Larry Griffin
lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com
Ground broke on eight new cabins in the Nantahala Outdoors Center on Wednesday morning, Aug. 2.
According to a press release from NOC, there will be four two-bedroom units and four one-bedroom ones. Some of them will become available for rent in November this year, with the rest rolling out periodically thereafter.
The outdoor center worked alongside architect firm Tinker Ma, general contractors Morgan Construction and Studio Shed on the new cabins. The press release noted that some of the cabins will be raised up on metal pilings, 50 feet high. That means they’ll be more environmentally friendly in a way since not all of the cabins will touch the ground, the release noted.
"Tinker Ma and the structural team is utilizing a helical pier/pile foundation design in lieu of traditional footings to achieve the necessary support for the cabins, while minimizing the disturbed footprint at each cabin. Morgan Construction is applying best management practices and limited tree removal during the construction of the foundations and supports to be as environmentally sensible as possible,” said Matt Williams, president of Morgan Construction, in an email.
The cabins are part of an effort for NOC to keep attracting new visitors.
“We’re trying to add more higher-end accommodation. We want to attract more people to the area from places like Charlotte or Atlanta, to get them to stay one or two days,” said NOC president Colin McBeath.
McBeath added that the idea was also to try and get guests to stay longer if they wish.
The cabins will be put in with a scenic view of the Smokies and right around other popular event centers in the Nantahala Gorge area, including restaurants, river activities and more.
McBeath said the new cabins would have “big decks, big windows and great interiors.”
And while the Nantahala Gorge area is known for rafting, McBeath, who has a history of running hotels and travel-related companies globally, said he wants to broaden the scope of their efforts and make sure visitors are enjoying themselves.
“We’re known for rafting, but we want to re-establish Nantahala as leaders as hospitality, too,” he said, adding that some of the areas they wanted to focus on included various kinds of medicine and guide schools.