Site of proposed Tryon Towers in 1967, designed by A. G. Odell &amp; AssociatesNCNB Building built 1974, designed by Little &amp; Associates

Sketch of proposed Tryon Towers at 400 South Tryon Street

NCNB Building built 1974, designed by Little &amp; Associates, 400 S Tryon

400 South Tryon Street

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.

The Evolution of Uptown Charlotte, 1940-1980

Designed in 1949 by architecture firm Schutz and Armistead, the new Sears Roebuck &amp; Company building on the edge of downtown Charlotte marked the introduction of suburban-style shopping into the city.

Sears Roebuck & Company

Wachovia Bank & Trust Branch

520 N Tryon

When it opened shortly before Christmas of 1940, the Barringer Hotel was one of the largest and grandest in Charlotte, if not the entire South. The 12-story property was named for William Rufus Barringer, who owned a number of hotels, by his children.&nbsp; In its heyday, the Barringer Hotel hosted Gene Autry, Betty Grable, Judy Garland, and Richard Nixon were guests there. According to rumor, Elvis was also a guest at the property. In 1952, an addition was made to the hotel, adding a 120 rooms to the property. At that time, the hotel boasted hand-painted wallpaper in the dining room and antique paintings in the lobby. Over the years, the property changed names and owners multiple times. The hotel, known at the time as the Cavalier Hotel, closed in 1975. In 1983, the city purchased and renovated the property and began using it as low-income homes for the elderly. More recently, the property serves as residences for homeless women and their children. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. There is an interesting side-note to the Barringer Hotel: it once reportedly hosted what may have been Charlotte's first gay club. Researchers have found references to the Bamboo Room Bar in the Barringer, which hosted gay men on Thursday nights.&nbsp;

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. 

Barringer Hotel (Hall House)

Built 1907-1909The first local landmark designated in uptown in 1976.

First Baptist Church/Spirit Square

The City of Charlotte proudly claims Bearden as its own although the Charlotte-born artist lived most of his life in New York City. At the time of his death in 1988, Bearden was recognized as one of the most important artists of the Twentieth century. He was particularly known for collage, an artist process named from the French “to paste up.” Bearden’s reputation in collage is so strong that his name is almost synonymous for term, collage. Typical of many artists, Bearden did not make a living as an artist until late in his career. Then, his success came almost “overnight.” The trajectory of the breakout of his career was roughly eight years from his official discovery to the famous MoMA show, the first for an African American artist. Although he received recognition, Bearden’s work was undervalued. In 1980, at the time of the first Mint show in Charlotte, his paintings sold for less than $3000, By the time of the second Mint show in 2011, the price for his art was $100,000 and higher. Today, Bearden’s art has appreciated even more. Luckily, there are works by Bearden, like at the Main Library, that are available for easy viewing by the public.

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


CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG LIBRARY - MAIN LIBRARY - ROMARE BEARDEN MURAL

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.

Discovery Place

129 W TradeWachovia BuildingBuilt 1958Designed by Harrison &amp; Abramovitz, local architect of record A. G. Odell &amp; Associates

129 West Trade

Built 1974Designed by Odell Associates101 S Tryon

NCNB Plaza

200 S TryonBuilt 1961Designed by Freeman White Associates (formerly Walter C. Hook and Associates)

The Evolution of Uptown Charlotte, 1940-1980

400 South Tryon Street

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources