10.06.2023

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Douglas Ellington’s art deco influences

The First Baptist Church of Asheville will remain in place on the property. | Photo by AVLtoday

Asheville’s mountain views are a sight to behold, but you’ll find equal beauty in its historical architecture. In the 1920s, business was booming, and Asheville became home to 65 new commercial buildings. Development slowed as the nation hurdled toward the Great Depression, but the city was left with sleek, geometric art deco buildings. And the man behind many of these iconic structures was Douglas Ellington.

Ellington was a native of Clayton, NC. He studied architecture at the Drexel Institute and the University of Pennsylvania, later studying in Paris after winning the 1911 Paris Prize from the Society of Beaux-Arts Architects. He developed his art deco style before opening an office in Asheville’s Flatiron Building.

Let’s dive in to some of his most well-known local works (and a few you may not know he designed):

Asheville City Hall

Finished in 1928, the building is capped with an elaborate, octagonal red + green-tiled roof, using influences from mountain imagery and Native American motifs.

Asheville High School

Very few high schools look this regal. Ellington was chosen out of a group of seven architects to complete the project — which he did while simultaneously working on the First Baptist Church and Asheville City Hall.

Another notable public building in Ellington’s portfolio is the S&W Cafeteria. The architect also designed the Lewis Memorial Park Cemetery Office and the Merrimon Avenue Fire Station, again working on these smaller commissions while erecting many of our city’s most recognizable public structures.

Ellington’s own Asheville home is a testament to innovation. It was built completely by hand and sans blueprint — leftover materials from Ellington’s civic projects were used to construct the stone + brick cottage. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 and now serves as an event venue.

Whether you’re an architecture buff or just want to know more about the history of our city’s structures, you can take a journey through the Asheville Architecture Trail. Use the interactive map, and delve into the history behind each building.

Events

Friday, Oct. 6

Haunted Trail | Friday, Oct. 6-Monday, Oct. 30 | 6-9 p.m. | Adventure Center of Asheville, 85 Expo Dr., Asheville | $18-$44 | Gather the kiddos for a family-friendly haunt with live actors, lights, and comedy during the trail’s opening night.
Pack Square Artisan Market | Friday, Oct. 6-Friday, Oct. 27 | 1-8 p.m. | N. Pack Square, Asheville | Free | This street festival features handmade goods from local + independent artists.

Saturday, Oct. 7

Pickin’ and Pullin’ | Saturday, Oct. 7 | 12-6 p.m. | Funkatorium, 147 Coxe Ave., Asheville | Free | Feel the rhythm of live music from Andy Ferrell and John Duncan + The Dirty French Broads, nosh on barbecue from The Peculiar Pig, and sip on pumpkin beers.
WNC Parade of Homes | Saturday, Oct. 7-Sunday, Oct. 15 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Homes located around WNC, Various, Asheville | Free | Tour new and remodeled homes from builders across Western North Carolina, including popular mountain towns like Asheville, Hendersonville, Brevard, Black Mountain, Fairview, Marshall + more.*

Sunday, Oct. 8

Asheville Veganfest 2023 | Sunday, Oct. 8 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Pack Square Park, 80 Court Pl., Asheville | Free | Get your fix of plant-based food, and enjoy a family fun zone, live music, and shopping.
Barktoberfest | Sunday, Oct. 8 | 12-3 p.m. | French Broad River Park, 508 Riverview Dr., Asheville | Free | Bring your four-legged friend for a day of fun — bobbing for tennis balls, getting caricatures, and taking pictures in the doggy kissing booth.

Monday, Oct. 9

Good Women with Halle Hill & Diamond Forde | Monday, Oct. 9 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe, 55 Haywood St., Asheville | Free | Join in person or online for a conversation co-presented by The Rumpus about Hill’s debut story collection, delving into the lives of 12 Black women across the Appalachian South.
Mario Kart Tournament | Monday, Oct. 9 | 7-9 p.m. | Bear’s Smokehouse, 135 Coxe Ave., Asheville | $5-$10 | Put your skills to the test and compete against others for prizes at the first edition of this monthly tournament — register to reserve your spot.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Development

After a 3-3 vote, the Planning and Zoning Commission did not recommend that City Council conditionally rezone a 279-unit complex, citing concerns with affordability + tree preservation. Even without the recommendation, the proposal will move forward, with developers requesting to go before City Council on Tuesday, Nov. 14. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Eat

Chef Luis Martinez’s Tequio Foods has launched its first Tequio’s Market sale of tamales, salsa macha, and red corn tortillas. Browse the mouthwatering offerings and place your order by Sunday, Oct. 8. Then reserve your spot to pick up from Botanist and Barrel Tasting Bar + Bottle Shop on Thursday, Oct. 12 from 5 to 7:45 p.m.

Community

Buncombe County is sponsoring a Halloween Blood Drive at Pack Memorial Library on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Participants can help save lives and receive a t-shirt, pizza from Mellow Mushroom, and chances to win prizes — everything from tickets for the Haunted History Murder Mystery Trolley Tour to an Oculus headset.

Cause

Harness your competitive streak for a good cause. Well Played Board Game Café is partnering with MANNA FoodBank for Cans for Catan. Players can vie for the title of “Asheville’s Ultimate Catan Champion” after donating 10 cans of nonperishable food or making a $10 donation — find details and register.

Outdoors

Ever dreamed of angling with your favorite musical artist? You have the chance to make it happen with national nonprofit Can’d Aid’s Fishing with a Musician auction. Experiences with local artists, like Robert Greer of Town Mountain and Graham Sharp of Steep Canyon Rangers, are available. Find the full list.

Job

MANNA FoodBank is hiring for an IT Support Specialist and Director of Operations. Use your experience to help the dedicated team end hunger in WNC. Find details for the roles and apply.

Edu

Breaking news: UNC Asheville just announced the launch of Access Asheville, a new financial aid program that pledges free tuition and fees for North Carolina residents whose annual family income is $80,000 or less. Learn more + apply.*

Seasonal

Celebrate 10 years of Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum. From Friday, Nov. 17-Sunday, Dec. 31, witness a spectacular open-air walk-through light show of over one million lights. This year’s event features favorites like the 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details. Get tickets.*

Giveaway

Why camp when you can glamp? Highland Brewing is teaming up with Diamond Brand Gear to host a Backyard Bound Glamping Giveaway, offering a $3,800+ prize package that includes a custom Asheville-made glamping tent, solo stove, chairs, and more. See details + enter.*

Featured Deal

Save 30% off MSRP at Enza Home Furnishings and Mattress Gallery’s Mattress and Bedding Sale at 25 Long Shoals Rd. in Arden. Pick from the best comfort, support and cooling in every size. Think: Latex, Hybrid, memory foam, and innerspring in firm, medium, or plush with fast delivery or pickup.*

Active

Fall means perfect biking weather — and studies have shown that e-bike riders typically ride more often (and for longer distances) than traditional bike riders. This brand carries new and certified pre-owned e-bikes at up to 60% off retail; delivering them 99% assembled to your doorstep. Use code RUN for $100 off.*

Opening

🎼 Step into the portal

Burial Beer Co.'s new music venue announces its first shows in November

People posing for a photo while working on construction for Eulogy

Construction is wrapping up for the venue to open up next month. | Photo by Phil Cassela

Burial Beer Co. has its finger on the pulse of the music scene with summer’s Anno X anniversary celebration and the annual Burnpile festival — but the brewery is turning things up a notch with the November opening of Eulogy. The highly anticipated live music venue, or “portal of sound” as it describes itself, will be next door to the brewery’s South Slope Taproom at 10 Buxton Ave.

This week, the venue announced the lineup of shows for its first month. The first show kicks off on Saturday, Nov. 4 with experimental rock band Xiu Xiu. Other notable performances include solo sets from members of Animal Collective, Avey Tare, Geologist, and Deakin, plus indie folk outfit Mount Eerie.

Tickets for all November shows are available now, so act fast for your chance to enter the portal.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Grace

From the editor

I had Lana Del Rey’s “Art Deco” on repeat while writing this architecture story for you all. And although there’s almost no thematic connection between the song and Ellington’s work, I loved every minute of it.

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