Enka Commerce Park
Enka Commerce Park consists of approximately 375 acres that comprised the former BASF/American Enka manufacturing plant. Initially built in the late 1920s, Enka was the largest employer in Western North Carolina. Access is currently from Sand Hill Road, with a second entrance off Highway 19-23 to be completed in 2023.
In addition to providing space for the important revitalization of industry in our area, at the heart of this planned development is the vision to create a vibrant community hub of business, jobs, recreation, and retail. With six Buncombe County Schools within a five-mile radius and more than 850 homes in adjacent Biltmore Lake and surrounding areas, the community was an important aspect of the planning process.
To that end, a major anchor element of the Enka Center–the Bob Lewis Ballpark was opened in July 2018, providing community engagement and activity for local families and visitors alike.
Plans are also underway for the new Enka Heritage Trail Greenway, providing two miles of walking and nature trails surrounding Enka Center & Commerce Park for the community, business owners, and employees to enjoy. With these recent and upcoming additions to Enka Center & Commerce Park, we are pleased to see the seeds of the plan, planted more than a decade ago, come to fruition.
New Belgium Brewing built its 150,000 s.f. East Coast Distribution Facility in Enka Commerce Park. Enka Intermediate School, the newest addition to Buncombe County Schools, began its first year of classes in 2016 at the new 116,000 s.f. building with 54 classrooms. The school’s tower is modeled after the old Enka factory clock tower and is made of 20,000 bricks salvaged from the former American Enka factory. AB-Tech is located within minutes of Enka Commerce Park, providing training and business incubation facilities.
Enka Commerce Park is home to many important industrial companies, including Gladfelter, Schwan’s, Smith Dray Line, TSA Choice, Wicked Weed, Enka Fire Department, Haakon, and American Standard.
Today, the Enka Commerce Park plays a pivotal role in the revitalization of industry in the area and development of a vibrant community hub of business, jobs, recreation, and retail. The location features easy access to the Asheville Regional Airport (within 9 miles) and major interstates 1-26 (2.3 miles) and 1-40 (1.7 miles).