Renovations are advancing at the Pittsboro Community House!
Originally constructed in 1936, this stone building once served as the Town Library and later as a Union Hall. More recently the space has been used for events. This charming community house has a large front porch and a 900 sq ft main hall (accommodating ~140 people).
We hope to see you at this year’s Preservation NC Conference in Durham! Oct. 4th - 6th
Founded in 1939, Preservation NC promotes and protects buildings and landscapes of our state’s diverse heritage. It has saved more than 800 endangered historic properties, generating an estimated $350 million in private investment.
If you (like us) have an interest in preserving our state’s architectural treasures - you should sign up! Registration is open and events are filling up fast!
Restoration is underway at Kadesh A.M.E. Zion Church in Edenton.
Kadesh was constructed in 1897 by Hannibal Badham Jr., a church member and member of a family of skilled African American craftsmen in the Edenton community. Since that time, the building has served as a place of rest and refuge for travelers as well as a beacon for faith and education in the community. In 2003 the building was heavily damaged and rendered unusable from the wrath of Hurricane Isabel. Over time the Kadesh congregation rallied the Edenton community to restore the beloved building, and was awarded a matching grant from the National Fund for Sacred Spaces to stabilize the structure. In 2020 we partnered with the congregation, the Kadesh Restoration Committee and the Edenton Historical Commission to kick off the project.
Check out this beauty!
Just 4 miles south of downtown Raleigh (off of Tryon Rd) you’ll find The Maxwell - a family owned and operated wedding and event venue. Design work began in 2019 with the goal of blending old world charm and modern design for a flawless event experience. Since opening in March of 2021, The Maxwell has rapidly become a premier event venue in the Raleigh area.
The NC chapter of NOMA (National Organization for Minority Architects) recently held its 5th Annual Project Pipeline summer camp. The week-long experience (orchestrated by our own Marisa along with a handful of dedicated volunteers) provided 6th - 12th grade students the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of architecture and design. After being held virtually the past few years, it was especially exciting for the camp to be in person this year!
Restoration of the Andrews-Duncan House (ca 1879) was an immense undertaking to preserve and rehabilitate the property at 407 N. Blount St. The home is located in the North Blount St Historic District and is a Raleigh Historic Landmark. The new owners demonstrated courage when they agreed to purchase the historic property after it sat vacant under major threat of demolition due to years of neglect. The restoration was completed with respect to the historic covenants placed on the property upon the sale by the State of NC.
Another completed Historic Tax Credit Project!
Originally built in 1922, the Hagan Building embodies a style popular to Wilson in the 20s - two-story masonry with brick panel accents and cast concrete details. The ten-bay 2nd story has two-over-two sash windows as well as a panel of forty glass squares built into the floor, situated under a skylight to allow natural light to reach the first floor (photo included!). Handsome pressed metal ceilings add to the space’s charm.
From South St to Dupont Circle - Boulted Bread’s new home is just a few blocks away from its original location where all the baked goodness began in 2014. The reason for the relo? More space!
This adaptive re-use project transformed an existing 4,600 sq ft warehouse building into a bakery and cafe retail space. One of the primary design goals was maintaining Boulted’s ingrained family and friends vibe.
Vets Pets has a new location!
Built in 1961, this mid-century, 6,700 sq ft structure was originally designed to function as a mortuary and funeral home, and operated as such under different ownerships over the years. The large brick building is an excellent illustration of 1960’s architecture, drawing on International Style with its flat roof and unadorned exterior.
The East Raleigh - South Park National Register Historic District has statewide significance as the largest historic black neighborhood in Raleigh, and one of the largest urban black residential and cultural concentrations in NC. The 30-block area lies east and south of downtown Raleigh, and is predominantly residential with working-class and middle-class housing, churches, and small grocery stores.
At 301 S Swain St. sits a 1920’s, 3-bay brick church with a steeply pitched slate roof and stained-glass windows on all floors. Originally the site of First Vanguard Presbyterian Church, this building has been home to multiple congregations over the years, briefly serving as a Salvation Army location, and eventually left vacant.
Big things are taking place at 905 W Morgan St! We created this video rendering (shoutout to Marisa!) to preview the design concept and updates for the building. Some of you may have already seen the expanded front patio, and a back deck is being added as well. The indoor space is opening up, creating a pleasant flow between the upper and lower levels. Get ready for new amenities and more space to enjoy great drinks and great people! Click Read More for the video rendering.
Following its completion in 2021, Heights House’s acclaim has continued to grow… named One of the Best New Hotels in the World by Travel & Leisure in 2022, and it was recently featured as a “Where to Stay” hotel in the Carolinas by Food Network Magazine (May/June 2023 issue).
The mansion, originally known as Montfort Hall, was built in 1858 for William Montfort Boylan. Today the pre-civil war building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a Raleigh Historic Landmark. The property was purchased by the current owners in 2018, and was renovated over the next 3 years. With restored 15-foot plaster ceilings and original hardwood floors, the design concept sought to highlight the original construction while balancing the repairs, updates and modern touches that would transform the historic structure into the one and only Heights House.
Havoc Brewing Company is open! Make sure you visit this 8,500 square foot brewery in the heart of downtown Pittsboro - one of the fastest growing communities in the state.
Originally home to Justice Motor Company, this warehouse space was carefully adapted into a flagship brewery which includes a taproom with plenty of seating (ample outdoor seating as well!), a 15-barrel production brewhouse, and a 1-barrel pilot brewhouse.
Last Thursday we celebrated an incredible milestone…our 30 year anniversary! And we did it in the best way - spending time with and showing gratitude to our clients, friends, and family, without whom we wouldn’t be here!
The party featured food and beverages from a number of our clients, and a plethora of client swag. Each guest had a chance to draw a card and select an item of swag to take home with them!
Swipe to see some fun moments from the event as well as some from the party prep - including the assembly of a swag table and a beer-a-myd!
Spring has sprung and The Upchurch is looking fantastic!!
The Upchurch-Williams House (built in 1905) was donated to Capital Area Preservation along with 5.5 acres of land in 2014. The house was moved to its present location in Cary the following year, and for the past 3 years we have been working with the owners on the renovation of the Main House and the design of the new 4,200 square foot Conservatory. The wedding and event venue recently opened their doors and is available for booking on their website.
Historic Images: Capital Area Preservation
After partnering with the Juniper Level Baptist Church Community Alliance in 2013 to begin work on the restoration of Panther Branch Rosenwald school, we are excited to be partnering with them again for a feasibility study to preserve and enhance 10 acres of wetlands in the Panther Branch community!
The project includes the concept design of an observatory and educational center, as well as walkways, boardwalks, and observatory vistas vistas to safely increase public access to the site (minimizing disturbance to the natural setting). Wetlands enhancements will also increase the capacity for habitats of endangered species.
Last week we attended the AIA Walking Tour at Dix Park, co-led by our own Meredith Kirkpatrick and Brandy Thompson from Clearscapes. The tour was centered around adaptive re-use at Dix Park and was followed by a panel discussion about equity, inclusion, and the community engagement process at the park.
