The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County recently honored the people and projects helping preserve the region’s architectural and cultural history at the 46th Annual Griffin Awards.

Let's explore some of the winners:

Gemelli

The team earned the honor for rehabilitating the historic Biltmore Crossing property after it was inundated with 11 ft. of floodwater during Helene. Originally built in 1923 as the Biltmore Hardware Company, the building was carefully restored to maintain its character while meeting modern flood mitigation standards and supporting Biltmore Village's recovery. The restaurant recently opened in its new home at 2835 Hendersonville Rd.

387 Haywood Road

This space was recognized for adaptive reuse after owners recently repurposed the 1937 service station into a hub for local makers. Tenants include Haunt by spoon + hook, Nice Time Glass, Woodland Tattoo, and Subject Matter Studio. The interior was reconfigured to accommodate multiple businesses while preserving the building's historic roofline and the industrial charm of the brick walls and garage bay windows.

"Urban Renewal Impact: The Movie"

Filmmaker Todd Gragg and historian Priscilla Robinson received the Research, Publication, and Education award for their exploration of how urban renewal displaced Asheville’s Black communities, particularly in Southside. Through interviews and archival research, the documentary preserves stories of residents affected by urban renewal, connecting Asheville’s experience to a broader national history.

Go deeper

These are just a fraction of the 16 projects and groups recognized this year — explore the full list to dive into the building process behind spots like Rowan West, Old Europe, and Ananda Hair Studios North.

The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County is celebrating 50 years of work to protect historic places through advocacy, preservation easements, grants, educational programming, and technical support for owners of older buildings. Learn more about their work and how you can get involved.