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The Applewood is one of the longest continuously operating bed and breakfast style hotels in Asheville having transformed from a private residence in the late 1980’s. The house was completed in 1912 by Captain John Adams Perry who was the great nephew of brothers Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and Commodore Matthew Galbraith Perry. The former relation defeated the British Navy on Lake Erie in the War of 1812, and the latter relation opened free trade with Japan in 1853.
In 1908, Army Captain John Adams Perry purchased the large acreage site on Cumberland Circle located on the northern edge of what is now the Montford Historic District adjacent to downtown Asheville. At the time, the cleared knoll overlooked the rolling agricultural lands stretching north along the old Buncombe Turnpike and offered a wonderful view and site for Perry’s new home. Captain Perry hired the versatile Asheville architect William Henry Lord to design the residence. Many of the original century-old architectural house plans with changes and notations in pencil are on display throughout the house.
The house was completed in 1912 and served as Captain Perry’s home until his death in 1939.
In the parlor hang two pictures (circa 1912), one showing the newly completed house and the second is a panoramic picture from the northern second floor balcony looking over the vast farmland and mountains from the north to the east, even displaying a sign advertising Cumberland Circle lots for sale. Captain Perry’s deed restriction stated that his new home must cost at least $2,500 to build, records indicate that he spent $8,000.
The New England Style Colonial Revival two-story structure is frame construction with a stone masonry foundation, cedar shake siding featuring a pediment entrance supported on Doric columns and flanking porches. The main level of the Manor consists of a large entry hall from front to back, parlor, living room, formal dining room, butler’s pantry, half bath, kitchen and basement stairs. There are fireplaces in the parlor, living room and dining room. The second level consists of a large hallway, built-in linen storage cabinets, stairs to the third level, and four of our 6 guest rooms (Granny Smith, Northern Spy, York Imperial and MacIntosh) each with its private bathroom. There are fireplaces and balconies for all rooms except the Northern Spy on the second level. The third level consists of the large one room Winesap Suite with a luxury bath and sitting area. The house is approximately 6,000 square feet in size.
The Applewood Manor, now a private residence, is owned by Stephen and Robin Collins joined by their playful French Bulldogs, Byrum’s Ballad of Cleopatra “Cleo”, Byrum’s Somebody to Love “Pearl” and Byrum’s Moonage Daydreamer Ziggy Stardust “Ziggy.” The Collins’ family moved to Asheville in the summer of 2018 once they became empty nesters. Prior to moving to Asheville, the Collins have lived, worked and extensively traveled throughout the United States and globally.
Stephen is a long-time software technology entrepreneur and leader with over three decades of global business experience (www.linkedin.com/in/srcollins). A former elite amateur competitive cyclist, Stephen remains an active member of the global cycling community through his global cycling organization Velo Roussillon (follow on Instagram @veloroussillon), long term support of the USA Cycling Development Foundation and other related endeavors. Stephen is also an owner of New York City based fine dining restaurant Ilis NYC and craft beer bar As Is NYC.
Robin began her career as a commercial interior designer in New York City and then focused raising the couple’s three daughters. Robin is responsible for breakfast service as well as the yummy fresh-baked homemade cookies placed in every guest room. Over the last 25 years, Robin has become an outstanding bread baker whose efforts our guests will surely enjoy during their stay. In addition to hundreds of hours practicing in her in-home bakery, she has taken baking courses at The French Culinary Institute in New York City along with many other classes and workshops in the USA and Europe.
Vitor Zucco Schizzi served as our Culinary Program Director and our Cycling Program Director during our last year of operation in 2024. Vitor is a former professional cyclist who competed in races worldwide, and he was the youngest ever Brazilian professional road race champion winning the title in 2019. In addition to leading our cycling program, Vitor is also an aspiring chef. Beginning in February 2025, Vitor will join the culinary team at one Michelin star Restaurant Marc Fosh in Mallorca, Spain. Congratulations Vitor!!!
We are thankful to the many local friends who volunteered their services for events including our wine pros Drew Summers of Advintage Distributing, the team at Metro Wines and our cycling program ambassadors on the Super Squadra Cycling Team which is sponsored by The Applewood Manor. We thank Gravelo Workshop for handling all our bike fleet and guest service needs.
Thanks are due to our culinary advisors Michelin star chefs Xavier Mathieu, Marc Fosh and Mads Refslund for their counsel and support. We also thank Todd Mathis of DNS Wines with cellar selections and pairings for our Michelin star guest chef events.
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