Enka Homes for Sale

About
Enka, NC

The American Enka Company, the foundation of this small Asheville area town, was founded in 1928 by a Dutch firm called Nederlandse Kunstzijdefabriek. The name “Enka” comes from a phonetic pronunciation of the Dutch initials "N" and "K," an abbreviation of the company’s name. 

This powerhouse company was considered the largest rayon-producing factory in the U.S., and the subsequent village built around it comprised charming brick cottages, most often featuring 3 bedrooms and 1 to 3 bathrooms. Today, these homes are still standing, many boasting modern renovations. The area is also home to several new developments with green-built condos and townhomes, manufactured homes, and contemporary single-family homes. 

The last-standing landmark from the town’s factory chapter is the historic 139-foot Enka Clock Tower, a symbol of the town’s beginnings and economic prosperity. A key structure of the factory, there are plans to preserve and restore it alongside ongoing development. Enka Commerce Park, a 375-acre industrial park, currently occupies the former manufacturing site and is home to major Asheville employers like New Belgium Brewing and Wicked Weed Brewery, reinforcing Enka’s standing as a cornerstone of local employment.

Enka & Candler Area

Staple communities of West Asheville, Enka & Candler are within a 15-minute drive of downtown Asheville and close to the popular South Asheville Biltmore Lake community—a private planned community with a 62-acre lake and recreational amenities. Also nearby, you’ll find the Buncombe County Sports Park, a favorite for local families. 

Home to 9 soccer fields, sand volleyball courts & bocce ball courts, an 18-hole disc golf course, walking trails, a playground (including a wheelchair accessible swing), a dog park, and a community garden with an edible urban orchard, it’s generally open most days from 8 AM to 10:15 PM. 

Enka and Candler are under 10 minutes from Smokey Park Highway, a hot spot for restaurants and retail shops. The Madness, Sweet Southern Funk Food Truck, Griff’s Kitchen & Bar, Dripolator Candler, and Doc Brown’s BBQ are local favorites. If you don’t mind venturing off the eaten path, Sand Hill Kitchen is a highly-rated West Asheville joint inside a BP gas station known for its award-winning fried chicken sandwich. 

For art and leisure in these areas, check out the Enka-Candler Library and Enka Heritage Trail, a greenway with public art and storytelling stations detailing the area's history. Some highlights include River Cane Conservation, the Historic Clock Tower, Hominy Creek, and the WNC Railroad. The two towns are also within 4 miles of the WNC farmer’s market and Asheville Outlet Mall and within 6 miles of the NC Arboretum and Blue Ridge Parkway, making it easy to explore, shop, and soak up area history! 

Schools & Amenities

The Enka area is served by Buncombe County Schools and includes Enka High School, Enka Intermediate, and Enka Middle. Other nearby schools include Candler Elementary, Pisgah Elementary, and Hominy Valley Elementary. 

The satellite campus of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, A-B Tech Enka Campus, is also located in the heart of the community on Sand Hill Road, a major corridor in the Enka-Candler areas in West Asheville. 

Commute to  Asheville

Enka is a straight shot to Asheville via I-40 East, and it usually takes between 10-15 minutes to reach the city’s center, depending on traffic. For public transit, Mountain Mobility’s Enka-Candler Trailblazer connects to the Asheville Rides Transit (ART) system, which provides access across the city and to the Town of Black Mountain.