Perfect for getting those tough wrinkles out of your local Beanstalk giant’s collared shirts, this giant iron, an icon of Asheville, North Carolina, is loved by locals and tourists alike. It was named for the Flatiron building in the city’s historic district.
Artist Reed Todd, a local to Asheville, created this quirky cast iron sculpture. It’s a tongue-in-cheek nod to a certain early 20th-century architectural trend.
Flatiron buildings earned their names due to their resemblance to the triangular cast iron clothing iron used at the time. Asheville’s own Flatiron was built in 1927. The Flat Iron sculpture honoring the iconic building was installed 1997 on Battery Park Ave to celebrate Asheville’s historic past as well as its modern evolution as a hip contemporary city filled with a vibrant art scene.
The sculpture rests on the sidewalk and belongs to the Asheville Public Art Collection. It’s a popular spot among locals, who use it as a space for public performance art, musical performances, or as a landmark when meeting friends before adventuring on to explore all that downtown has to offer. The Flat Iron Sculpture is so beloved by Ashville residents and tourists alike that it even has its own Facebook page.
As a side note, if it wasn’t created by a local artist, it would be easy to believe the giant household good had been tossed down the beanstalk from a giant’s monopoly game, since nobody wants to be the iron.
It is on the corner of Battery Park Ave and Wall St. Street parking is limited to non-existent. Your best bet is to park in one of the nearby parking garages. While you are in the area, the Pinball Museum is nearby and worth the trip!
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