Asheville -- March 18, 2026: Sixteen months after the devastating floodwaters of Hurricane Helene reshaped the banks of the French Broad River, the River Arts District (RAD) is signaling a powerful new chapter. The recovery is moving forward on two fronts: the restoration of historic landmarks and the ambitious creation of a "flood-safe" future.
The Historic Cotton Mill Returns
The Asheville Cotton Mill Studios, located at 122 Riverside Drive, has officially reopened its doors to tenants. The 1887 structure, a cornerstone of the district’s history, underwent extensive remediation to prepare its nearly 8,000 square feet, according to organizers, for a new generation of creators.
The building is now 100% leased, housing 8 primary studio spaces ranging from 700 to 1,200 square feet. While several artists have already returned to work, the building’s anchor tenant—the beloved Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food—is currently building out a permanent restaurant and bar in Studio A. Their official on-site reopening is slated for Spring 2026.
"We aren't just cleaning up; we're reinforcing," says the management, noting new accessible decks and interior upgrades designed to preserve the mill for the next century. A grand community celebration is being planned for Fall 2026.
Current Tenants at 122 Riverside Drive:
Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food & Bar
Asheville Fine Art Gallery
Luxe House Photographic
Alison Press Art
Bleu Pansy
Align Asheville
Linsey Gray Fine Art + Design
Mollie Mercer
A Vision for the Future: The RAD Creative Campus
While the Cotton Mill celebrates its history, the River Arts District Artists (RADA) Foundation is looking toward higher ground. The foundation is currently under contract for a 4.32-acre site located at 123 and 135 Lyman Street (adjacent to Ultra Coffeebar) to develop the RAD Creative Campus.
This $7.5 million project is a direct response to Hurricane Helene, which destroyed roughly 80% of artist workspaces in the district and displaced more than 500 creators. Because the new 4.32-acre site sits on high ground above the historic floodplain, it offers a permanent, 'flood-safe' cultural anchor for the entire arts community."
What the Creative Campus will offer:
40 Affordable Studios: Providing long-term stability for local creators.
A Resiliency Hub: Shared professional equipment, including kilns and metal-working tools, intended to replace what was lost in the flood.
Community Space: Plans include spaces intended to serve the community along the Lyman Street corridor.
The foundation is currently in a major fundraising phase, with a target property closing date of September 2027.
The Path Ahead
Together, these projects represent the grit of the Asheville business community. From the 8 studios now buzzing again at the Cotton Mill to the 40 future workspaces on Lyman Street, the message is clear: the arts in Asheville are not just coming back—they are staying.