River Arts District Homes

River Arts District

Once a railroad hub and the industrial hotspot in Asheville, the River Arts District has undergone a revolution. After a great flood in 1916 that overflowed the French Broad River, many of the industrial companies that sat riverside were rendered unsalvageable, and this district was largely abandoned for many years. However, after Asheville began gaining national attention in the 1970's, the abandoned buildings were offered to local artists who could not afford gallery spaces in the developing Asheville Downtown. As building owners began selling their property to the artists themselves, the Renaissance began taking new form. Murals, community art, building restoration, and local businesses had a stronger presence in the RAD, and the trend continues today.

With the recently installed Riverwalk, Asheville city officials have determined the River Arts District as a unique center of development that largely benefits local business owners and artists, and delights the thousands of yearly visitors to the area with a unique experience to see how art can conquer even the most ravaged areas. It is now a burst of color and local graffiti art wrapping all buildings in the District, while keeping that rugged edge of industrial landscapes and aesthetics. 

Homes in the River Arts District are few, but include a mix of freestanding homes, condos, and townhomes. The strongest part of the RAD's renaissance came in 2005, so homes here are either much older with a lot of character, or they are newer builds that attempt to match the funky aesthetic. Lying less than a mile south of Downtown Asheville, prices in the River Arts District are high for the area. You can expect some older Arts and Crafts bungalows, modern condos, traditional townhomes, and a few other housing styles in the mix. 

The River Arts District lies just off of I-240, and additionally has quick access to local thoroughfares like Haywood Road in West Asheville and Hendersonville Road in South Asheville. This gives residents here quick access to many local amenities in and out of the district. Try the hip Ultra Coffee for a good cup of joe and a house-baked treat, enjoy and upscale dining experience at the Bull and Beggar, and share a beer with friends at the original Wedge Brewery next to the old train tracks. For more entertainment and dining options, you can walk or drive the mile to Downtown Asheville, or the quieter downtown of West Asheville. For shopping, you can use backroad Swannanoa River Road to access the Asheville Mall in five minutes, or head onto I-26 to the Asheville Outlets. Mission Hospital is accessible in ten minutes, and the Asheville Regional Airport is just a 20 minute drive away. Come see why the large silo in the RAD used to read "Keep Asheville Weird!"