On a recent trip to visit my daughter and son-in-law, who live in Asheville, North Carolina, we spent another wonderful day in the historic downtown. Instead of writing about all the things we did, saw and experienced, I want to focus on just one of my favorite places in Asheville, the Grove Arcade.
Many people today hear the word “arcade” and think of a place that houses video games, but in the late-19th and early-20th centuries in the U.S., these buildings were mixed-use projects that combined retail space and offices.
The Grove Arcade was completed in 1929 and built by E. W. Grove, a self-made millionaire who built the equally wonderful Grove Park Inn -- a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Historic Hotels of America. Unfortunately, he died in 1927, never seeing through his original project, which was a 14-story tower. What was completed was an incredible 269,000-square-foot building that was one of the largest buildings in this part of North Carolina. Charles N. Parker was the architect.
The Grove Arcade was, for the most part, closed in the 1940s, but it was restored and opened in 2002. It is full of shops and offices.
Many people today hear the word “arcade” and think of a place that houses video games, but in the late-19th and early-20th centuries in the U.S., these buildings were mixed-use projects that combined retail space and offices.
The Grove Arcade was completed in 1929 and built by E. W. Grove, a self-made millionaire who built the equally wonderful Grove Park Inn -- a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Historic Hotels of America. Unfortunately, he died in 1927, never seeing through his original project, which was a 14-story tower. What was completed was an incredible 269,000-square-foot building that was one of the largest buildings in this part of North Carolina. Charles N. Parker was the architect.
The Grove Arcade was, for the most part, closed in the 1940s, but it was restored and opened in 2002. It is full of shops and offices.
As mentioned, E. W. Grove built the luxurious Grove Park Inn in 1913 and modeled it after the railroad hotels of the West. It is definitely worth a stop to take a look, shop, eat or visit the spa. This picture shows the view from one of the restaurants.
Before you get inside the arcade, there are lots of outdoor vendors. This captured the attention of my daughter, Ellen, and wife, Ruth. As they looked and shopped, my walk of the historic district was delayed!
We approached the arcade from the south, and you can see what appears to be a mixture of Italian Renaissance architecture with Gothic elements. There are 88 gargoyle heads on the exterior walls. Also, four roof gargoyles function as downspouts.
The interior is really stunning. We happened to be there when the sun poured into the building. There is lots of natural light, lots of shops and, what I found most impressive, multiple spiral staircases. The Grove Arcade's website offers a great description of the spiral staircases and provides more information about the building's architecture and includes an architectural tour.
“Spiral staircases were invented in the Middle Ages to make maximum use of space. The spiral staircase also uses one of the oldest symbols of spiritual progression in human history. Spirals represent cycles that both move forward in time and return to a beginning. Charles Parker used the staircases for effect -- adding to the see-and-be-seen psychology of the arcade -- while reserving square footage for the all-important store rentals.”
There are many other architectural elements, including this head that serves as a bracket for the doorway’s ornamental frame. By virtue of its position, it is the most dominant in the arcade.
There are wonderful shopping opportunities, including those featuring local artisans. 
As we headed toward the north entrance, we saw our final destination-- a European wine bar, called Sante.
A nice end to a great day in downtown Asheville!
Scott Gerloff is president and CEO of Heritage Travel, Inc. and its website, Gozaic.
Photos by Scott Gerloff
As we headed toward the north entrance, we saw our final destination-- a European wine bar, called Sante.A nice end to a great day in downtown Asheville!
Scott Gerloff is president and CEO of Heritage Travel, Inc. and its website, Gozaic.
Photos by Scott Gerloff
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