Manor and Cottages

Manor and Cottages is a historic resort complex in the Albemarle Park neighborhood of Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina. The property developed from the late nineteenth century as a combined hotel and cottage retreat, with construction beginning in 1898. Its central building, known as The Manor, was begun in 1898–1899 and developed as an extensive interconnected structure rather than a single compact hotel block. The architecture incorporates elements associated with Colonial Revival, Shingle Style, and Tudor Revival design, reflecting the picturesque resort architecture popular in the period. The complex expanded in stages. Additional wings were added to The Manor in 1903 and again in 1913–1914. The grounds also included a Club House dating from approximately 1903 and 19 guest cottages constructed between 1899 and 1920. Together, these buildings formed a substantial resort environment rather than merely a standalone lodging property. The cottages provided a complementary accommodation format, while the main hotel and Club House supplied the central social and service facilities associated with a resort community. Manor and Cottages is significant primarily as a surviving historic architectural and resort complex. Its importance is tied to the development of Asheville as a destination and to the preservation of a large collection of late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century buildings. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, recognizing the complex as a historic district with 36 contributing buildings. The property's later use diverged from its original hospitality role. The hotel was converted into a retirement hotel serving older people with limited incomes, giving the complex a socially oriented residential function while retaining its historic buildings. It is currently used as an apartment complex operated by Leslie and Associates. Accordingly, Manor and Cottages is best understood today as a historic place and former resort property whose name identifies an architectural complex rather than a contemporary consumer brand with a broad product portfolio, public company structure, or international market presence.

Manor and Cottages developed in Asheville's Albemarle Park neighborhood as a resort complex beginning in 1898. Its principal structure, The Manor, was started in 1898–1899. Rather than being designed as a simple rectangular hotel, the building grew as a rambling series of connected wings. Its architectural character combines Colonial Revival, Shingle Style, and Tudor Revival influences, producing the picturesque and eclectic appearance associated with many period resort properties. The complex expanded over the following two decades. A Club House was added around 1903, and The Manor received further wings in 1903 and in 1913–1914. Nineteen guest cottages were constructed between 1899 and 1920. These buildings formed an integrated resort setting, with the hotel, club facilities, and detached cottages operating as components of one property. In total, 36 buildings were later identified as contributing resources within the historic district. The resort belongs to the broader history of Asheville's growth as a destination in western North Carolina. Its scale and collection of buildings reflect a period when resort developments were often planned as complete environments, combining lodging, communal facilities, and landscaped residential accommodations. The surviving structures provide evidence of changing approaches to hospitality architecture and of the city's early twentieth-century resort economy. After its resort use, the hotel was adapted as a retirement hotel for elderly people with limited incomes. This conversion changed the property's social and operational purpose while allowing the principal building to remain in use. The complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, formalizing its importance as a historic district and documenting its 36 contributing buildings. In its current reported use, the property functions as an apartment complex operated by Leslie and Associates. The present residential role means that Manor and Cottages is no longer primarily a conventional hotel or resort brand. Its continuing identity rests on the historic complex, its architecture, its association with Asheville's resort history, and the adaptive reuse of its buildings.

• 1978

  National Register recognition

  [1]Manor and Cottagesen.wikipedia.org

  Manor and Cottages is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district containing 36 contributing buildings.

• 1920

  Cottage development completed

  [1]Manor and Cottagesen.wikipedia.org

  The documented period of guest-cottage construction concludes, with 19 cottages built between 1899 and 1920.

• 1913

  Later Manor expansion

  [1]Manor and Cottagesen.wikipedia.org

  A further expansion phase begins in 1913 and continues into 1914, adding more wings to the main hotel.

• 1903

  First major expansion

  [1]Manor and Cottagesen.wikipedia.org

  The Manor receives an additional wing, and the complex's Club House is constructed around this time.

• 1899

  The Manor is established

  [1]Manor and Cottagesen.wikipedia.org

  The principal hotel building, The Manor, is begun in 1898–1899, and construction of the guest-cottage group also starts during this period.

• 1898

  Construction begins

  [1]Manor and Cottagesen.wikipedia.org

  Development of the Manor and Cottages resort complex begins in Asheville's Albemarle Park neighborhood.

• Adaptive reuse as residential property

  [1]Manor and Cottagesen.wikipedia.org

  The former hotel is converted first for retirement living and is currently used as an apartment complex operated by Leslie and Associates.

A historic Asheville resort complex and architectural landmark, later adapted for retirement and apartment living.

• Hotel building · 1898

  The Manor

  The Manor is the principal building of the complex. Begun in 1898–1899, it developed into a rambling group of interconnected wings rather than a single compact hotel block. Its design combines Colonial Revival, Shingle Style, and Tudor Revival elements. Wings were added in 1903 and again in 1913–1914. The building later served as a retirement hotel and is now part of the apartment complex operated by Leslie and Associates.

• Resort accommodation · 1899

  Guest cottages

  The property includes 19 guest cottages constructed between 1899 and 1920. They formed the detached lodging component of the resort, complementing The Manor and helping create a campus-like hospitality environment. The cottages are part of the historic district's documented contributing resources.

• Resort amenity · 1903

  Club House

  The Club House, dating from approximately 1903, was a contributing component of the resort complex. It provided a communal facility within the broader group of hotel, cottage, and support buildings that made up Manor and Cottages.

• Conversion from hospitality use to residential accommodationStrategy

  Background

  The former resort hotel was later adapted for use as a retirement hotel serving elderly people with limited incomes, and the property is currently used as an apartment complex.

  Action taken

  The complex was repurposed from conventional resort and hotel use into residential and retirement accommodation.

  Aftermath

  Adaptive reuse allowed the historic buildings to remain occupied and functioning, while the property's primary role shifted away from tourism.

  Source

• 1978

  Manor and Cottages listed on the National Register of Historic Places[1]Manor and Cottagesen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The Manor and Cottages complex was recognized as a national historic district, with 36 contributing buildings included in the listing.

1. 1Manor and Cottagesen.wikipedia.org