Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community announces a campus renovation and expansion project that includes adding 165 new residences, several dining venues and an outdoor recreation center. Deerfield, celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, is situated on 125-acres in South Asheville near Biltmore Village and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The renovation plan includes extensive updating of community amenities and areas such as the resident library, gathering spaces, fitness and art studios, and employee dining and fitness. A new Center for Wellbeing and several dining venues will be introduced to the community, as well as a recreation center with indoor pickleball and an outdoor croquet court. A new clinic, physical therapy suite, salon/spa, and additional assisted living residences are planned.
There are 69 new residences in the apartment building project, and 96 in the Canterbury Homes. “Canterbury Homes are a hybrid design between an apartment and a cottage,” said Marketing Director Jane Childress. “They are located in a walkable woodland neighborhood, with 16 residences in each of six buildings,” she said. Groundbreaking is planned for the first quarter of 2026 and move-ins are anticipated to begin in late 2027.
“This renovation and expansion represent the next chapter in Deerfield’s commitment to providing an exceptional lifestyle for older adults,” said Deerfield President and CEO Libby Bush. “We’ve listened carefully to what current and future residents are looking for — connection, comfort, access to nature and a sense of belonging — and designed a community that reflects all of that and more.”
Deerfield is one of the Southeast’s most sought-after continuing care communities (CCRC), with a reputation for exceptional care and amenities. As a result, Deerfield maintains an extensive wait list — currently 1677 households. “The wait time for existing residences can be anywhere from five to fifteen years, but the expansion offers quicker entry for those who would like to move in late-2027, early 2028,” said Childress. “We’re hearing that some future residents are reserving Canterbury Homes together with friends. These homes create an intimate, village-like setting where new neighbors can experience their own neighborhood nestled within the greater community.”
This next chapter for the community also brings new employment opportunities to residents in the region, continuing Deerfield’s 70-year history of enriching the lives of those who live and work in Western North Carolina.
“As Deerfield continues to grow its vibrant community, our focus remains on creating opportunities for older adults to thrive in retirement,” Bush said. “This expansion opens the door for more people to experience the joy of retirement in Asheville — surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains. It’s not just about an expansion or new buildings: it’s about new beginnings filled with connection, adventure and joy.”
Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community is a nonprofit LifeCare community nestled in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. Faith-based and dedicated to service, Deerfield offers a vibrant, inclusive, and caring environment for older adults, deeply committed to giving back to the broader community.