House #8

20 Woodlawn is across the street from the Rankin-Bearden House, which was built in 1848 and it one of the oldest houses in Asheville.  The area around the house was developed in 1910 when the Rankin-Bearden heirs sold 16 acres of their “old tanyard tract” to developer Frank Sumner.  Sumner offered 81 lots at public auction, advertising his development’s many trees, superb location near Pack square, and “the constant breeze coming up the valley from the French Broad River”.

The house at 20 Woodlawn was built in 1916 as investment property, and has served as a rental for most of its life.  A notable exception was the the Clubb family, who lived in the house from 1968 to 1993, and were so proud of their home they installed a brass plaque on the front door that remains to this day: “ Mr. and Mrs. James R. Clubb.”

Many renters followed the Clubbs, and the house suffered from severe neglect.  In 2015, owners Dan and Emily Brown took it down to the studs and brought it up to code.  Current owner Alice Martin purchased the house in 2017 and has contributed her considerable sense of style.  Her largely white interior showcases both the original floors and windows and Alice’s brightly colored artwork.

The old-fashioned kitchen highlights an antique French armoire used as a pantry, open shelves with beautiful pottery, and a metal industrial table on rollers.  The lower level has been transformed into a modern master bedroom, bath and laundry, all with radiant-heated concrete floors.  Do not miss the locally-made custom Murphy bed in a second floor bedroom and the hideaway office in a closet next to the front door.

Please enjoy cookies made by neighborhood bakers at 20 Woodlawn Avenue.