ASHEVILLE (January 24, 2022) — Hatteras Sky, a commercial real estate development firm, has broken ground on an adaptive re-use hotel involving the renovation of three historic homes prominently perched atop a knoll on Biltmore Avenue in Asheville’s South Slope neighborhood. Expected to open in 2023, the 20-room hotel, known as Zelda Dearest, will debut the company’s Fitzgerald Estate hotel portfolio and pay homage to the author, artist and icon Zelda Fitzgerald and her husband, author F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Fitzgeralds, particularly Zelda, had a special relationship with Asheville. Having vacationed, lived and – in Zelda’s case – died tragically there, the Fitzgeralds left their mark on a city already enamored with their literary works, legendary personalities and well-documented adventures.
The hotel’s interior, designed by Nashville-based Anderson Design Studio, will be inspired by the timeless elegance associated with the Fitzgeralds’ lives and literary works. “The Zelda Dearest project is our love letter to Zelda and a celebration of her unique connection to Asheville. The Fitzgeralds never owned a home – they often lived in hotels. We’ve worked hard and in coordination with the Fitzgerald Estate to design a hotel and program that capture the hotel experiences the Fitzgeralds wrote about in their works,” said Amy Kelly, founding partner and principal at Hatteras Sky. “We are also excited to restore these irreplaceable and ornate homes to their historic glory and activate a stretch of Biltmore Avenue that has been largely dormant for decades.” Plans for the site also include construction of outdoor spaces such as a patio for weddings and other events, a game lawn, gardens, fire pits and onsite visitor parking. Morris Bank of Dublin, Georgia is providing the construction financing for the project.
To bring the project to life, Hatteras Sky has assembled an award-winning team of talented and highly qualified professionals from Asheville, including Asheville’s Rowhouse Architects, Griffin Builders, and CDC Engineering. The food and beverage operations and onsite catering will be overseen by James Beard award semi-finalist chef and Asheville local Jacob Sessoms. Nationally recognized boutique hotel group, Lark Hotels, will oversee the day-to-day hotel management and operations. Well known for operating high-end properties like Blind Tiger in Portland, Maine, the company specializes in connecting the hotel experience to local culture and provides modern luxury in the heart of iconic and historic destinations. In partnership with Lark Hotels, Zelda Dearest will provide a transcendent experience for its guests and visitors.
Zelda Dearest is just one of Hatteras Sky’s planned historic redevelopments in Asheville, with additional projects slated for Downtown and the River Arts District.
ABOUT HATTERAS SKY
Hatteras Sky is a commercial real estate firm focused on multifamily and hospitality development in high-growth American markets. In addition to ground-up new construction developments, we renovate, restore, and reactivate our historic buildings. We pride ourselves on our ability to identify unique opportunities that deliver long-term value to our team, our investors, and the communities we serve. While maintaining an entrepreneurial approach, we strive to adhere to the highest standards of integrity, quality, and partnership. We aim to create structures and communities that will be useful, beautiful, and strong for generations. For more information about the firm, its team, and additional projects, please visit the Hatteras Sky website.
ABOUT LARK HOTELS
Lark Hotels is a premium hotel development and management company with a portfolio of 30+ branded boutique hotels on the East Coast and California. Launched in 2012, Lark Hotels operates boutique properties in high-profile destinations and celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2022. Lark properties embrace the locations they are in but in playful, unexpected ways. Each Lark Hotel invites guests to experience intimate getaways in the heart of an iconic destination, feel the pull of nostalgia and find attentive service when they want it and privacy when they don’t. In 2020, Lark Hotels launched a third-party management division focused on the management and marketing of independent hotels throughout the United States. In 2021, Lark Hotels introduced Bluebird by Lark, a sister collection of boutique roadside lodges—reimagined for the great American road trip. For more information on Lark Hotels, visit larkhotels.com.
Zelda Dearest Hotel project team. Photo: Asheville A.V. Club
Learn More about Hatteras Sky’s hotel developments across the country HERE.