A new project on Broadway

Posted on by David Forbes

Over the past two years, the corridor along Asheville's Broadway Street has developed dramatically, with old buildings taking on new uses or meeting the wrecking ball. The Pioneer building, containing apartments and the relocated Dripolator coffee house, opened recently. Nearby, Greenlife Grocery bustles. Farther down the road, the Health Adventure is planning an ambitious health-and-science learning facility that might be backed by county loans.

Empty no more? After laying vacant for over a decade, the former Dinner for the Earth site at the beginning of Broadway Street has a new owner. Photo by Jonathan Welch

Yet amidst all this growth, the buildings at 160-164 and 170 Broadway, just north of the Interstate 240 underpass, have remained vacant for over a decade, ever since the Dinner for the Earth closed and reopened as Earthfare in the Westgate Shopping Center.

That may change. The lots were recently sold for $2.4 million to the Whiteside Fund, a partnership of real-estate developers. Earlier this year, the fund purchased the former Old Europe coffee location at the corner of Broadway and Walnut streets in downtown.

At press time, representatives of the Whiteside Fund had not returned calls for comment.

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5 thoughts on “A new project on Broadway”

  1. orulz

    The sidewalks are SCARY in front of that building. Way too narrow.

    Broadway should be a two lane street with parallel parking. There’s so little traffic that losing the lanes shouldn’t hurt at all. I think I heard the city talking about wanting to do that… if they do, while they’re at it, they should widen the sidewalks.

  3. Your Copy Editor

    ” . . .Empty no more? After laying vacant for over a decade, the former Dinner for the Earth site at the beginning of Broadway Street has a new owner.. .”

    Check usage of lay/lie.

  4. D. Dial

    They got a great location at a bargain price. The buildings are obviously tear downs. Loaded with asbestos and not that attractive….the bricks are nice though.

    The folks who did the Pioneer Building did some creative use of stone from the old site. Perhaps the new owners will use some salvaged parts in their new plans.

    As a neighbor, am looking forward to seeing what they come up with.

  5. hauntedheadnc

    I sincerely hope they’re not tear downs. This town is losing way too many historic buildings as it is.

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