Proposed Cherry Street building approved by historic preservation commission

The owner of Seven Sisters Art Gallery has the OK to build a two-story structure close to her shop on Cherry Street.

The Black Mountain Historical Preservation Commission on Jan. 24 gave owner Andrea McNair permission to build at 125 Cherry St., not far from her gallery at 117 Cherry St. 

Architect Chris Goodwin, sole proprietor of Acanthus Design Studio in Asheville, presented plans for the building at the commission meeting Jan. 24. The building will be in the empty lot between Europa and Mountain Nest, on the east side of Cherry Street, in the heart of the town’s historic district.

Goodwin’s design preserves as much as possible of the brick wall and wrought iron fence at street level along the sidewalk, he told commissioners. "It will sort of keep the street scene similar to what it is now," he said. 

The exterior of the building finished in stucco will be painted an earthy brown to blend in with the brick structures that dominate the district, Goodwin said. The design features balconies along Cherry Street on both floors. 

The back of the building, as drawn, will have twin balconies on the second floor with a rear entrance on the bottom floor. The door leads to six parking spaces on the east side of the structure. 

The building will have three residential units on the top floor, which McNair plans to rent on a long and short term basis. The bottom floor will serve as Seven Sisters Gallery's new home. 

The time frame for the construction of the building is still up in the air, according to McNair. "It may not happen for a year or two," she said in an email the day after the commission unanimously approved the certificate of appropriateness. 

Seven Sisters Gallery has displayed handmade arts and crafts from regional artists since 1981. McNair began working at the gallery in 1995 and bought the business in 2002.