Asheville, NC

Partnerships Power Bold New Developments

The story of Project Aspire in Asheville, North Carolina, showcases how the combined missions of two unrelated organizations can drive transformative change—through the power of shared real estate.

Gro often works with YMCAs at pivotal moments, just like here. The YMCA faced outdated facilities, increasing maintenance needs, and evolving community demands. Our analysis uncovered a major opportunity: reimagine the property to maximize its value and expand services to meet the growing needs of the neighborhood.

Enter the First Baptist Church of Asheville, which shared the YMCA's vision for social impact. Together, they combined their 10 acres of prime real estate and partnered with a developer to create Project Aspire—a bold, multi-faceted development. The plan includes five new structures, featuring a 300-room hotel, 650 residential units (with 20% designated as affordable housing), extensive office space, commercial and community areas, a new YMCA, and parking for 2,000 vehicles. Importantly, the historic church will be preserved as part of the project.

While some funding for Project Aspire is still being secured, strong community support and solid financing are propelling this ambitious development forward.

This is the power of partnerships—where collaboration and vision can reshape neighborhoods and create lasting impact.