McKibbon Hospitality celebrated a significant milestone at One
West Pack Square as long-time tenant and building owner Glenn W. Wilcox Sr.,
chairman and president of Tower Associates, moved out of what was formerly
known as the BB&T building. John McKibbon, chairman of McKibbon
Hospitality, and Wilcox are developing a mixed-use project on the site that
includes a boutique hotel, condominiums, a restaurant and bar, parking and
retail space for lease. The interior demolition will begin this week with the
exterior building renovation and construction to start in the fall. The new
building will open in 2018.
“The BB&T building has served as an iconic anchor
in downtown Asheville as the area has experienced tremendous growth over the
past 50 years,” said Wilcox. “Along with John McKibbon, I am pleased to help
transform the building into a beautiful new site that will complement the
surrounding area, maximize the use of pedestrian space and public spaces
surrounding the building, and incorporate the talent of our local art and
culinary communities through its design and food and beverage components. Although
one chapter of this building’s history has come to a close, I am very excited
about the next phase of development of this great site in the heart of downtown
Asheville.”
Mr. Wilcox moved his business to
Asheville in 1965 and was one of the first tenants when the building opened
that year as the Northwestern Bank Building. He has been in the building for 51
years, and Tower Associates has served as the building’s owner, operator and
leasing agent since 1988. Wilcox has
been a successful entrepreneur as chairman and president of Tower Associates, founder of Wilcox World Travel and Tours, and founder of Blue Ridge Printing Company. In
addition to running several successful businesses, Mr. Wilcox has been an
integral part of Asheville’s growth and development. He has also maintained an
active role in the community through
his involvement with the Better Business Bureau of Asheville and Western North
Carolina, Mission Healthcare Foundation, Pediatric
Brain Tumor Foundation, and the
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County.
“As we celebrate the start of a new phase at One
West Pack Square, it’s important to pause and recognize the great impact that Glenn
Wilcox, his businesses, and his entire family have had and will continue to
have on Asheville,” said John McKibbon. “Asheville simply would not be what it
is today without Glenn’s involvement over the past 50 years. I am truly humbled
to work with him to transform a site that is at the center of Asheville’s
history into one that locals and visitors will enjoy for years to come.”
Once the new building
is open, Wilcox will maintain office space within the building. McKibbon and
Wilcox are also building
the AC by Marriott Hotel and a 350-space garage with public access at
the intersection of Biltmore Avenue and College Street, which is slated to open later this year.
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