It was home to the Asheville Altitude basketball team in the NBDL, before the franchise moved to Tulsa in 2005 and the United Hockey League's Asheville Smoke and also the SPHL's Asheville Aces. The arena was the first venue of its type in the city. As downtown was declining due to suburban development and malls, the complex would be a way to help downtown make a comeback. In July 1968, the Asheville City Council approved a civic center plan which would add an exhibition center, meeting space and an arena to Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. Banquet Hall is a ballroom that holds nearly 500 guests.Opening in January 1940, it was renovated in 1974 and reopened December 1975.

The auditorium was originally built in 1939 as a part of the Works Progress Administration. Thomas Wolfe Auditorium (originally the 'Asheville City Auditorium' from 1940 to 1975) is a horseshoe-shaped theatre located to the north of the arena.Arena (formerly the 'Asheville Civic Center Arena' from 1974–2011) is the main arena/venue of the civic center.Opened in 1974, the complex is home to an arena, auditorium, banquet hall and meeting rooms. Cellular Center and originally as the Asheville Civic Center Complex, is a multipurpose entertainment center, located in Asheville, North Carolina. The Harrah's Cherokee Center – Asheville, previously known as the U.S. Asheville Championship ( NCAA Basketball) (2021–present)

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