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Kenilworth Inn
Kenilworth Inn, Kenilworth, Asheville, NC (32767797198).jpg
Kenilworth Inn, January 2019
Kenilworth Inn is located in North Carolina
Kenilworth Inn
Location in North Carolina
Kenilworth Inn is located in the United States
Kenilworth Inn
Location in the United States
Location 60 Caledonia Rd., Asheville, North Carolina
Built 1918
Architect Ronald Greene; Carolina Wood Products
Architectural style Tudor Revival
NRHP reference No. 01001423
Added to NRHP December 31, 2001

The Kenilworth Inn is a large, historic building in Asheville, North Carolina. It was built in 1918 and looks like a grand old English mansion. This style is called Tudor Revival, which means it copies the look of buildings from the Tudor period in England.

Over the years, this building has had many different jobs. It was first planned as a fancy hotel, but it quickly became a hospital. Later, it served as a mental hospital and then a regular hotel again. Today, it is an apartment building. The Kenilworth Inn is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important part of history.

What is the Kenilworth Inn?

The Kenilworth Inn is a very distinctive building in Asheville. It stands out because of its unique architectural style. Imagine a building with steep roofs, tall chimneys, and decorative half-timbering. This is what the Tudor Revival style looks like.

This style was popular in the early 1900s. It made new buildings look like they had been around for centuries. The Kenilworth Inn is a great example of this design.

A Grand Plan for a Hotel

The Kenilworth Inn was originally designed to be a luxurious hotel. It was meant to replace an older hotel that had burned down. The plans were drawn up by Ronald Greene, a well-known architect. He wanted to create a grand place for visitors to stay.

The construction began in 1918. It was a big project, and the building was designed to be very impressive. However, the world was changing quickly during this time.

From Hotel to Hospital

Even though it was built to be a hotel, the Kenilworth Inn never opened as one right away. World War I was happening when it was finished. Because of the war, there was a great need for hospitals.

So, as soon as it was built, the Kenilworth Inn became a military hospital. It helped soldiers who were returning from the war. This was a very different purpose from what its builders had imagined.

A Building with Many Lives

After its time as a military hospital, the Kenilworth Inn continued to change its role. It was used as a mental hospital for a period. This shows how adaptable the building was, even though it wasn't its original design.

Later, it did finally become a hotel, just as it was first intended. It welcomed guests for many years. Buildings like the Kenilworth Inn often have long and interesting histories, adapting to the needs of the community.

A Historic Landmark Today

In the year 2000, the Kenilworth Inn changed again. It was converted into an apartment building. This means that people now live there in individual homes. It's a way to keep historic buildings useful in modern times.

On December 31, 2001, the Kenilworth Inn was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This special list recognizes buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history. Being on this list helps protect the building and its unique story for future generations.

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