New Development Coming to Boone
A new restaurant and mixed-use development are planned for Boone, set to bring new residential and commercial space to the town. Details on the specific type of restaurant and a timeline for construction are expected to be released soon.
The development is a project by the Winkler Organization, a long-time developer in the area with over 500,000 square feet of commercial and multi-family properties developed since 1984. The company currently manages over 1,000 tenants in Boone, many in student-oriented housing. Dubbed the "King Street Boone Hotel & Residences," the project will feature a 32,000-square-foot building with a 20-room boutique hotel, 20 private residences, and two restaurants on the first floor. The design is inspired by boutique hotels like The Ramble Hotel in Denver. This project is part of a larger trend of mixed-use developments in Boone, a strategy encouraged by the town's planning ordinances for several years. The Winkler Organization has a history of such projects, including Winkler Square, which combined residential units with retail space. The development joins a dynamic downtown area, which is also undergoing the Howard Street Revitalization Project to improve infrastructure and pedestrian access. This initiative, backed by an $850,000 grant, is aimed at making the downtown corridor more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly. While the specific concepts for the two new restaurants have not yet been announced, Boone's culinary scene has seen other recent additions. Establishments like "Over Yonder Boone," focusing on Appalachian cuisine, and "The Wafflery" have recently opened, indicating a growing and diversifying food market. Construction is in its early stages, with the Winkler Organization's project page indicating that site prep and footer installation are in progress. The project is located at the center of King Street and the expanding Howard Street shopping area.
