Flora Sorrell Boarding House Will Become Hotel

A historic Asheville building is set to reopen as a 10-room boutique hotel by fall 2027.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Hotels

Flora Sorrell Boarding House Will Become Hotel

Live Poll

Does replacing historic, affordable shared housing with boutique hotels benefit your community's long-term character?

GBX Group will convert the historic Flora Sorrell Boarding House at 100 Biltmore Ave. into a boutique hotel. The renovation project is expected to reach completion by fall 2027.

Why it matters

Developers intend to fill a local niche for suite-oriented accommodations within the historic 115-year-old structure. The project will restore the exterior while modernizing the interior to provide private facilities.

The 115-year-old building will feature a 10-room layout consisting of three studio rooms, five one-bedroom units, and two two-bedroom suites. Nightly rates for these units are projected to range from $150 to $300.

The players

GBX Group

This Cleveland-based real estate firm has completed 22 development projects throughout Asheville.

Buchanan Construction

This construction firm is partnering with the developers to renovate the historic property.

Carleton Collins Architecture

This architecture firm is collaborating on the restoration and interior redesign of the building.

The details

The development team is partnering with Buchanan Construction and Carleton Collins Architecture to clean and restore the stone and brick exterior. Renovations will modernize the interior by replacing the building's previous shared bathroom setup with private bathrooms for every guest room.

The structure at 100 Biltmore Ave. was originally built in 1911.
The building was featured as an example of unsubsidized affordable apartments in 2020.
The completed boutique hotel is expected to open in fall 2027.

Travel Outlook

This project follows the broader trend of converting historic boarding houses into boutique hotels in downtown Asheville. The renovation reflects the city's strategy of repurposing legacy structures to meet modern tourism demands while preserving local architectural heritage.

Travelers planning trips to Asheville for fall 2027 can anticipate the addition of 10 new suite-oriented units at this downtown location. Nightly rates are expected to start at $150, offering a mid-range pricing option compared to other boutique properties in the district.

The takeaway

Historic preservation projects can effectively repurpose aging urban infrastructure to meet modern visitor needs. Travelers looking for unique lodging should watch for reservation announcements as the project nears completion.