Listed by NAI Piedmont Triad
Unpriced
Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI)
Details
Property Type Special Purpose
Sub Type Telecom/Data Center, School
Broker Co-Op Yes
Year Built 1963
Year Renovated 1999
Buildings 30
Acreage 192.000
Ownership 501(c)(3) public nonprofit foundation
Seize this rare opportunity to invest in a legacy of innovation
Marketing description
Located in Western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) is a designated International Dark Sky Park and offers a unique opportunity to acquire a scientific and educational campus steeped in history. Originally built by NASA and later operated by the Department of Defense, the site spans over 192 acres surrounded by 512,000 acres of national forest. It features advanced astronomical infrastructure, including large radio telescopes, laboratories, and conference facilities. PARI is ideally designed for institutional, research, educational, or innovative private use.
1963–1981
NASA Origins
Established in 1963 as the Rosman Space Tracking and Data Acquisition Facility (STADAN), this facility was part of NASA’s global network supporting missions such as Project Gemini and Apollo. In 1964, it received the first images of Earth from space via the Nimbus-1 satellite, and in 1967, it captured the first TV transmission from space via ATS-1. “Antenna 85-I was the first eightyfive-foot-wide dish constructed in the continental United States specifically for NASA scientific satellites. Rosman Station had advance capabilities and was an important member of NASA’s STADAN network of ground stations.” (Gralley)
1981–1995
NSA Operations
Transferred to the Department of Defense National Security Agency in 1981, the unclassified site was renamed the Rosman Research Station (RRS) and repurposed for signals intelligence during the Cold War, intercepting satellite communications. “By 1985, the DoD began to invest heavily in the two-decades-old facility, spending reportedly $200 million on capital improvements that included upgrades to nearly every building. A redundant cooling system and a $500,000 electrical substation were added to ensure uninterrupted operations.” (Gralley) During this era, a smiley face was famously painted on one of the radio dishes.
1999 – Present
Public Reopening
In 1999, a 501(c)(3) public nonprofit foundation organization acquired the site and established PARI, “transforming it from a military site to a center for public education and research in STEM astronomy and space science. The former Rosman Research Station would become the non-for-profit Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI). Today, PARI’s Astronomical Photographic Data Archive (APDA) is the second-largest plate repository in the world. Investment of $3 million was spent to adapt telescopes to slow motion tracking to be used by students around the world. Now a public site, PARI hosts space exploration summer camps and offers overnight retreats for guests who want to stay in the newly built cabins on campus and experience nighttime viewing of the dark sky.” (Gralley)
Investment highlights
- Legacy infrastructure from NASA and the NSA
- Over $240 million in legacy infrastructure has been invested in the site since its inception.
- Approx. 94,346 SF air-conditioned built space across 30+ buildings, expandable by another 200,000 SF
- Operational radio and optical telescopes
- On-site lodging and STEM education programs
- Short- and long-term infrastructure scalability (including power and fiber)
- Property Name: Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI)
- Address: 1 PARI Drive, Rosman, NC 28772
- Coordinates: 35.1740° N, 82.8650° W
- Parcel Size: 192 Acres
- Ownership: 501(c)(3) public nonprofit foundation
- Price Guidance: Sale subject to review and approval by the North Carolina Attorney General in accordance with charitable asset transfer regulations
- Video: https://youtu.be/HZpR0RE7GQ0
- Total Square Footage: Approx. 94,346 SF – of that 30,000 SF is raised floor. Existing air-conditioned built space expandable by another 200,000 SF
- Key Structures Include:
- Administrative and welcome center
- Research laboratories
- Exhibit halls and library
- Dormitories and staff housing
- Cafeteria, kitchen, and dining facilities
- Observatory and planetarium Construction: Original circa 1963; significant renovations since 1999
- Utilities: Electricity, septic, potable water, broadband » Access: Year-round paved road access; on-site helipad
- Topography: Rolling terrain with ridgetop views » Environmental Designations: Located within Pisgah National Forest; International Dark Sky Park
- The cafeteria can accommodate up to 200 people standing, 160 seated with chairs only, or 120 with tables and chairs. It is capable of producing up to 500 meals per day.
- Site has five wells that produce more than 80 gallons of water per minute.
- Property includes well maintained helipad suitable for daytime helicopter landings
- Asheville Regional Airport: 36 miles (52 min drive time)
- Oconee County Regional Airport: 54 miles (1 hour 21 min drive time)
- Anderson Regional Airport: 67 miles (1 hour 44 min drive time)
- Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport: 70 miles (1 hour 44 min drive time)
Listing Contacts
Listed by NAI Piedmont Triad
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