-style Art Deco dining room features panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
• Sunset Terrace offers a distinctive outdoor dining experience featuring hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, and premiere chops. The incomparable views of the mountains are only seconded by the extensive wine list that is a 10-time recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.

The exquisite luxury properties in Grove Park feature stately architectural masterpieces of the Spanish Colonial, Tudor, and Victorian styles. The sidewalks are lined with large deciduous trees, and stone retaining walls highlight many of the home's terraced gardens.

The Fitzgerald at Grove Park Inn houses luxury condominium residences ranging from 1,900 square feet to 2,800 square feet, priced between $720,000 and $2.5 million.

Mark Fields Real Estate is an experienced real estate agent with vast expertise in the local market. Providing professional real estate services for buyers and sellers, he specializes in luxury properties in Asheville and the surrounding communities.

In addition to downtown Asheville and Grove Park, Mark can help you find a place to call home in Montford, Kenilworth, and Biltmore Forest. He also represents many exclusive communities from Weaverville to the north, Arden to the south, Canton to the west, Black Mountain to the east, and everywhere else in between.

Call today to learn more about living in Asheville, and let Mark help you own a little piece of this truly unique mountainside paradise.