Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

Author: Elizabeth Stuart


August 28, 2020

The restoration of the VanLandingham Estate, located at 2010 The Plaza, Charlotte, N.C., is close to completion. This project illustrates a successful collaboration between the current property owners who have undertaken the property’s rehabilitation and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission and the Charlotte Historic District Commission. 

Charlotte Business Journal has more: “What’s next for historic VanLandingham Estate after restoration


August 27, 2020

Plans to rehabilitate the historic Excelsior Club are moving forward. As The Charlotte Post article below notes, the buyer of the property “has put out a call to action for a “dream team” of Black professionals to revitalize the site.”

Darrel Williams, founder of Neighboring Concepts, spoke with The Charlotte Post about his work on the revitalization of the Excelsior Club and what the building means to the African American community: “Darrel Williams’ task: Build the Excelsior Club’s future, nod to past


August 25, 2020

Camp North End, which includes the newly-designated historic landmark, Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant, has been named “one of the first four properties in North America to receive a Fitwel Community Design certification for implementing health benefits as part of their design.” Commercial Property Executive recently interviewed Tommy Mann, Development Director for ATCO Properties & Management, on how the organization is bringing new life into the historic site.

Read the full interview here: “Wellness Meets History at Charlotte’s Camp North End

Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant

 


August 21, 2020

The Charlotte Museum of History’s virtual Charlotte Preservation Awards ceremony held on August 20 showcased many notable properties throughout the area that have been thoughtfully and successfully preserved. The Historic Landmarks Commission would like to congratulate HLC Senior Preservation Planner, Stewart Gray, for his work on the Huntersville Town Jail; HLC Commissioner, Brian Clarke, for being recognized with the Award with Distinction for his restoration of the Sloan-Porter House; and HLC Executive Director, Jack Thomson, for emceeing the night’s ceremony. 

From the Museum:

Congratulations to all our nominees and winners for this year’s Preservation Awards!

Our independent panel of judges were so impressed with all of the nominations – which is why we added the Award with Distinction category!

Here’s a brief overview of the winners:

Infill | Residential: 208 Grandin by Williams Farrow.

This brand-new construction was modeled after a home in the 1923 Sears catalog. This attention to detail means it fits in perfectly with its Wesley Heights neighbors.

Preservation in a Small/Medium Community: Mooresville Historic Wall Mural Restoration.

This new category for 2020 was designed to honor projects in small towns outside Mecklenburg County and the historic mural restoration in Mooresville hit the nail on the head! This project really shows how a small upgrade can have a big impact in a historic downtown.

Excellence in Preservation | Community: Huntersville Town Jail.

The jail is Huntersville’s oldest municipal building, constructed as a public works project during the Great Depression. After years of neglect, the Jail is now a community space and will be the center of a planned pocket park.

Excellence in Preservation | Advocacy: NCModernist.

George Smart founded NCModernist in 2007 and since then his largely volunteer team has documented over 2000 modern homes in North Carolina and about 400 in Charlotte alone. All of this information is free and accessible to architectural enthusiasts, realtors, and anyone who want to find it.

Preservation | Commercial: 2322 Dunavant.

This Southend warehouse was a blank slate and would probably have been torn down by any other developer. But Argos Real Estate Advisors transformed it into the cool mixed-use space it is now. Today, the space contains the restaurant, The Dunavant, with additional space for future offices.

Preservation | Residential: W Park Ave – Historic Wilmore Renovation.

When Sarah & Alex Wheat first looked at this house, it was difficult to see past the decay (and the oil drum weirdly in the living room). Thanks to their strong preservation ethic, their home retains much of its historic charm, including the original windows!

Award with Distinction | Sodoma Law – The Graham.

This historic cotton mill in the heart of Fourth Ward has had many stories over its 100-year lifetime, including a plane crash! Thanks to the efforts of Ratzlaff Construction, CDesign, and SGA | NarmourWright Design, the empty shell was brought back to life, with several historic elements intact or adapted inside the open space.

Award with Distinction | Sloan-Porter House.

The restoration of this 18th century home, one of the few left in the county, was truly a labor of love for Brian Clarke and Sarah Hammett Clarke. Doing much of the work themselves, they restored the home to honor its deep history in the Steele Creek Community.

Congratulations to all these fantastic projects!