Presenting an exceptional 63-acre commercial development opportunity in the heart of Mills River, North Carolina. One of Western North Carolina’s fastest-growing and most strategically positioned commercial and industrial markets. Located at 32 School House Road, this expansive tract offers a unique combination of scale, zoning versatility, access to public utilities, and proximity to major regional transportation assets. Zoned MR-NC (Neighborhood Commercial), the property supports a wide array of commercial, service-oriented, and mixed-use development possibilities, with the potential for rezoning or conditional approvals for larger commercial or industrial concepts. This flexibility makes the site highly attractive for investors, developers, and end-users seeking a significant presence in a market experiencing sustained industrial and commercial demand. A key feature that sets this property apart is the availability of public water and sewer located adjacent to the tract—a rarity in Mills River, where many large parcels lack utility access. The presence of municipal utilities greatly enhances the development potential and substantially reduces upfront infrastructure costs. The land itself is primarily flat and usable, offering broad, functional acreage suitable for commercial campuses, retail and service centers, flex-industrial development, warehousing, light manufacturing, logistics, research facilities, or mixed-use clusters, subject to Town of Mills River requirements and approvals. The site’s layout and topography provide numerous options for phased development, subdivision, or a single large-scale commercial project. Mills River has emerged as a powerhouse for industrial and commercial activity due to its central location between Asheville, Hendersonville, and Brevard, as well as its immediate proximity to Interstate 26, U.S. 280, and the Asheville Regional Airport. National and international companies—including Sierra Nevada Brewing, Amazon, FedEx, Pepsi, GF Linamar, and others have invested heavily in this corridor, drawn by excellent transportation access, a stable workforce, logistics advantages, and a pro-business regulatory environment. Industrial and commercial land absorption in Mills River has outpaced supply for years, creating strong long-term value and making large contiguous tracts with utility access increasingly scarce. An old 1850’s colonial home remains on the property; however, it is considered to have no contributory value and is not expected to affect redevelopment plans. The highest and best use of the site lies overwhelmingly in its commercial and industrial potential. With its combination of location, visibility, access, utilities, and sheer acreage, this property represents one of the most compelling development opportunities currently available in Western North Carolina. Whether your vision is a corporate campus, industrial park, commercial center, or an investment hold for future appreciation, 32 School House Road delivers the fundamentals that developers and end-users seek—location strength, infrastructure, zoning flexibility, and market momentum. This is a rare chance to control a legacy-sized tract in a thriving commercial hub poised for continued long-term growth.
Prime development opportunity on 16.08 acs in Mills River! This property was originally entitled in 2019 under a Special Use permit by the prior owner but the Sr. Housing project was never developed. The property is now available for uses compatible with MR-MU zoning. Watershed III B restrictions apply. Potential JV considered with land/equity contribution or ground lease. By appointment only!
LISTED WHEN SOLD. One of Mills River's most sought after retail sites located at the intersection of NC 191 (Haywood Rd) and NC 280 (Boylston Hwy). Best suited for pharmacy, QSR, retail box, mixed-use, etc.- multiple points of access from two major highways! Small creek crosses the rear of site, public sewer on site; fiber optic easement parallels the creek. Value is in the land! High visibility, strong traffic counts, fronts two major arteries! Watershed III regulations apply, zoned MR-GB. Call agent for showings- tenant occupied. Strong growth, high visibility! A new Publix S/C developing up the road along NC 280/191. By appointment only!
One of WNC's most unique properties w/ mixed uses possible. Event Center, a camp or a campus & recreational. 5+ acre pond/lake w/event center, a house for VRBO/AirBnB or other uses. Event center has large spacious activity room, wardrobe/dressing rooms, service room, full kitchen for catering & public restrooms. Lower level offers possible expansion or other uses w/ open unfinished area & multiple locations pre-plumbed for bathrooms/kitchens and storage. House has multiple possible uses. Currently a short term rental but could serve as longer term rental, caretaker or offices (or combination). Lake belongs to property & is restricted to use by only the adjacent property owners & this property. No Motorized boats or water craft allowed. Old Barn also on property for storage. Beautiful setting with distant mountain views, lake front and lake views and sufficient parking for activities or events on property. Must see to appreciate the property & to understand the mixed use options.
Outstanding commercial, industrial, or residential land development opportunity in Mills River! Gently rolling pastoral land in a growth market within 10 mins of the Asheville Regional Airport and I-26. A new Publix grocery and strip retail is developing one block east on Boylston Hwy within sight of this property! Join Publix, Meade Tractor, Ingles, Bojangles, Amazon and a myriad of regional and national retailers, new industry, and local eateries! Water and sewer are nearby - buyer to investigate utility availability, adaptability & capacity for utilities. Watershed restrictions apply; agent must accompany all showings!
Andrea Conner, License #298336, Xome Inc., License #C24582, [email protected], 844-400-9663, 750 State Highway 121 Bypass, Suite 100, Lewisville, TX 75067
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Mills River is located in North Carolina. Mills River, North Carolina has a population of 7,082. Mills River is more family-centric than the surrounding county with 33.97% of the households containing married families with children. The county average for households married with children is 24.37%.
The median household income in Mills River, North Carolina is $68,735. The median household income for the surrounding county is $59,928 compared to the national median of $69,021. The median age of people living in Mills River is 46.3 years.
The average high temperature in July is 83.4 degrees, with an average low temperature in January of 25.4 degrees. The average rainfall is approximately 48.4 inches per year, with 9 inches of snow per year.
