Asheville, North Carolina, is planning to develop a new 2,500-seat arts and entertainment venue downtown, partnering with UK-based ATG Entertainment after decades of efforts to replace or renovate the aging Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.

The new performing arts center aims to host larger productions, including touring Broadway shows, and serve as a cultural and economic hub to benefit the community.

This project marks a significant shift from previous efforts, moving into a formal development phase with detailed studies, community input, and potential funding applications to create a sustainable cultural infrastructure.

The planning process involves impact analysis, business modeling, workforce assessments, and venue design studies, building on initial exploratory efforts.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed with ATG to work on predevelopment activities such as financial sustainability, site selection, and community engagement, with a potential construction phase to follow.

ATG will contribute financially to the new center’s construction and help develop a long-term business and funding plan, though initial commitments remain non-binding.

Lori Hotz, CEO of ATG Entertainment North America, expressed enthusiasm about exploring the Asheville market in collaboration with local organizations.

Funding sources under consideration include grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, especially to support storm-related economic recovery, and investments from the Tourism Development Authority.

City officials are also considering applying for federal disaster recovery grants funded by Tropical Storm Helene to support the project.

The existing Thomas Wolfe Auditorium will remain operational during and after the development of the new venue, with long-term plans for the entire Harrah’s Cherokee Center complex under review.

Initial studies and stakeholder engagement are expected to be completed by the end of 2025, informed by Asheville’s Arts Recovery Plan.

The Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, built in 1940 with a capacity of 2,400, is deteriorating and costly to renovate, with repair estimates ranging from $42 million to nearly $200 million.