Historic Preservation Services
The history of Altura Architects begins with preservation and rehabilitation projects, as well as civic leadership promoting preservation. We have a 35+ year history of revitalization projects in Asheville and the surrounding area, including residences, retail, offices and galleries.
Preserving architectural history can present many challenges. Most projects require careful research into the structure and its former uses. Preservation societies and other regulatory boards offer guidance and limitations to how these buildings can be used – this presents an opportunity to be creative and thoughtful in order to achieve the vision for the space.
Featured Downtown Asheville Projects
Our studio has worked on over thirty downtown renovation projects, many of which were historic preservation projects. We have received seventeen Griffin Awards for preservation from the Preservation Society of Asheville & Buncombe County.
This building is located at 67 Broadway Street and has been a distinctive form in the streetscape since it was built in 1912. The first image was taken in the 1960s and the second, taken after recent renovations were complete, still celebrates the original facade. This project won a PSABC Griffin Award in 2020.
Located at 38 Biltmore Avenue, this preservation project entailed a full interior renovation and meticulous rehabilitation of the beautiful 1920s storefront building. This project won a PSABC Griffin Award in 1991.
This 1920s on Biltmore Avenue got a major overhaul, including restoration of the building’s shell. After stabalizing the exterior, we renovated the interior into a restaurant, several retail and office spaces, and private apartments on the upper level.
