HENDERSONVILLE — Fairmont Heritage Place The Cedars sales director Amy Shipman announced on Facebook on Dec. 18 that a three-bedroom penthouse at the property had sold for $2.729 million. This sparked outrage on social media, calling it “premature.” Celebrating luxury real estate.
This condominium project is under construction at 227 7th Ave. W. in downtown Hendersonville.
“There are seven penthouses at the top,” Shipman told the Hendersonville Times-News on Dec. 19. “Three were sold.”
Shipman said the buyers are wealthy retirees who already own nearby condos but want additional amenities such as a gym, spa and concierge services.
A 422-acre property at 9999 North Bearwallow Road in Fletcher sold for $6.75 million in January, breaking a land price record. A Hendersonville single-family home built for golf course architect Tom Fazio went on the market earlier this year, originally listed for $7.75 million.
Once fully built out, The Cedars will have 130 condos in two buildings. Shipman said 63 units have already been sold. The lowest-priced studios start at $535,000. The first tower is expected to be completed around the end of 2025, and the second tower in 2026.
Shipman’s Facebook post sparked angry comments online, with critics calling it insensitive in light of the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Helen, which hit western North Carolina on September 27th.
“Even before the disaster, people were losing their homes and facing housing insecurity. So does this person have the gall to gloat about selling a property for over $2 million?” one commenter wrote. He argued this.
“My answer to that was, ‘So when is it okay to get over the aftermath?'” Shipman said. She needed to continue marketing to potential customers and wanted to demonstrate the resiliency of downtown Hendersonville.
The economic damage caused by Helen, North Carolina is estimated at $53 billion. The storm killed 10 people in Henderson County, where more than 700 displaced families were staying in hotels paid for by FEMA. Helen left more than 1.5 million cubic yards of debris, which is expected to take months to remove, and travel remains restricted in the Batcave and Girton as roads were washed away.
The redevelopment of the property is controversial as Hendersonville faces a housing affordability crisis. At city planning meetings, residents often oppose new projects that could gentrify the area or high-density projects that could change the feel of a small town.
“This town is a rocky, hard place because they’re saying, ‘We need housing.’ Don’t build,” Shipman said.
The Cedars was built as a hotel in 1914. Shipman’s grandfather operated Clifton’s Cafeteria on the property. Her family purchased the 3.5-acre property in the late 1970s, and her parents operated it as an event venue and catering house hosting meetings and weddings. It closed in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but by then the family was already planning to redevelop the facility.
Shipman’s sister is married to Greg Cobin, a real estate developer who has worked on some of Miami’s most exclusive properties.
The family partnered with luxury hospitality brands Fairmont and Champion Hills Golf Community to offer perks to residents. The on-site restaurant is open to the public and you can reserve the space for luncheons and weddings.
Shipman said the property suffered no damage from Helen, although construction was suspended for about eight days due to safety precautions.
She said her family is often asked why they didn’t build more affordable housing.
“We need people to spend money,” she said, pointing to a video on the Cedars website featuring Beth Carden, former executive director of the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority. He said he spends $200 a day at tourist attractions. Shipman seemed unfazed by the controversy her post sparked.
In five years, she says, people won’t remember the discussion.
“We’re going to remember a great building that brought in revenue to the town.”
More information: Hendersonville City Council rejects zoning change for First Avenue Villas condominium project
Details: The Cedars becomes Fairmont-branded luxury home
Deirdre Funchon is a reporter covering Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties for the Hendersonville Times-News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Have tips, comments, or questions? Email DFuncheon@gannett.com.
