21 replies to this topic

[archiham04]

http://www.themgrande.com/

This project will be in Western Buncombe County, just outside the Asheville City Limits.

[orulz]

First reaction: What the...?

For those of you wondering what the name "The M Grande" means, but don't want to click on the link, well... the building looks like a giant distorted "M".

Bold? yes. Strange? Absolutely. I dunno about this. Hopefully this place isn't visible from anywhere else so it won't really matter.

[Damien]

I kinda like this. Its very 60's mod meets the future. Although i will say that it definitely wouldnt fit in downtown.

[DigitalSky]

it looks kinda like a cruise ship

[GSP Tiger]

It looks sleek and modern.  I hope it does well.

[appatone]

It's interesting but I would hope it doesn't end up like that monstrosity on top of Beech Mountain.

[cinco]

if this is nestled in a valley it will be very cool. if it's on a mountain top...then i would give it th nay-no. it is a fun design, i can't wait to load up the space pod and beam over to the m grande.

[cinco]

^from what i just gathered from the website - it will be located in the french broad valley. also, if you click on gallery then vistas...it alludes that it will be on a mountain face in a valley. nice.

Edited by cinco, 28 September 2005 - 01:07 PM.

[archiham04]

cinco, on Sep 28 2005, 01:00 PM, said:

if this is nestled in a valley it will be very cool. if it's on a mountain top...then i would give it th nay-no. it is a fun design, i can't wait to load up the space pod and beam over to the m grande.

I don't know a lot of details, but I hear it will be elevated... "on a saddle" is how it was described.  NC ridgetop laws will probably prohibit it from imposing on the ridgeline like the one on Sugar.

By the way, this project is FOR REAL.  The developer has hired a contractor and is negotiating with local design firms.  "...meet George Jetson..."

[orulz]

To the best of my knowledge, ridgetop laws only apply above 4500 feet. Below that, anything's game.

This is being built by a Myrtle Beach company. According to this article it will be on a mountain. Words cannot describe how out of place this will look on top of a mountain for all to see. Unlike Myrtle Beach, Asheville is not (and never has been) about showy vegas strip-sytle glitz. Asheville is about classiness and nature. Put this resort in a valley or an unobtrusive hillside and I have no problem with it; the design is strange but it is kind of fun. It sort of seems to evoke mountains.

But then, stick it on top of a mountain- and it will ruin the view for miles around, as if to say "Screw you nature, screw you locals, I don't give a crap about you because I'm better than you!" And it looks like that's what is going to happen.

Thank you, Buncombe county, for your refusal to regulate land use!

[urbanesq]

looks like something out of a 1980's sci-fi film.  Very Buck Rogers.
I'm all for mod, but this looks kinda stupid.  Also looks like the kind of place that will seem outdated and shabby VERY soon.

I can already imagine the editorials in a decade or two calling for the destruction of the eyesore.

[DanRNC]

Quote

looks like something out of a 1980's sci-fi film. Very Buck Rogers.
I'm all for mod, but this looks kinda stupid. Also looks like the kind of place that will seem outdated and shabby VERY soon.

I can already imagine the editorials in a decade or two calling for the destruction of the eyesore.

I agree totally. It looks completely out of place in that area of the state.

[Dukeis#1]

I kind of like the design of the building.  Just hope it doesn't ruin the moutain setting.

However, I think it would be nice if the people behind this would have came up with a design that fits in a little more.  Echoing the above comments, this seems like something that belongs in some beachside resort town rather than the mountains...


"M" Grande Resort and Spa?  I'm sick of all these new age-ish names!

Edited by Dukeis#1, 01 October 2005 - 05:23 PM.

[NCMike1981]

it's so....modern....looks like something that belongs in RTP not on 400 acres in the mountains

[Hankster]

NCMike1981, on Oct 2 2005, 12:54 AM, said:

it's so....modern....looks like something that belongs in RTP not on 400 acres in the mountains

I like it.  Asheville is so beautiful, and such a neat city that I often wondered when another mega hotel would be built there.  If they do build this thing, I predict that it will be very successful.

[Spartan]

Watch out Grove Park? I think what makes the Grove Park Inn so successful is that it conforms ot everythign that has been described before: archtecture, nature, etc.

This M Grande thing is quite hideous. The sad thing is that many tourists probably won't care, just so long as its a hotel that they can use.

[rooster8]

That is probably the worst looking design I've ever seen.

[Hankster]

rooster8, on Oct 21 2005, 12:03 PM, said:

That is probably the worst looking design I've ever seen.

It's the kind of design people will either love or hate.  I think once it's built, it will grow on people and become quite the landmark.

[MR-2]

As long as it isn't visibly detracting from the mountain scenery, I'm fine with it. I quite like the design actually, just not in the context of the mountains.

[Dylan]

It's neat looking for sure. I dont think it will do any damage to the Grove Park's sucess  though. Nothing would replace that classic hotel/resort.