The Evolution of Uptown Charlotte, 1940-1980
Description
This walking tour uses architecture along the Tryon Street corridor to build the story of Charlotte's growth in the mid-century period between 1940 and 1980.
Designed in 1949 by architecture firm Schutz and Armistead, the new Sears Roebuck & Company building on the edge of downtown Charlotte marked the introduction of suburban-style shopping into the city.
616 N Tryon, built 1965
520 N Tryon, built 1956
Once one of the finest hotels in Charlotte, if not the South, the Barringer Hotel hosted Hollywood greats and the politically powerful between its opening in 1940 and closure in 1975. Following a long period of decline, the hotel was converted into an apartment home for the elderly. The building now serves a residence for homeless women and their families.
Built 1907-1909The first local landmark designated in uptown in 1976.
The Main branch of Charlotte’s Public Library is in the heart of the city center. The 157,000 sq. ft. building anchors Charlotte’s Arts & Education district and provides many services including materials, programs and meeting rooms to Charlotte residents. Located on the back wall of the first floor of the library is a large mosaic work by Romare Bearden, Before Dawn. Before Dawn came about when Bearden was commissioned by CharlotteMecklenburg Art in Public Places and The Charlotte Observer and planned to complete an original work for the city’s new Main Library in 1988. However. Bearden died of a stroke before completing the work. The Library has use of Before Dawn, a large format piece that depicts images from Bearden’s childhood visits to his grandparents’ home in Charlotte as a mosaic reproduction. The mosaic is made from glass tiles forged by the Corvatto Maosaic Company in Ital
Discovery Place has interactive exhibits for children of all ages and adults. The complex includes an IMAX Theater as well as several other theaters and several floors of interactive exhibits along with shows about everything from dinosaurs to the science of fire. There are play areas for the youngest children and even some exhibits that adults will love. For example, guests will encounter organisms and creatures from across the globe in World Alive, an exhibit that includes learning laboratories as well as an aquarium and rainforest.
129 W TradeWachovia BuildingBuilt 1958Designed by Harrison & Abramovitz, local architect of record A. G. Odell & Associates
Built 1974Designed by Odell Associates101 S Tryon
200 S TryonBuilt 1961Designed by Freeman White Associates (formerly Walter C. Hook and Associates)
Built 1967Designated a local landmark in 2002, amended 2007
Built 1971Designed by J. N. Pease Associates301 S Tryon
NCNB Building built 1974, designed by Little & Associates, 400 S Tryon
139 S Tryon, built 1967
330 S Tryon, built 1962