Living in Asheville, North Carolina: Personal: Where I Live

I currently reside at the historic Kenilworth Inn Apartments, which sits on a hill nestled between the Tunnel Road business district, Biltmore Village and downtown Asheville. Logistically, the location is just about ideal as local roads permit easy access to Swannanoa River Road, to the south, Tunnel Road, to the east, and Biltmore Avenue, to the west. The building has a rich history that one can immediately infer from its Gothic Tudor Architecture - or the plaque at the entrance showing the building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The building, in its current configuration, offers 93, often uniquely designed, apartments. Those drawn to live here appreciate the interesting layout and the charm of the old building. However, the building one sees today is actually the second Kenilworth Inn to sit atop this hill.

The first Inn, shown above, opened for business in 1890. Unfortunately, the grand old Tudor building was destroyed by fire in 1909. The current building, shown below in pictures taken on 10/29/09, was completed in 1918 and went immediately under lease to the US Army as Army Hospital No. 12, to aid in the treatment of casualties of World War I. The new building did not resume its status as a resort until 1923.

Significant phases of this building's history are summarized below:

1918 Construction of current building completed - Army Hospital No. 12

1919 US Army lease expires

1923-29 Kenilworth Inn

1931-43 Appalachian Hall (a mental health facility)

1943-46 U.S. Naval Convalescent Hospital, Kenilworth Park

1946-99 Appalachian Hall/Charter Hospital

2000 Purchased by current owner; renovated/re-opened as Kenilworth Inn Apts

Asheville offers a number of great places to live, in a variety of beautiful, interesting, and historic neighborhoods, such as Kenilworth, Montford, Beaverdam, West Asheville, - the list goes on. There is certainly no shortage of old and interesting residential architecture. The Kenilworth Inn Apartments, where I live, is just one of many options. For those drawn to an historic residence, with both its charm and quirks, the Kenilworth Inn, with its central location and great access, is a great find. For me, it's currently where I reside while Living in Asheville, North Carolina.