The building, located at 66-70 Market Street, is significant for its original architectural design and for its contributions to the commercial and religious history of Asheville, NC.
Discover our history below.
The land that 66 - 70 North Market Street was constructed upon was originally owned by L. B. Jackson, a real estate developer in Asheville in the first quarter of the twentieth century. Deed records note that L. B. Jackson transferred ownership of Lots 2, 3, and 4 to his realty company, Guaranty Realty Company, on July 24, 1925. Guaranty Realty Company then sold the properties to Central Bank & Trust Company on September 22, 1925.
Documentary photos from 1926 indicate the building was still under construction when sold, but nearing completion, along with the adjacent building to the north, the Asheville-Biltmore Hotel. Both buildings were completed in 1926.
When the Central Bank & Trust Company later failed in the stock market crash, all properties were transferred to Consolidated Realty Corporation, a holding company.
1920 - 1940s
66 Market Street was sold to James Lamprinakos and George Nichols, who then sold the property on October 30, 1941 to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. The church retained ownership and use of this section of the building until 1958, when it sold to Raymon D. and Frances B. Bell.
68 North Market Street was occupied by a smoke shop, government offices, and Longs Distributing Company Wholesale Radios. 70 North Market Street in the 1940s was occupied by Floor Coverings Inc. and H. Lange Company wholesale confectioners.
1940
As time progressed, 66-70 continued to be the home for an eclectic group of companies.
After the church sold 66 Market Street in 1958, the US Department of Agriculture had offices here through the early 1970s.
68 North Market tenants included Asheville Bible Church, Essex Realty and Mortgage Company, and Modern Sewing Center, Cauble Office Equipment Company, Carolina Business Equipment Company, and Western Carolina Athletic Supply Warehouse.
Tenants in 70 North Market Street included Beale and Peggy Fletcher School of Dance for a short time, followed by IBM Corporation, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, and the Motor Vehicle License Plate Agency.
1950 - 1970s
Throughout the 1970s - 1990s, 66-70 Market Street continued to change ownership. Property owners include Dexter E. Parham (1971), Paul and Polly Hickling(1983), John and Jean Sayre (1983), Stanley and Lisa Young (1991), and Richard and Karen Jackson (1991). The Jacksons deeded the property in 1997 to the Youngs, and then Lisa Young to Stanley Young as sole owner beginning in 1999. Stanley Young owned the property until bought by the current owner.
In 2022, Heather Davis of Heather Davis Studio purchases 66-70 Market Street as the future home for UpMarket Gallery, a fine art gallery and event space serving Asheville, North Carolina. The building is currently being renovated to its former glory and renewed inside with space for a fine art gallery, gift shop, and loft studios for local artisans, opening in 2024.
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