State

Thu vintage photo by Elliott Lymon Fisher recoils the tome<) hotel's earlier days Built m 1913 by E W Grove, of pharmoccuticol fome ond fortune (engineered by his son in low, Fred Seely, Sr ), it attrocted о world fonsous clientele In the recent $20 million construction protect, over $2 million was spent in restoring ond remodeling the originol structure Grove Park Inn is listed in the Notionol Register of Historic Ploccs The Old And New Of Grove Park Our uriler r«*n«»u* а litVIonu lovr affair uifh one of America** mutini¬ es* resort*. tty BILL F. IILASI.LV \ fellow Ashevillian, author Thomas Wolfe, immortalized the statement that "you can't go home again." Wolfe was right, of course, but that theory was partially dispelled recently when I returned to my hometown to see the Cirove Park Inn. the old and the new of the famous hostelry. I he reunion was nostalgic and moving and brought to mind another oft used expression: "the more things change, the more they stay the same." A true observation in this instance. I he Grove Park Inn. one of the na¬ tion's oldest and best-known resorts, has changed, to be sure. A new wing has been added that contains 202 rooms, a huge ballroom, spacious meeting rooms, a plush lounge, a luxurious dining room, and an indoor swimming pool and health club. The addition, adjacent to the original structure, was built at a cost of over S20 million. It is a show place — a stylish, tastefully-decorated facility that will enable Grove Park to better serve its guests. I was especially pleased with the new wing. It blends gracefully into the Sunset Mountain site. and. in a few years, will be regarded as "stately." Charm Recaptured But it was the old building, a proud mansion since 191 3. that re-captured my heart. THE STATE, JULY 1984 I had heard that the structure, built from huge mountain boulders, would be remodeled and restored to its origi¬ nal charm and elegance. I was not dis¬ appointed. More than 52 million was spent on the project, and it received the loving care it deserved. Careful attention was paid to each detail to insure authentic¬ ity- The classic inn. a favorite for 71 years, never looked better. " The grand old lady of the mountains has put on a new dress." one observer noted. But there was more than a new dress for the queen. The transfiguration was throughout, from top to bottom. I headed first for the "Great Hall." the huge lobby w ith the large fireplaces at each end. Gone were the shops that had proliferated tluough the years to distract from the beauty of the native stone interior. Much The Same The large columns had been paneled and a new flagstone floor installed. I he unique elevators, buried in the rock framework at each end of the 120-fool lobby, were still intact and operating smoothly. Upstairs, surrounding the beautiful Palm Court atrium, each room hail been done over. There were new bath- loom fixtures, carpeting, and freshly painted walls. And there was air con- TV nc* $1 7.S SflMOM Wing (named tor Chariot Sommont. Cho.rmon of the Dollot I Mm -hi<h m Grove Pork) oddt 200 gueit roomt, a l.OOO-teot bollroom «onvenfion boll, plut e.tentivc other tocilifict all planned to blend with the originol inn With thu oddifion. Grove Porh it now one ot the lorget! year around locilitiei ot itt kind in the Corolmat