Historic & Artistic Apt
Journey into the Asheville art world. Cloak yourself in the greatest of downtown. Sleep surrounded by the city’s history and architectural heritage circa 1905.
This is Asheville legacy, a private downtown haven, the art gallery you can live in. This is your retreat with a private patio (an additional 300 SF), and free parking.
This is an architectural gem of original stone walls, seamless indoor/outdoor living, & modern designer details.
Locally Managed
There’s nothing like having a local in your back pocket. Unless, it’s having an on-call local in your back pocket! From our favorite no-signage spots to late-night emergencies, our 100% local service delivers both a great experience and peace of mind.
Fast, Local Service
Customer service is the cornerstone of our business. We know it begins with your very first email and doesn’t stop until you’ve checked out, a smile on your face.
So, here’s our promise: You’re our priority. We want you to have a fantastic time in Asheville and at Cobalt Corner. That’s why we’re 100% local – just minutes away, should the need arise! – and almost always available. We respond to any request within 3 hours (and usually, much sooner). We promise, we won’t leave you hanging.
And that means, no vacation rental nightmares. If you’re locked out, we’re there! If the washing machine breaks down mid-wash, we’re there! Or, if you’re just desperate for a restaurant recommendation, we’re also there. Just a call away, whenever you need us.
Bottom line: We know that the details – the big and small details – are what count. They can make or break your vacation. So, we’re committed. Committed to you and your Asheville experience. (Reviews don’t lie!)
We look forward to welcoming you to Asheville!
Wanderings through historic downtown Asheville are filled with promise – of days past and attractions present, foodie wonderlands and cultural warrens.
Because, vacation is a special time. These are the few weeks per year that don’t demand compromise, don’t force you to swap This for That, don’t make you choose. You can have everything.
And everything you will have, at Cobalt Corner: a slice of Asheville history, an in-the-heart-of-it-all kind of place, where you can walk out to the intersection and see The Orange Peel and the Wicked Weed Brewery, Mamacita’s and LaZoom Tours. Here’s what awaits:
Dining & Drinking: Asheville is a gastronome’s dream destination – there’s a reason Livability named us a Top 10 Foodie City! – and from Cobalt Corner, you’re just minutes to much of your must-eat list, including City Bakery, Mamacita's Taqueria, Double D's Coffee & Desserts, White Duck Taco Shop, and Rhubarb, among others. Thirsty not hungry? Walk on down to Wicked Weed Brewing, Green Man Brewing, Storm Rhum Bar, and Burial Brewery. And, don’t forget, French Broad Food Co-op fills your shopping bags with groceries and other essentials!
South Slope District: Historically the automotive district, the South Slope – walking distance from your front door! – today is known for its bars and restaurants, including Buxton Hall BBQ, Chemist Spirits Distillery, and many breweries.
Entertainment: Catch a show at The Orange Peel, tickle your funny bone on LaZoom Comedy Bus Tours, browse contemporary art at Blue Spiral Gallery, stay cultured at the Fine Arts Theatre, and tap into performance at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts.
Urban Trail Art Tour: Art lovers delight in Asheville’s Urban Trail, a 1.7-mile walking tour home to 30+ stops at creative landmarks, public sculptures, dioramas, and more.
Festivals: From Downtown After Five (once a month, in summer) and the Lexington Avenue Arts Fest, to Drum Circle and Art in the Park, downtown Asheville, Lexington Avenue, and the River Arts District are ripe with arts, culture, and creative pursuits.
The apartment is used only by guests and the gated entrance is private and not shared by other building tenants. The patio is private. The metal and iron gate, it is kept closed by a small magnet. Close the gate gently in order for magnet to engage. If closed briskly, the gate bounces and magnet is not strong enough to keep gate closed. When gate is closed it makes stairs seem more private.
Cobalt Corner is your happy place. Quiet (especially for the city). Historic. Central. And the very essence of old Asheville, made new for modern travelers.
Welcome!
Highlights (more details, below)
Unbeatable Downtown Location
Don’t come all the way to Asheville, only to stay on the outskirts! Cobalt Corner is located in south downtown, within view (closest intersection) of the Orange Peel, French Broad Co-op, LaZoom Tours, Wicked, Weed Brewery, Mamacita’s and City Bakery. Walk score: 84 – Very Walkable!
Historic Cachet, Modern Charm
If America is young, then Asheville is younger. Construction on the Biltmore Estate began in 1889. Just 16 years later, the same architect built 130 Biltmore Ave.
Conceived and created by the Biltmore’s resident architect, Richard Sharp Smith, our building represented a new and modern concept in apartment living. Instead of the boarding houses so common to the day, Sharp Smith constructed a solid stone building, with proper sound insulation, then-modern amenities, and full apartments.
In 1905 – side note: this is some of downtown Asheville’s oldest remaining architecture – Richard Sharp Smith, renowned resident architect of the Biltmore Estate, also built 130 Biltmore Ave., a then-new model in apartment living. Cobalt Corner now resides on the lowest level of Sharp Smith’s revolutionary concept.
Live-In Art Gallery
The owner of Cobalt Corner is a lifelong artist and his eye – and flare – can be seen in every detail, from the sculpted welcome gate (by local sculptor and metal artist John Payne) and world décor, to the bottle-cap rug and eclectic art that adorns almost every surface and wall.
Abundant Amenities
From a 50-inch TV and powerful speakers in the living room to heated bathroom tile, a full size washer/dryer, dishwasher, and options for secure bike storage (with accessible garden hose, to wash off the mud!), Cobalt Corner offers thought-of-all-the-details amenities that you don’t often find in downtown.
(NOTE: Air-conditioning is delivered via a splitter/wall unit, while heat comes via both the splitter/wall unit and baseboards.)
Privacy
A rarity in downtown, Cobalt Corner offers a revolutionary kind of privacy – literally. Unlike most historic Asheville buildings, which were converted to apartments, 130 Biltmore Ave. was one of the first buildings in Asheville to be built for apartment living. That means excellent sound insulation, private everything, and your own outdoor space.
Easy Free Parking
You don’t need a car at Cobalt Corner but if you bring one, you’ll be happy to know that you’ll have private, paved parking.
Fast WiFi
Go on, upload that Asheville selfie! With fast WiFi, you’re as connected as you want to be.
Stair-less Entry
Mobility challenges? Don’t want to climb stairs? No problem! The home is on one level and, while the front entrance leads down a stone staircase, the alley/parking entrance requires no stairs to enter Cobalt Corner.
Cobalt Corner sits on the lowest floor of this once-novel concept: A walkout apartment with a day-lit ground level, centenarian stone walls, a private patio, and plenty of privacy. By design, not redesign.
Stay at the crossroads of old Asheville and new convenience.
Private Outdoor Patio
Claim your own little slice of Asheville charm. At Cobalt Corner, in addition to silence inside – thank you, Richard Sharp Smith, for designing a building meant for apartment living! – you’ll also have a private outdoor patio, complete with retro-style bistro seating and a goldfish pond. Plus, there’s a hose to clean your bike and secure bike storage!
Easy Parking
When it comes to parking, we could just as easily call Cobalt Corner “Easy Street:” parking here is simple! And that’s exactly how it should be, when you’re on vacation.
You don’t need a car to enjoy downtown Asheville (our walk score: 84!), but if you bring one, you’ll have your own private, paved parking.
Free off street parking immediately next to apartment for two vehicles. Easily walk everywhere, near multiple Asheville bus transit stops, or taxi, uber, lyft to anywhere.