While visiting the quirky yet charming city of Asheville, we stumbled upon the neighborhood of Montford. We were searching for a Caribbean restaurant that a local had recommended, but once we caught a glimpse of some of the amazing homes, we were quickly distracted and decided to take ourselves on a self-guided walking tour...
Montford is a short walk from downtown Asheville; a neighborhood filled with grand Victorian homes, a slew of B&B's, and cute bungalows. While the most recognizable architecture style is Victorian, we also saw influences from a variety of progressive styles. From the corner towers and lavish ornamental details of the eccentric Queen Anne style - to the shingle walls and gambrel roofs of Colonial Revival. Going further into this eclectic neighborhood, you will also find Neoclassical apartment buildings, cottages, healing centers, and yes - a Caribbean restaurant! Much of Montford is also included in the National Register of Historic Places.
If you happen to find yourself in Asheville, I highly recommend walking the streets of Montford or perhaps spending the night at one of the gorgeous B&B's. And in case anyone is looking to relocate, the house pictured in the third photograph is for sale!
(Image: Kimberly Watson)
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
They are amazing. Rich with detail, interest and nostalgia... Does AT ever run Exterior competitions, I wonder? Shame about the fifth one along though. The occupants must be right slobs, I mean, just LOOK at the size of those cobwebs!
view AcrossThePond's profile
I want the 4th, pink, one! i will sit on the third floor balcony sipping spiked coffee in my bathrobe.
view NorNor's profile
Some beauties here. The one for sale is listed at a reduced price of $449,000.
view mirandabee's profile
I used to live in Asheville and looked at apartments in Montford - a lot of those old homes have been carved up into flats (and in some very interesting configurations).
view Erin K.'s profile
I just posted on Asheville this week as well! The whole place was amazing but we loved Montford ...someday, maybe.
view wideopenspaces's profile
I lived near there about a year ago and it was gorgeous!
view lunaysol's profile
I could live in Asheville has just the right amount of everything. These are gorgeous!
view LoriSF's profile
I live in Asheville, and always enjoy driving through Montford (as well as my own beautiful neighborhood of Grove Park). Oh, and I hope you finally made it to Nine Mile-- it's fabulous!
view Abra_cat's profile
I lived in Asheville up until a couple of months ago. So weird to see a house that I recognize up on Apartment Therapy! I lived in an old, somewhat dilapidated Victorian house that was carved into apartments.
view sarahisaghost's profile
Oh, and @Abra_cat, maybe the restaurant was Salsa's? It's partly Caribbean and somewhat near Montford.
view sarahisaghost's profile
Hey All -
Yes, Asheville is fun and super friendly; quirky while full of culture. A definite livable town. Abra_cat - yup it was Nine Mile... excellent. And sarahisaghost - we also ate at Salsa's... seriously phenomenal food. Actually, Asheville is a food mecca... I think it is hard to go wrong there!
Kimber AT: DC
view KimberM's profile
KimberM, did you go into that enormous antique store downtown--Lexington Park Antiques?
view sarahisaghost's profile
sarahisaghost - No! How did I miss this?
view KimberM's profile
WNC antique mall in the Biltmore village is AMAZING! It is in an old tobacco warehouse. I could spend hours in there.
Nine Mile is also one of favorite restaurants:) I love living in Asheville.
view danasays's profile