Following weeks of preliminary groundwork, construction has officially begun on the new Moxy Asheville – North Carolina’s first Moxy Hotel – located at 61 Biltmore.
Upon planned completion in early 2024, the hotel will feature 115 guest rooms, the brand’s iconic Bar Moxy and modern lobby, and an independent rooftop bar and restaurant. Moxy Asheville will connect to the existing Aloft Asheville Downtown to form a new dual brand offering. Although the hotels will boast separate lobbies and elevators, they are set to share amenities to enhance the guest experience, including the pool deck, fitness center and meeting space.
McKibbon Equities, a newly created company responsible for new development and asset management of McKibbon-owned properties led by President J.B. McKibbon, is developing the hotel with the development arm, McKibbon Places, overseeing construction and design as project manager. Winford Lindsey is serving as the architect with Kellogg & Kimsey serving as general contractor and Seattle-based hospitality design firm, The Society, is handling all interior design. McKibbon’s management arm, McKibbon Hospitality will be charged with operating the hotel and establishing the property’s leadership team upon opening.
“We believe that the Moxy brand will be a great fit for the creative and eclectic spirit of Asheville and are excited to start making progress on the hotel and its independent rooftop bar and restaurant,” said J.B. McKibbon. “This project has been a long-time coming and will round out our suite of Asheville hotels, creating new jobs and inviting spaces for visitors and locals alike to enjoy.”
Catering to adventure seekers and the young at heart, the Moxy brand celebrates nonconformity, open-mindedness, and originality above all. Setting the tone for a playful stay, guests are treated to a complimentary cocktail, mocktail or coffee along with their room key upon check-in at the bar. This fun-loving brand boasts stylish and inviting communal spaces and bold programming, encouraging guests to let loose, celebrate and socialize. Creating a truly unique guest experience, all of Moxy Asheville’s public spaces and guest rooms will be fully customized and non-prototypical.
In addition to creating upwards of 40 jobs, Moxy Asheville will provide associates with a living wage – a standard practice at all of McKibbon’s Asheville properties. Entry-level associates currently start out at $17.70/hour, which is expected to increase to $19/hour in 2023, with full medical benefits and opportunities for upward mobility with upper-level positions, including general managers, middle managers and bartenders, receiving higher compensation with opportunity for growth.
McKibbon is also committed to giving back and providing significant public benefits through this hotel project with large financial contributions to the city, integration of local artwork from local and regional artists throughout the space in accordance with its Local Art Program, and a continued culture of community service.
Great, another hotel and a big new shiny warplane factory in south Asheville. Still houseless people living on the street and freezing to death. Where is the homeless solutions we were promised? How about Duke Energy? You made them responsible for cleanup or are OUR bills going up to pay for THEIR irresponsible business practices?