Digging Footings for new Event Barn

Happy New Year Team!

Here is a photo sent to me earlier today.   The crew is onsite and digging footings for the foundation of our new Event Barn.   We are progressing nicely.

Be safe,

Joe

Progress Photos - Dec. 29, Foundation Prep.

Isn't the Claxton Farm site just amazing?!!!    As you can see by these photos, dirt is moving....April 2010 is our deadline to have new construction complete!  We're on our way!

Please send requests for more info to events@claxtonfarm.net.

Site prep and road widening underway!

Team,

The heavy equipment is rolling at Claxton Farm.  We're moving dirt, widening roads, and preparing for foundation of the new event barn at Claxton Farm.   It's an exciting time.   We have confirmed several new "post fire" bookings and available dates are going quickly!   If you have clients that may be interested in an event date at Claxton Farm in 2010, please refer them to www.claxtonfarm.net to complete the request for information form or have them call 828.658.1390 to speak with Micah or Maria.

Happy New Year to you and yours!

all the best,

Joe

Merry Christmas!

Hello Everyone!

I'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!  

Claxton Barn construction permits are pulled.  Of course, the "storm of the decade" will slow things this week, but not much work would have happened over the Christmas Holiday.   We're still on schedule to meet our April deadline for certificate of occupancy. 

Hope  you all have a safe and wonderful Holiday.

All the best,

Joe

Here is a link to view the new rendering with details:   
http://claxtonfarm.net/newbarn.html

Permits are pulled and constrution begins!

Team,

Great news!  Construction permits have been allocated to our builder by the County.   The footprint of the building has been  marked.  Heavy equipment for site work is being delivered now and grading starts tomorrow (Friday Dec. 18) morning.  We are officially moving toward our April completion date.  

Because we will now have a year round venue, we're pre-booking for "A Claxton Farm Christmas" in 2010.   Anyone that is interested should complete the Request Information form on the Claxton Website. 

Merry Christmas,

Joe

Rendering Complete

Team,

 Here is a rendering of the NEW Event Barn at Claxton Farm.   The barn features a hard floor, 20' vaulted ceilings with exposed beams, wood siding inside and out, accent lighting, covered terraces, and more!  It will be very rustic inside and out, yet have some conveniences that will make it a fully functional, year round venue.  Construction will start with site work this week and estimated completion date is April, 2010 with our first wedding on May 1st, 2010.   Thank you all for your patience and for spreading the word that we're continuing to move forward with what is sure to be a premier event venue for years to come.

All the best,

Joe

Renderings Coming

Team,

I've seen the renderings of our new event barn at Claxton Farm. It's really neat that the architect was able to keep the basic roof line and structural appearance as the old barn. There are twenty foot ceilings, covered terraces and more, yet all very rustic and simple, just like the old barn! We'll release them to the staff and reservation holders this coming weekend.

Also, there some some very interesting "Green" aspects to the new construction, like geothermal heating & cooling. Also, a portable saw mill is being set up and selective cutting will happen on the farm, which will reduce on over all carbon print.

Folks, the amount of work that has been done since November 2 is impressive. I know that many folks do not understand designing and constructing a new building. If anyone were to question our progress, please let them know that we are working at Mach 5 speed to get this done. My next Blog post should have some sort of rendering included.

Thanks,

Joe

I have seen the plans!

Team,

I want to let you know that I've seen the plans for the NEW Event Barn at Claxton Farm. Please inform everyone that serious progress has been made and that there will be a private unveiling for our staff and family on December 11th, then we'll release the renderings and plans to our entire list of reservation holders. After that, to the general public. Construction will start soon and our deadline for completion with C/O is May 1, 2010.

Thanks for all your support during this time, and thank you to the Claxton Family for continuing the vision and for continuing to share the magnificence of Claxton Farm for years to come!

My best,

Joe

Dec. 11th

Team,

Plans are coming together and site work has begun. I will be working with The Claxton Family through the final review of plans, hopefully this week. I know that Dec. 11th is the date set for "unveiling" the plans. I hope to have renderings in the hands of our reservation holders prior to that. Now you all have a date to look forward to and to share. Things are moving forward and we're looking forward to a huge 2010 season at Claxton Farm and beyond. Thanks, Joe

Post Thanksgiving Update

Team,

The Thanksgiving Holiday week has put updates behind. The Claxton's have cleared the old barn site and have prepped it to begin construction. They are still settling on a plan, so I don't have any renderings to post at this time.

We have had 9 "post fire" event bookings. These folks are taking advantage of our temporary booking policy which allows them to reserve their date at Claxton Farm for a minimal refundable deposit until they have time to review the new venue plan.

I believe that we will have more regular updates this week.

Best regards,

Joe

Update from Joe Lasher

Team,

I met with Porter and Martha Ann Claxton today. Their architect is working hard on plans. We're getting closer to releasing the design of the new barn. I can tell you that the roof line will be similar to the old barn. We will have a solid floor and post & beam construction with high ceilings. We're anticipating a nice deck overlooking the pond. It's important to Martha Ann that events on the Farm are focused as much on the outdoors as possible. We're working in that direction.

More later,

Joe

Update from Claxton

Joe & M7:

I will try to keep you up to date with our progress at the Flat Top as we go along: We knocked down the Bathrooms yesterday and took a load to the Landfill; however, they wouldn't take it because it was a burned product. One has to wait 2 weeks before they will take burned debris. Too bad we didn't know this ahead of time. This will delay our process, but we will continue to work on the site. We hope to knock down the storage room today if we get it cleaned up inside. We cut off the septic drain to protect it and the water line to the BR. As you may know we have temporary power back up so that the water can get to the cows. We have taken 3 loads of metal to Biltmore Iron including the golf cart remnants. There is probably one more to go.

Update

Folks,

I visited the old barn site today at 1:30 PM, less than one week after the fire. Heavy equipment was on site. The site has not been fully released by the powers that be. Equipment is in place for clean up as soon as that release happens. We met with the Architect and Builder last Friday morning and handed over schematics and conceptual drawings for the new barn structure. There will be 3 dimensional renderings available to view ASAP.

We've had an overwhelming showing of support from our friends and community. Words can't express what that means to the M7 and Claxton Farm Families. We are looking forward to hosting our first event on May 1, 2010 and MANY more events in the future.

All the best,

Joe

Joe Lasher, President
M7 Event Solutions and Catering
Operating Claxton Farm Events since 1996

Progress Report

Folks,

I can't tell you how impressed I am with the Buncombe County Sheriff's Dept and our Arson investigators. They have done a superb job and are still working the criminal investigation.

Today at 9:30 AM, we are meeting with Builder and Architect. Preliminary design of the new barn has been drawn. We'll work with the architect to have renderings and plans available for posting on this blog very soon.

Clean up of the burn site will begin as soon as investigators release the site. We anticipate resuming client tours NEXT weekend.

Please subscribe to this Blog if you wish to have regular updates...and...please feel free to forward it to anyone who is connected to Claxton Farm.

Joe

Letter from M7 President, Joe Lasher

Team,

We are all saddened by the loss of our historic Barn at Claxton Farm. As you may or may not know, M7 Event Solutions was essentially formed on that Flat Top lawn in front of that old barn in February of 1996 when Martha Ann Claxton and I met to discuss possibilities. Over the last 14 years, we’ve grown into the company that we are today. The barn evolved with our company over the years with the addition of lights, then restrooms, then stage and bar area modifications. After that came beverage equipment, refrigeration equipment and more storage. A new roof was added and more electricity to accommodate the growing demand. We modified and modified the old barn, always trying to keep the rustic simplicity and charm. It is tragic to lose all of the history and effort that went into making the barn what it was in the end.

I was out of town when the fire occurred Monday evening and cut my trip short. As I drove across NC, I thought of all the personal events that have happened for me in that old barn. My son’s first birthday party; my grandparents 50th anniversary; my sister’s wedding; my tenth anniversary celebration; and countless other personal moments. I did not know what emotions would flow when I saw the charred remains of the building. As I rounded the curve and turned into the gravel drive leading up the barn site, my spirits were lifted. Yes, the barn was gone, but the view and setting were more clear and more majestic than I’d ever seen. I realized that I was experiencing Claxton Farm like I did the FIRST time I met Martha Ann in the winter of 1996. My heart and mind were flooded with possibility!

Shortly after I arrived at the site and had spoken with the investigators, I moved to the side of the Flat Top to reflect on the situation. Porter Claxton drove up and exited his vehicle. We met on the Flat Top lawn like we have 1000 times before, but in this new setting. His first comment was “Joe, this has opportunity written all over it”. He doesn’t know it, but he got the words out before I could.

Folks, I want you to know that the plan is DEFINITELY to regroup and rebuild. And, although the old barn is a tragic loss, we have the opportunity to recreate all that was GREAT about the barn….the charm and simplicity of design….and put it into a fully functional event venue that will allow us to introduce even more people to our mountains and the majesty of Claxton Farm through events held well into the future. We are meeting and discussing this immediately and regularly and will continue to do so until the plans are in place and construction has begun.

Please forward this letter to all past, present and future Claxton Farm Clients. They need to know that we have set up a BLOG at www.claxtonfarm.blogspot.com that they can visit for updates and to share their comments and stories. I strongly encourage anyone that is considering their event at Claxton Farm in 2010 to go forward with securing their date now. Plans will be unveiled over the coming weeks. If they are dissatisfied with the direction we are going, then deposits will be refunded. I truly believe that we are taking a huge step to reassure the community and our industry partners that Claxton Farm will REMAIN a premier event destination long into the future.

Thank you so much for your work and efforts during this time!

With much appreciation,

Joe


Joe Lasher, President
M7 Event Solutions & Catering