Developed by Encore Lodging, The Asheville Foundry Inn Will Join Curio - A Collection by Hilton™
MCLEAN, VA. September 17, 2015 - Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) today announced that The Asheville Foundry Inn in North Carolina will join Curio - A Collection by Hilton™, a global set of remarkable upscale and luxury hotels hand-picked for their distinctive character and personality, appealing to passionate travelers seeking local discovery.
Construction of the new-build 92-room hotel at Eagle and South Market streets will preserve existing buildings in the exciting downtown area to maintain the character and spirit of the local community. The Asheville Foundry Inn, Curio Collection by Hilton, is expected to open by December of 2016.
Historically known as the Foundry Buildings, the three original, contiguous buildings to remain as part of the development are recognized as some of the most significant structures in Asheville. Much of the steel used in the construction of buildings in the Asheville area was formed and created at this site. Along with two newer buildings on the site, The Foundry Inn will be comprised of these five connected buildings including a 100-seat restaurant, 3,500 square foot lounge with a library and fireplaces, 3,600 square foot luxury spa and fitness center, and about 3,000 square feet of functional meeting and event space.
Guestrooms will be comfortably designed and will give the guest multiple room types that are unique to exciting historic properties.
"Curio properties come in all shapes and sizes, and The Asheville Foundry Inn will be one of the most distinct," said Matt Wehling, senior vice president, development - North America, Hilton Worldwide. "While it will be a new hotel, it will keep the inimitable look and feel of the buildings that have called the neighborhood home for many years."
In the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, Asheville is the largest city in the region and is renowned for its natural beauty, thriving arts community, and high quality of life.
The Foundry Inn will live in the heart of Asheville, which has become a tourist attraction itself with a funky and eclectic downtown with more than 30 art galleries and a thriving culinary and craft beer scene as over 25 micro breweries call Asheville home. The region's natural beauty attracted George Vanderbilt to build the nearby Biltmore Estate in 1895, which today is the largest privately-owned house in the United States, drawing approximately one million visitors each year.
"Not only do we want to restore the historic fabric of these buildings, we want to create a quality project that represents the standard that people in Asheville expect," said David Swentor, founding partner of developing group, Encore Lodging.
"Asheville has long been an escape from the heat for the people from Atlanta, Knoxville, Columbia and surrounding areas, and we hope to give people a reason to visit the cool air and beautiful foliage of the mountains at any time of year," said David Tart, partner, Encore Lodging.
Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church sold its three properties on the site to Encore for $3.5 million as part of an effort to revitalize the neighborhood. The hotel will adjoin the historic Young Men's Institute (YMI), a structure that was designed and built by the same tradesmen that built the Biltmore Estate. The YMI building dates back to 1894 and was the social gathering place for the skilled laborers that worked for years constructing George Vanderbilt's Biltmore Estates.
"As we grow the Curio collection, we're proud to also grow the communities in which our properties are based by adding to the character of existing neighborhoods and providing guests an unmatched experience," said Dianna Vaughan, global head, Curio - A Collection by Hilton.
As members of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio, all Curio hotels, including The Asheville Foundry Inn participate in Hilton HHonors®, the only hotel loyalty program that allows members to earn both Points and Miles on the same stay and no blackout dates on reward stays. In addition, HHonors members can use Points to purchase unique experience rewards, premium merchandise, make charitable contributions and more.
For more information on The Asheville Foundry Inn, visit curiocollection.com.
About Curio
Curio - A Collection by Hilton (curio.com) is a global set of remarkable upscale and luxury hotels hand-picked for their unique character and personality; each one a part of the city they call home. Curio guests are passionate, independent-minded travelers seeking local and authentic experiences who value the added peace-of-mind that comes with the Hilton name and award-winning Hilton HHonors program. Curio joins a portfolio of world-class brands from Hilton Worldwide, a leading global hospitality company. Come discover the latest stories at news.curio.com
About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxury and full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and focused-service hotels. For 96 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company's portfolio of twelve world-class global brands is comprised of more than 4,440 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties, with more than 730,000 rooms in 97 countries and territories, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to benefits including free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors app, where HHonors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their room using a Digital Key. Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com for more information.
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