The Overlook Project

The Asheville Overlook Project

Welcome to The Overlook Project, a visionary initiative aimed at transforming the Chamber grounds and Visitor Center into a vibrant and welcoming space that truly embodies the spirit of Asheville. Our mission is to create a place that reflects the essence of our community and serves as a hub for connection, inspiration, and pride for both residents and visitors alike.

The Asheville Chamber of Commerce embarked on this exciting journey with a fundamental shift in policy regarding the use of reserve funds. We recognize that our role extends beyond immediate needs to embrace the endless possibilities of what could be achieved.

Join us in making The Asheville Overlook Project a reality and help us create a space that truly represents our vibrant and dynamic community. Together, we are more. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are Asheville.

Vision

Our journey began with landscape architects from Sitework Studios collaborating with design professionals, key partners, and Chamber staff to create a master plan for the renovated grounds. This plan is rooted in Asheville’s authenticity, emphasizing art, creativity, the natural landscape, unique cuisine, culture, and sustainability.

We see boundless opportunities in front of us:

Community Hub: Our vision is to position the Chamber as a central player in all industries and the community. We take pride in our unique role as the organization that considers the broader economy, the future, and our community’s economic resilience.

Symbolic Improvements: The project offers a platform to showcase our commitment to important principles such as sustainability. We plan to integrate features like rain gardens and solar panels to symbolize our dedication to a greener future.

Diversification of Income: We aim to expand our revenue sources by offering spaces for rent, co-working areas, and meeting spaces. This initiative will further integrate the community into our Chamber.

Get Involved

The fundraising challenge for the Asheville Overlook Project is driven by our tagline, “Together, We Are More.” To achieve our goal, we are actively seeking partnerships and support from local businesses, strategic partners, family philanthropies, and community organizations. These supporters can contribute in cash or in-kind donations and gain naming rights and sponsorships for specific areas of the project.

Areas for Support

We invite you to join us in building this vision by supporting various aspects of the project, including:

Café Setting: Encourage lingering and enjoyment of local food and beverages in a welcoming café setting.

Mountain-Inspired Shade: Provide shade with a custom canopy that mimics our beloved mountain skyline.

Boulder Seating: Create seating areas that connect us to the surrounding mountains.

Asheville Overlook: Develop a stunning overlook perfect for selfies, featuring a bronze map of Asheville and its surroundings.

River-Inspired Hardscape: Incorporate hardscape and paving patterns representing local rivers and municipalities.

Sculpture: Install sculptures symbolizing elements of Asheville and Western North Carolina.

Rain Gardens: Implement rain gardens with native vegetation, promoting environmental sustainability through stormwater capture.

Event Lawn: Create a versatile event lawn from pervious synthetic grass for various activities and demonstrations.

Event Stage: Build an event stage for presentations and creative sector showcases.

Gateway: Craft an aesthetically pleasing entrance capturing the spirit of Asheville, perfect for social media moments.

“Twig” Benches: Introduce moveable, linear seating pieces that provide both seating and spaces for collaboration and reflection.

Want to offer your services or make a donation? Please contact Desiree Monstrola at dmonstrola@ashevillechamber.org!

The Asheville Overlook Project

Vision

Get Involved

Diana Blackett