Beaumont

Architectural and Historical Information

Situated on a hilltop, Beaumont began in 1839 as a two-story Gothic Revival-style house constructed of mica-flecked cut granite that was quarried on nearby Glassy Mountain. Its present appearance is the result of a substantial remodeling and enlargement of the house executed in 1910 during the ownership of Frank B. Hayne. Asheville architect Richard Sharp Smith prepared designs for the current two-and-a-half-story, L-plan house with a cross-gable roof, multiple hip-roof dormers, and wraparound porch.  The first floor of the 1839 house remained intact, but the second floor was modified, and the third floor was added.

The house incorporates elements of the Tudor Revival and Neoclassical Revival styles, and features front and rear decorative half-timbered gables, decorative purlin brackets, exposed rafter tails, granite window and door lintels, and a two-story hip-roof rear wing. It has four interior stone chimneys with corbelling and arched metal caps. Original first-story windows are nine-over-nine double-hung sash, while the 1910 sections contain four-over-four, six-over-six, eight-over-eight, and diamond-pane sash windows. 

The flat roof Neoclassical Revival-style porch extends across the full width of the four-bay façade, projecting one bay beyond the northeast end, and wraps around the southwest end of the house where it projects to form a porte-cochère. The porch is carried on wooden Tuscan columns with a turned baluster railing. A replacement balustrade is located above the porch. Three entrance bays on the façade are composed of French doors surrounded by multi-light sidelights and tall transoms. A one-story semi-circular bay projects from the northeast side elevation. A one-story, two-bay garage addition was built at the rear of the house in 1987, which has a deck on its flat roof.

Beaumont includes the last surviving ice and dairy house of the historic Flat Rock houses, as well as a swimming pool and formal landscape of cultural significance. A broad and expansive porch overlooks the Blue Ridge while high-style stone mantels, plaster molded ceilings and both formal and service stairways adorn the interior.

The property will require a significant rehabilitation.  Core portions of the interior have suffered severe fire damage while much of the remaining house is intact with need of repaired finishes. Updates may be needed to the kitchen and baths, and all new systems are needed — HVAC, plumbing and electrical.

Beaumont is a local landmark and eligible for a 50% property tax deferral. As a contributing structure to the Flat Rock National Register Historic District, Beaumont qualifies for historic preservation tax credits.

Prospective buyers must have substantial financial resources for a successful rehabilitation of Beaumont.  Submittal of a financial statement will be required prior to scheduling of showings.

Area Information

Located in Hendersonville and approximately 10 minutes from the historic Village of Flat Rock, visitors and locals alike are drawn to the area for its combination of natural beauty, historic charm, and cultural attractions. The Blue Ridge Mountains with its Parkway and The Park at Flat Rock offer scenic views and opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and taking in in the natural environment. Historic sites include the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site and the Flat Rock Playhouse.  The town features quaint shops, galleries, and restaurants.  Nearby Asheville, the Biltmore Estate, and Chimney Rock State Park are each an hour’s drive or less, making Beaumont a convenient base for exploring the surrounding area.  Recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene damage are ongoing in the area.