It would also include exhibit and rehearsal areas for the Asheville Art Museum, Colburn Mineral Museum, and the Asheville Symphony Orchestra.

The new facility would encompass the existing Auditorium and add an exhibition hall, a banquet hall, meeting rooms, and an arena for conventions, concerts, sports, and family show productions. On July 11, 1968, City Council approved plans for a new Asheville Civic Center Complex. The new Asheville Auditorium opened Januwith the Asheville Civic Center Music Association’s presentation of violinist Yehuda Menuhin.Īsheville Civic Center Complex: (1974-2010) Gudger, drew much of his inspiration from the Art Deco movement, and he included many of its motifs throughout the building, which earned the Auditorium the compliment of “being an example of one of the finest buildings of its type”.

The architect charged with this new design, Lindsey M. Described as “a City Auditorium in which to accommodate musical concerts, theatrical performances, social events, athletic contests of certain kinds, and a variety of conventions and conferences,” the new building was designed to cover 20,000 square feet and have a seating capacity of over 3,000 persons with a level floor capable of being converted to a ballroom. The new Asheville Auditorium was built following the Great Depression with the support of the local public and the federal Public Works Administration. The Auditorium stood abandoned until its demolition in 1937. In 1911 the City of Asheville assumed ownership and continued its operation until the building was condemned in 1931 as a potential safety hazard. Sadly the Auditorium burned to the ground at 4:15 am Saturday, October 24, 1903.įollowing the destruction of the former Auditorium, the building was partially rebuilt with funds from the insurance claim settlement. This “hall for accommodations of large assemblages” was built in 1902 and its initial performance was presented in May of that year. In the year 1900, a movement was started by the newly-organized Asheville Auditorium Company to secure a large gathering place for the Asheville area. With over 200 days of events and drawing over 225,000 people annually, HCCA continues to support the vitality of the region as a whole and the vibrant downtown of Asheville in particular.

HCCA is known as a quality venue that hosts a diverse variety of events that reflects the creativity, uniqueness, and artistry that Asheville is known for. Cellular Center Asheville and the Asheville Civic Center, has a long and interesting history which dates back over one hundred years. History Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville (HCCA), previously the U.S.

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