Chronicle Mill

Constructed in 1901 by renowned local merchant R.L. Stowe, Chronicle Mill was the first textile mill in Belmont, NC that eventually was abandoned after spinning its final thread in 2010. Despite renovations throughout the years, the building lacked appeal for redevelopment due to its industrial past as well as numerous easements & ordinances. When it was finally targeted for reuse as a multifamily building, a seemingly insurmountable list of hurdles nearly throttled the project before it began. Through continued collaboration, the redevelopment of an icon will continue having a community impact well beyond what the original creators could have imagined.

The structure of the mill is a mixture of concrete on a steel deck with a steel frame dating back to the 1970s, steel columns with wood decking dating back to the 1930s, and heavy timber columns & beams with pine decking dating back to the original construction.  The interior design concept pays homage to the original purpose of the Mill, as well as the significant role it continues to play in the community of Belmont. Some elements of the design, such as the hand-woven art panels and rope ceiling element in the clubhouse, represent obvious ties to the textile industry while other elements are much more subtle. Many FF&E pieces within the amenity spaces feature salvaged and repurposed items from the original mill. The newly developed retail, F+B space, & large outdoor gathering areas encourage the public to take part in reclaiming Chronicle Mill as the social hub of Belmont.