The Radical Asheville, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

The Radical opened in October 2023 inside an abandoned 1920s warehouse that had been a cereal factory, in Asheville's River Arts District. It has 70 rooms and suites and bills itself as a living art installation. Its name nods to the district's RAD nickname. Hurricane Helene hit in September 2024, and the hotel reopened to guests in January 2025. In May 2025 it joined Hilton's Tapestry Collection.

The place

The hotel is at 95 Roberts Street, in the River Arts District on the French Broad River, the part of Asheville where the old industrial buildings now hold studios and galleries.

The concept

Amy Michaelson Kelly, principal of the development firm Hatteras Sky, developed the hotel. Somera Capital East is the capital partner, and Driftwood Hospitality Management, which runs more than 80 hotels with about 15,000 rooms, operates it.

The design leans on art rather than period detail. Exposed brick stays in the rooms, and the release describes a suite with a love seat, zebra-print accent pillows and fabric matched across couch, headboard and curtains. Local artists contributed work throughout.

When Helene struck, the team turned the property into a base for first responders and a distribution point for supplies. With the River Arts District Artists Foundation, Explore Asheville and Ponce City Market, it later hosted a pop-up gallery in Atlanta, titled Love Asheville from Afar, for artists affected by the storm. The Tapestry affiliation brings Hilton Honors points, member rates and free standard Wi-Fi on direct bookings.

Dining & wellness

Three venues, all run by Asheville restaurateur Jacob Sessoms, a two-time James Beard nominee. Golden Hour is the flagship wood-fire restaurant. The Roof is the rooftop bar over the River Arts District, with a fire pit. after/glow is a café and bar.

All three closed after the storm, and the restaurant teams cooked for the neighbourhood during the recovery. The venues reopened over the following months.