Asheville, North Carolina, USA
2007 Population Estimate-73,875
Metro-404,320
Consistently Ranked as one of the Best cities in America for numerous polls. Beautiful southern city located in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/AshevilleNC_at_dusk.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/208/459817289_59341aa084_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/167/434236919_989d09ccd8_o.jpg
http://www.romanticasheville.com/Downtown_images/AshevilleSkyline2009a.jpg

very nice city............i like the last photo

I've been to Asheville several times. There are a few high rises, but to term it "tons of 1920's-1940's scrapers" is a bit optimistic. The mountains are beautiful.

I've been to Asheville several times. There are a few high rises, but to term it "tons of 1920's-1940's scrapers" is a bit optimistic. The mountains are beautiful.


It was a figure of speech. No, not tons, but they have a right good number of them.
:horse:

We need more photos... But it looks really impressive for its size :okay: 7/10

Wow, this looks like a nice american city! 9/10

^^Thanks! It really is an awesome place.

http://www.supportsources.com/ncphotos/images/asheville/asheville_1999_550wm.jpg


http://www.supportrequest.com/ncphotos/images/asheville/asheville_2017_550wm.jpg


http://www.medicalmalpracticenc.com/ncphotos/images/asheville/asheville_1942_550wm.jpg


http://www.medicalmalpracticenc.com/ncphotos/images/asheville/asheville_2011_550wm.jpg


http://www.medicalmalpracticenc.com/ncphotos/images/asheville/asheville_1997_550wm.jpg


http://www.medicalmalpracticenc.com/ncphotos/images/asheville/asheville_2028_550wm.jpg


http://www.medicalmalpracticenc.com/ncphotos/images/asheville/asheville_1978_550wm.jpg


http://www.exploreasheville.com/graphics/packsq.jpg


http://www.standardpapersales.com/images/asheville.jpg


http://www.exploreasheville.com/graphics/jackson.jpg

Not a bad skyline for a small population

nice old but no talls
maybe if it was in its own class i could rate mor ethan 6

Here are some more Asheville images that might help folks make a better-eduated decision:

http://www.ashevilleimpressions.com/images/Asheville-21.jpg

http://www.ashevilleimpressions.com/images/Asheville-33.jpg

http://www.ashevilleimpressions.com/images/pg3/apples-sculpture.jpg

http://www.ashevilleimpressions.com/images/pg3/people-sculpture.jpg

http://www.ashevilleimpressions.com/images/pg3/round-roof.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34673187.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34673188.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34673189.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34673193.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34673194.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34673197.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34673347/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34673200.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34673246.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34673245.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34673201.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34673248.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34673252.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34673261.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34673254.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34673350.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34673341.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34674723.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34674726.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34674721.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34674732.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34675035.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34835971.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34675036.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34675045.jpg

All images copyrighted by either Terrence Hughes of www.ashevilleimpressions.com or "LSyd" of a whole bunch of forums, including this one.

As it may be clear from the pictures I cut-and-pasted, Asheville is most known for its historic architecture, which isn't just concentrated downtown. There are numerous historic districts throughout the city, including Biltmore Village, just outside the gates of Biltmore Estate, which is a 250-room palace on 8,000 acres of gardens and parkland designed by the same man who laid out New York's Central Park. The centerpiece of Biltmore Village is not the Estate, however, but the Cathedral of All Souls, which was built in the shape of a Celtic sun cross.

Elsewhere, there are districts like Montford and Grove Park, whose centerpiece is the massive and bizarre Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa, which was built in 1913, and has more than 500 rooms. The Inn was built from boulders carved from the mountain on which it sits, and it features such rarities as sparkling geodes and purple amethyst crystals set into the lobby walls at random, along with twin fireplaces that are each large enough to park a car in.

In addition to its historic architecture, however, one of Asheville's greatest assets is its public art, which seems to decorate every street corner. I includes some pictures of that public art, which can be found all over downtown in the form of sculptures, statues, murals, tilework, and even one work where you can spin a giant steel wheel and hear a recording of the various forms of transportation that have brought tourists (we are a resort city after all) to Asheville over the years, including the clip-clop of horse hooves, a train whistle, the scream of a jet, a beeping car horn, and the splash of a canoe paddling down one of the two rivers that flow through the city.

It's not a stretch to say that we have "tons" of historic architecture here, because the vast majority of the buildings erected during our most prosperous years (about 1880 up until 1930) still stand.

Oh yes, and strictly speaking of skylines, this is my very favorite skyline image of Asheville, taken from one of the historic neighborhoods on the mountainsides overlooking downtown.

http://wncrg.com/nc-counties/buncombe/graphics/ph-asheville.jpg

(Image can be found at http://wncrg.com )

All I can say is Great photos. Especially the last; It truly shows how dense the skyline is.

here's some of my skyline shots:

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34674719/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34675305/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34673351/original.jpg

-

I notice a lot of American skylines getting rated, including some older ones posted a long time ago. Therefore, just to be ornery, I'll bump this thread about my own city. Rate away!

Asheville, Asheville...

I tend to rate a skyline based on the way in which the following elements come together: height (though it doesn't have to be astonshingly high), density (canyons!), extent/number of buildings, and architectural value. New York, Hong Kong, Chicago, Sao Paulo, and Tokyo all epitomize what I'm looking for in a skyline. I'm pulled toward those cities with endless processions of high buildings--only a sliver of sky to be seen in any direction. Asheville simply does not have the height, number of buildings, or density to compete with these skylines.

However, the architectural value and diversity of this city are both without question quite remarkable. The wealth of historical architecture--which I love the most of all the periods--is profound. The Jackson building is a gothic masterpiece. I like the creamy, neo-classical courthouse. Some great transitional works are also present. The art deco City Hall building is very eye-catching and unique. I also saw a photograph in Post #11 in which there appears to be a Chicago School building--I love the Chicago School. And, of course, Asheville has some nice modern buildings sprinkled in there for good measure.

In addition to this wonderful architectural timeline, the streets of Asheville--aided by what looks to be great topography--seem so cheerful and attractive. I fancy myself sitting outside of a restaurant or cafe reading a book and smoking some cigarettes, taking in the incredible atmosphere of these streets.

I went to college in Madison, WI. It's not as small as Asheville (around 200,000), but it also has a very low skyline. By law, no building can exceed the height of the Capitol Building (which is the highest and arguably the most beautiful state capitol building in the country), so most buildings are under ten stories. Nevertheless, there are so many architectural treasures there that I admire. Frank Lloyd Wright's Monona Terrace is sublime, for example. The streets of Madison seem quite similar to Asheville. They both share this undeniable charm, charisma, and energy. So I guess what I'm getting at is although Asheville's skyline--in the strictest sense--may not have everything I'm looking for, the city itself seems really compelling to me. I'd love to visit sometime.

Thanks for introducing me to this city.

Asheville's architecture is one of the city's biggest draws, and the city alone attracts about two million tourists per year. Our other attractions include the arts, including the renowned Folk Art Center, where museum-quality handicrafts including quilts, stained glass, furniture, and jewelry are sold, museums including the Colburn Earth Sciences Museum, which has been described as a "mini-Smithsonian of gems," magnificent gardens including those at Biltmore Estate and the North Carolina Arboretum, which was voted as having the most beautiful natural setting in the world by the International Congress of Botanic Gardens, dazzling natural diversions like waterfalls, whitewater rafting, caving, and even a lake beach, and lots more.

It's a great small city, offering lots of big city diversions and class. Come on down, because entertaining guests is what we do best, and we've been at it since 1797.

Oh, and regarding the Chicago School building, I believe you're referring to that grey building with the stylized reliefs above the doorway. That's our Federal Courthouse.

Oh yeah... since you liked the Jackson Building, here's a close-up of one of its gargoyles.

http://www.pbase.com/mrquietguy/image/26332391.jpg

How about a picture or two of Biltmore thrown in? Anyone?

There's a thread about Biltmore Estate over in the "Architecture" forum. Lots of great pics, Tarheel -- check it out!

Let's have it.

Let's have what exactly? Do you want a link to the Biltmore forum?

Here ya go: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=122403&highlight=Biltmore+Estate

Thanks, I'll check it out.

I've been there, its a real nice town, I remember the BB&T building, I parked on the square in front of it, and my mom thought it was a Bed and Breakfast :D

Didn't care for the Biltmore, just looked like an overpriced estate to me, wasn't worth the $50 or whatever outrageous price it was to just walk around there.

9.5/10 for its size. very surprising

hauntedheadnc - Please make sure to visit the Madison skyline thread again. I posted some more pics of Madison I'd like you see (not by me).

http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=3188580#post3188580

Ashes to Ashes...

The only reason Biltmore costs what it does is because it does not receive a penny of funding from any government agency, be it city, county, state, or federal. Meaning... if those 15th Century tapestries are going to be kept in tip-top condition, somebody's got to pony up.

That, and Biltmore is one of the biggest taxpaying entities in Buncombe County, and the county gets cranky if its kept waiting for its share. Go figure. :laugh:

Meanwhile, there is actually an online gaming community called "Asheville to Ashes" and bases its storyline around the White Wolf line of games involving supernatural entities such as vampires and werewolves. Which actually isn't all that far removed from the truth -- Asheville is known for being a place where weird things happen. Frequently.

Bump this thread, Asheville rocks!

There's a lot of US cities getting looked at here lately, so here's a bump for my town!

The city is nice and all, but the skyline is mediocre at best. I give it a 5/10.

Nice photos!

7/10

To really appreciate Asheville you've gotta go out for a night on the town--it's so vibrant for no apparent reason. Where do all the kids come from? Boone probably. Skyline gets a seven, mainly because of that great red-shingled building

The city is nice and all, but the skyline is mediocre at best. I give it a 5/10.

you're on crack. what it lacks in size and height it makes up for it with beauty.

-

I gave it an 8. Love the skyline and love the city even more. Bigger is not always better. To all the people outside the US, this would be an excellent place for a US vacation (part of a vacation), or holiday as you all say. I think you'd be surprised.

Nice old buildings, but we`re rating skylines.

http://www.imgcity.net/server/primary/ACVB-AshevilleSkyline2.jpg

http://www.imgcity.net/server/primary/skyline.gif


www.gregwalkerrealtor.com
http://www.imgcity.net/server/primary/skylinenew.jpg

www.lewisrealestatenc.com/
http://www.imgcity.net/server/primary/AO1.jpg

ashville is a really nice city!!! 10/10...but what about showing us some pics of Biltmore?;)

www.jefftraynor.com/ northcarolina/biltmore.jpg
http://www.imgcity.net/server/primary/biltmore.jpg

i love asheville it is soo beautiful in the morning and and when the sun goes down i love the old buildings they are soo old and unique and they have got to be my favorite thing about asheville along with the mountains its overall a beautiful city with a unique skyline and its full of history and beauty 9.5/10

I love ASHEVILLE!

It is VERY hard not to love Asheville. It is a beautiful city, with a very nice skyline and an amazing downtown that set the standards high for any NC city. Here is a link to my Asheville photos: http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/asheville&page=all.

8/10

Wow... has it really been this long since anyone's looked at this thread?

It's tallest is beautiful. 7/10

[QUOTE=JRQ]I love this city!!!! BEST Skyline in the World for its size!!

City Population-69,000[QUOTE]

It's an ok place, but not that special, I've seen places with a smaller population, with a better skyline. But i'm not saying the skyline is bad for it's size. Ow btw, 6.5/10

6.5/10

I love North Carolina in general, but this is one of the best small cities in the country. Just a treasure trove of nice old buildings.

6/10 Descent

I just visited North Carolina for the first time. Asheville was incredible - a remarkable city by any standard.

WOW, that's a very interesting looking city for the States. I like it!
I give it an 8.5
That one tallest older white one is spectacular.

WOW, that's a very interesting looking city for the States. I like it!
I give it an 8.5
That one tallest older white one is spectacular.

You should see the city in person. Remarkable. I hate to admit it, but the grounds and setting, especially, of the Biltmore Estate are incredible.

http://www.biltmorevillage.com/BILTMORE_ESTATE.JPG

cool

7/10

9/10- very well-developed and nice skyline and density for it's small pop.

For it's size it's ok but I've seen much more impressive 'skylines' of cities this size 4.5

8, It looks pretty cool.

6/10

I'm certainly not arguing against anyone's rating, but some things to consider when considering Asheville are that for one, it's not as much the quantity but the quality of the midrise buildings. All but one of the taller buildings downtown are historic, and very high-quality historic at that. These buildings were built by the starchitects of their time, and their styles were imported from New York, Chicago, and Paris.

Another thing to think about is that the city's terrain camouflages the buildings. Asheville is located in a mountainous region, and downtown is very hilly. Some taller buildings sit in a bowl that disguises their height. Other shorter buildings sit on hilltops, which makes them look much taller than they are. If the city sat on flat land, it would probably have quite an impressive skyline. However, as people today are very much against growth here, the terrain plays to our advantage. One 20-story building is being built now that will not make any impact at all on the skyline because of its location at the foot of a steep hill -- that's one of the reasons it got approved, because it won't disturb what's already here.

Anyway, like I said... just a couple of things to think about. Thanks everyone for voting.

3.5/10

This is one of my favorites cities in NC. I'm coming back soon. Nice pictures can be taken on late Spring and Fall. The colors of the vegetation are amazing. Small city but beautiful for spending time in family.
9/10

I found this picture on the internet.

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/8394/ashevillencvc9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

very litle and no tall biuldings, 5/10

Just saw yesterday, Frommer's (editors of the famous travel guides) named Asheville as one of their Top Twelve travel destinations in the world for 2007.
Congrats to Asheville!

Excellent architecture and historic buildings.
7/10

nice, 7.5/10

A famous city with very nice old buildings but I thought it has a better skyline
5

6/10

6/10

7 ,ok

6/10

7/10

7.5/10

6/10

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/150/354525727_08fb444803_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/benpierce/354525727/)

by benpierce (http://www.flickr.com/photos/benpierce/)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/55/166164704_b29d79532f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/benpierce/166164704/in/set-72157603505477553/)

by benpierce (http://www.flickr.com/photos/benpierce/)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/223/457182995_031674f9b2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/benpierce/457182995/in/set-72157603505477553/)

by benpierce (http://www.flickr.com/photos/benpierce/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2338/1936207105_43176b0eac_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/benpierce/1936207105/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2234/2124237414_d34b1bdc58_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/benpierce/2124237414/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3568/3355820084_8e14230931_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/miketheb/3355820084/)

by Mike the B (Headed to the Big Easy) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/miketheb/)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/30/41589240_dc80358cef_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdzimmerman/41589240/)

by Jeff Zimmerman (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdzimmerman/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2400/2434839485_c23c19b58f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clarkmackey/2434839485/)

by clarkmackey (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clarkmackey/)


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/2906283230_2af58f5f04_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashevillein/2906283230/)

by Bill in Ash Vegas (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashevillein/)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/208/459817289_59341aa084_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/externalfocus/459817289/)

by External Focus (http://www.flickr.com/photos/externalfocus/)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/238/459808038_2a5a56cd1d_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/externalfocus/459808038/)

by External Focus (http://www.flickr.com/photos/externalfocus/)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/182/422716700_8ddf67e55d_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zen/422716700/)

by zen (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zen/)

7/10

Good looking city!

8 - lovely looking place :)

Very cute and nice setting. 6/10

7/10

7,5/10

Asheville has such a wonderful setting and fantastic architecture!!! I have always loved art deco. 9.5/10

6/10 the mountains are more beautiful than the buildings ...sorry.

8. Good. Regards.

7/10

7/10

7/10

6/10

Vote 6.5/10

http://s53.radikal.ru/i140/1001/7d/6ded124410b8.jpg
http://s51.radikal.ru/i133/1001/b2/86c0307c83ee.jpg

7/10

7/10

5/10

5 out 10 .....................ok :)

6/10

8/10

7/10

4/10

Very nice city! 9/10

4.5/10

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5266/5600577231_229fbf300f_z.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/throwster/5600577231/

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2711/4153455484_9a8e4ba62a.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dplunkett/4153455484/sizes/m/in/photostream/

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2666/4152692307_fcd27152d0.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dplunkett/4152692307/sizes/m/in/photostream/

7.5/10
nice mid-size city.