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The Kress Building Condo Guide
Built in 1928 based on Samuel Henry Kress's artistic vision, these condominiums occupy the 2nd-5th floor of the building on top of a gallery comprised of work from local artists and a unique home furniture retail space. Mr. Kress, under the trade name S.H. Kress & Co., established the infamous chain of "five and dime" retail department stores in cities across the United States. The Kress building itself is still considered an architectural landmark designed by E.J.T. Hoffman and features brilliant floral rosettes and terra cotta tile designs giving it that art deco feel.
21 residential units have been artfully renovated in 2000 and completed in January 2002. These units retain some marvelously elegant architectural touches. They range in size from 600 square-foot studios to 1400 square foot 2 story units. They all have refurbished wood floors, high ceilings, and stainless steel appliances. All unit owners have access to the recently renovated roof-top deck where you can enjoy your morning coffee or an evening open-air dinner all while enjoying the North Carolina skies.
There is access to a well-equipped fitness center and rooftop terrace via elevator with a breath-taking view of the Asheville skyline and the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains.
These condominiums, like the small city of Asheville, are pet-friendly and have an established pet policy.
Owners enjoy extra storage in the basement of the Kress Building. Storage spaces consist of secure fenced cubicles.
The Kress Building is on the National Registry of Historic Places with owners may qualify for a historic tax exemption up to a 50% exclusion.
Although there is no parking on-site, several parking garages are close by to purchase monthly passes (Aloft or Rankin Garage). There is also meter parking. There is a little bit of space to park at the front of the building but you can't park there permanently (only for loading/unloading). Asheville has a bus system, and stops are conveniently located within walking distance. The lack of parking is one reason why condo units in there experience above average market statistics in terms of days on market. But you are conveniently located in Downtown Asheville with wonderful views of the surround
Since the Kress building is located in the center of downtown Asheville, the availability of things to do is extensive. The building itself is within walking distance to the library, Harrah's Cherokee Center and Thomas Wolfe Center, breweries, and several restaurants, including winners of the 2020 Traveler's Choice Restaurants. If you happen to be a grandparent, you could take your grandchild to the hands-on Science Museum nearby.
Pack Square is within walking distance and hosts many festivals, including Shindig on the Green, Folkmoot International Dance and Musical Fest, Leaf Downtown, Asheville Arts Fringe, and Blue Ridge Pride Festival. The Asheville Pinball Museum and Basilica of Saint Lawrence are located just a few blocks away. Or, if you want to experience Asheville's uniqueness, take a class with Skinny Beats Drum Shop downtown and join in on the Asheville Drum Circle early every Friday evening from April to October.
Building Amenities
The Kress Building features:
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Standard Appointments in Units
Below are some of the standard appointments, with some units being substantially upgraded at the time of construction or after.
HOA fees are approximately 438.00 a month, which cover a variety of services.
Parking for unit owners at the Kress is available across the street at the Rankin Parking Deck and Civic Center. The building's main elevator was completely rebuilt in 2020. The roof of the Kress Building was replaced in 2020. Recently, HOA management has advised of the need to refurbish the exterior walls & terra cotta, though the timing of the work has not yet been determined and there has not been a formal assessment to pay for the work.
The Kress Building is on the National Registry of Historic Places with owners may qualify for a historic tax exemption up to a 50% exclusion.
Guide to Asheville Condos in Easy-To-Read PDF Format
Get the full 40-page Guide To Asheville Condos in an easy-to-read format. Save to your desktop or read on your mobile device!
Points of Interest
Downtown Asheville boasts a long list of renowned eateries and bars, with several very close to the Kress Building condos.
Strada Italiano
Located 0.1 miles from 60 North Market, Strada Italiano is the go-to restaurant for all lovers of regional Italian cuisine in downtown Asheville. With low lighting, rooftop dining, and the aromas of freshly-baked bread, Strada Italiano is the ideal setting for a romantic dinner date. Diners also get to enjoy carefully curated wines, local beers, and craft cocktails.
Tip: Strada Italiano serves huge entrees and you should consider sharing some of these orders.
What to order: Ask for the Portofino if you’re partial to spicy foods. Their cheesecake is arguably the best dessert item on their menu.
27 Broadway Asheville, NC, 2880 https://www.stradaasheville.com/
Mela Indian Restaurant
Mela Indian Restaurant offers authentic traditional Indian dishes as well as Halal and vegetarian options. And it’s only 0.2 miles from 60 North Market. Mela is famous for its spectacular lunch buffets, tandoori dishes, and open, modern dining space.
Tip: The portions served at Mela are typically quite large and spicy. In case you are unable to finish your meal, order a cup of rice to go with your leftovers to get two meals out of your order.
What to Order: One of the star dishes on their menu is the Lamb Vindaloo. It’s served along with a mini crockpot of potatoes and lamb in a fiery red sauce. Although it comes with a side of basmati rice, you might want to try out the garlic naan,
70 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 https://www.melaasheville.com/
Brasilia Churrasco Steakhouse
A mere 495 ft from 60 North Market, Brasilia Churrasco is a “Churrascaria” (steakhouse) that offers Asheville’s meat lovers a relaxed dining environment. Its all-you-can meals comprise up to sixteen different types of Brazilian grilled meats. Brasilia Churrasco also features a complete salad bar made up of more than 30 locally sourced items.
Tip: This place has extremely attentive and friendly staff. Don’t shy away from asking the gauchos any questions when they come over to your table to slice your meats.
What to Order: An overwhelming crowd-pleaser among Downtown Asheville locals is the house special “picanha” which is a cut of beef that comes from the rump cap muscle.
26 E Walnut St, Asheville, NC 28801 https://brasiliasteakhouse.com/
Wall Street
As the name suggests, this isn’t any single building but an entire street. With its distinct European aesthetic, Wall Street provides residents and tourists alike with an exciting taste of Asheville’s unique art and culture. It features countless musicians, artists, craftsmen, and merchants in outdoor and indoor stores. Wall Street is also home to prominent eateries like The Market Place, Early Girl Eatery, and the historic, wedge-shaped Flat Iron Building.
Benjamin Walls Gallery
Benjamin Walls is not only an internationally acclaimed artist and contemporary renaissance man but also a successful entrepreneur and keen environmentalist. His work has won seven international awards and has been displayed twice at the Natural History Museum of London. Benjamin is also a five-time Smithsonian exhibitor.
38 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801 https://www.benjaminwalls.com/asheville-art-gallery/
Hunter and Coggins Clothing Company
Located across from Thomas Wolfe Plaza on 28 North Spruce Street, Hunter and Coggins Clothing Company is a local men’s clothing store. They carry a wide assortment of men’s apparel from ties, to school uniforms, to needlepoint accessories and any other wardrobe-essentials. Berle, Corbin, Pantherella, and Trafalgar are just a few of the quality menswear brands you can find at Hunter and Coggins Clothing Company.
28 N Spruce St, Asheville, NC 28801 https://hunterandcoggins.com/
In the Press
Great insights about the building, development, and history.
On May 19, 2014, an article was written in the Asheville-Citizen Times by Carol Motsinger, covering the colorful story-laden mural created by Barbara Read that she placed in the residential lobby of the Kress Building.
Because the Kress Building itself is a historic landmark whose developer, Samuel Kress, wanted his buildings to be a tribute to art, it seemed only fitting that the mural created would convey this message. This wall painting is also a story of two friends and their mutual love of beauty and art. One was the artist herself, and one was her close friend, Sally Cochran, who was an avid lover of the arts and resided in one of the condominiums in the Kress Building. It was agreed by both friends and all the other residents that lived in the building that, "We wanted something (in the residential lobby)," as Ms. Cochran emphasized, "to represent Asheville and all its beauty."
The mural includes not only the peaks of surrounding mountains but also includes the purple LaZoom tour bus, a rendering of the stone griffin from the nearby historic Grove Arcade, and some musicians serenading you on the guitar.
This mural seems to sum up the Asheville experience and has an appropriate place in the Kress Building.
