Hotel Indigo will open on schedule!

An update from Dennis Goodwin with Hospitality Lodging Investors:

New photos were added to our photo gallery (http://valcour.com/IndigoConstructionPhotos.htm) today.  These were taken on Monday.  You’ll note all the activity going on at the site.  The stone and granite at the courtyard fountain, great looking ceilings and millwork, the parking deck is almost completed, painting, carpet, concrete staining, tile ….etc…etc…etc…

In July we formed a new entity, The Suites at 151, LLC, its specific purpose, to purchase 5 of the 6 condos located on the 10th & 11th floors of our new Asheville project.  They will be rented out by the hotel management to individuals and corporations using a new dedicated web site which is now up and running.  M&T Bank provided the mortgage financing (closed last week) and equity was provided by individual investors, most of which are partners in the original hotel partnership.  Currently 70% of the equity requirements have been funded.  If you have an interest in learning more about this opportunity, send us a message and we will give you a call. Dennis@HLIHotels.com

Lastly, if you have not checked out the new web site for The Residences at 151 (the real estate sales site) have a look.  This site has been completely reworked and mirrors the Suites at 151 site.  Soon a 3rd site will be added for the Hotel Indigo.  Also check out the Asheville article in the USAir Magazine.  (See the 3rd page for our ad.)

I could go on and on, but suffice it to say, there’s not a lot of grass growing under our feet.  It’s a busy time, and we’re thankful for that! 

Almost forgot……….looks like opening will be November 3rd!

Update on 151

I got an update from the developer late last week. It sounds like things are proceeding along as scheduled!

“Jennifer – I wanted to send you a short note to bring you up-to-date with a few photos of our Asheville project.  We’re very busy now that the project is at a point where so many details are coming together at one time.  I can tell you that the excitement is building in the community as they await our opening.  On that note, we booked our first rooms last week!  You too can make a reservation – 828-239-0239

We’ve been in the process of contacting partners and interested parties regarding our new LLC, The Suites at 151, LLC which will purchase five of the condos on the 10th & 11th floors.  This is an exciting opportunity. If you have not been contacted and you would like more information, give us a call.  We hope to have this wrapped up by the beginning of September.”

I can’t wait for the grand opening. This hotel is going to be like nothing Asheville has ever offered!

Update on Hotel Indigo/Residences at 151

An update from the developers of Hotel Indigo – Asheville and The Residences at 151:

Last week was a busy one, with multiple trips to Asheville.   Monday and Tuesday were construction meetings, architect meetings, suppliers, you name it.  Then a drive back to York on Tuesday.  On Thursday I had the privilege of accompanying 6 of our great partners on a flight to Asheville for a whirlwind tour. New photos are posted for both trips. You’ll see some real progress. (http://www.valcour.com/IndigoConstructionPhotos.htm)

Partner’s Tour
On Thursday we arrived in Asheville at 10 AM and were picked up for a short 15 minute ride to the construction site where we toured the building starting from the top down.  Everyone was not crazy about the construction elevator mounted on the outside of the building, but we made it.  Taking in the views from the roof and the Penthouse level are worth the ride.  We toured the condos, and then made our way down to the 9th floor where the hotel rooms are being finished out.  We then viewed the various floors as we made our way to the lobby and public spaces on the 1st floor.

After the tour, we walked to Private Mountain Communities, our marketing partner located in the Grove Arcade and met with Harry Redfearn the founder.  This gave everyone a chance to ask questions and get a “real” feel for what is happening in the Asheville market.

After lunch we had a short tour of our Preview Center where everyone could view the hotel finishes and fixtures.  Following that, we met with Sharon Kelly, our interior designer at Calloway Johnson Moore & West, our architecture firm, were our partners could see what the finishes for the condos would be like and also how they would be furnished.

We then took a tour of the downtown area, looked at our competition, stopped by the Grove Park Inn and then took a drive through the grounds of the Biltmore Estate before heading back to the airport.

As several of our partners commented, “You really have to be here to understand what is going on, you just can’t get this from reading about Asheville.” I think everyone was duly impress with what they saw and experienced. It was a very worthwhile day for all.

New LLC is ready.
Many of you’ve been asking us about the new entity we’ve been creating for the rental of the condos, “The Suites at 151″, well it is now ready.  For those that had expressed an interest to us, we will be contacting you in the next week or so.

As a side note, we will be publishing and updating the web site for The Residences at 151, adding a web site for The Suites at 151 and an additional site for the Hotel Indigo-Asheville.  These should all be up by mid-August.  You can click here to preview the “preliminary landing page”. What will happen when these sites are ready, is you will have the ability to click on one of the entities, depending on where you want to go, real estate sales…..hotel reservations….. or the rental of a condo and you will be taken to a site for that specific purpose.  Look for them soon.

As always, please give us a call with any questions or comments you may have: 828-273-8057, Jennifer; 828-776-0656, Janice

Recovery may be just around the corner!

According to this excellent article, we may start feeling some relief from the recession as soon as the 1st quarter of 2010:

“Moody’s has come up with the next waves of states to start showing signs of recovery.

The second wave, expected to hit in the first quarter of 2010, includes a lot of southern states—and Dakotas. That group includes: Alabama, Georgia, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota and South Dakota.

This group had relatively minor recessions that affected cyclical industries like manufacturing, Gledhill said, and should be able turn those minor recessions into minor recoveries when the economy starts to turn.”

For the full article go to: http://www.cnbc.com/id/31086859

Preview Center Open During Bele Chere!

Although it can be very frustrating to navigate the throngs of visitors and locals enjoying the festivities at Bele Chere, be assured you can still get information on The Residences at 151 this weekend. The truth be told, even when our Preview Center at the Grove Arcade is not open, information is still easily obtainable:

1. Check out the website my151.com or theresidencesat151.com (same site, two easy to remember addresses) for in depth information, photos, documents and floor plans.

2. Call or text the condo experts, Jennifer Loeffler (828-273-8057) or Janice Southerland (828-776-0656) for a real live realtor ready to be of assistance to you.

3. Visit Private Mountain Communities downtown location on the outer perimeter of the Grove Arcade. Their trained staff has teamed up with our expert team to provide “extended office hours” at their location.  They are armed with the tool and information to help you.

Want a hard hat tour? Contact Jennifer or Janice today!

Asheville from an insiders point of view…

http://www.carolinaliving.com/cities/asheville.asp

“Imagine a pleasant-sized city of about 70,000 nestled mostly within a bowl created by two rivers among a ring of tree-covered, soft, bluish mountains, with scenic views at nearly every turn, a full yet temperate four seasons and easy access to mountain lifestyles in virtually every direction.

In North Carolina, at least, there is no imagination required to conjure up this kind of a mountain paradise. Just go to a map, find Buncombe County and, then, Asheville. It suits the description above quite well.”

The article continues on to share stories from many of those “transplants” like me, who have chosen to come to Asheville and why it has so captured our hearts.

Asheville on Good Morning America

Asheville was featured on Good Morning America recently. It is a great piece, mainly focusing on the art and charm of downtown and the Biltmore Estate. Some of the footage was taken from the condos at the Residences at 151.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Weekend/story?id=7946959&page=1

Hotel Indigo Asheville Sneak Peek!

Just received the “professional” photos from the photo shot of the Mock-Up room that took place back in March.  This will give you a great look at what Hotel Indigo-Asheville will be like when complete.  And yes….. they are on schedule to open the beginning of October.

They now have a full time Director of Sales and a General Manager on board.

Click here to go to the photo gallery and see all the Mock-Up room photos.

A 'practice' room is constructed for approval by the franchise.

Recent media praise for Asheville and real estate

Asheville featured on Good Morning America’s “Weekend Windows,” June 27-28.
Asheville, North Carolina will be in the national spotlight this weekend (June 27-28) on the popular Good Morning America segment, “Weekend Windows.” The feature, which will air either Saturday or Sunday morning, highlights the strength, popularity and cultural diversity of downtown Asheville, with its rich mix of business, restaurants, boutiques, curio shops, art galleries and music venues.

Recent Acclaim for Asheville – Asheville and the greater Western North Carolina region has proven to be a resilient market, even in this sluggish economy. In the past year, MSNBC listed Asheville as one of the nation’s “Top 10 Housing Markets,” and RelocateAmerica.com named it #1 among the “Best Places To Live In America.” Even more impressive is the fact that, since January, 860+ properties have been closed on in the greater Western North Carolina area.

A Buyer’s Market – As a telling article in the June issue of Raleigh Metro Magazine stated, now is the time to buy your vacation or dream home in the North Carolina Mountains: “Prices have dropped, interest rates are low and good deals can be found just about anywhere you look.” And where you look is critical.

NOAA’s downtown location to expand! More jobs to come to Asheville?

You may not know that the National Climate Data Center, a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (http://www.noaa.gov)has had a location in downtown Asheville for many years (http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/wdc/index.php).  It is now being expanded. The Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites will bring $32 million and perhaps as many as 100 scientific jobs – a boost to Asheville’s economy and the city’s quest to become a hub for jobs related to weather data collection, forecasting and research. For more information about jobs with NOAA in Asheville check out Indeed’s listings at http://www.indeed.com/q-Noaa-l-Asheville,-NC-jobs.html.