NoDa Wandry

As a key piece in Charlotte’s newly coined “Mill District”, the Johnston Mill sat derelict for upwards of a decade before being brought back to life in 2023. The original structure, a two-story structure built in 1916 with additions in 1926 and 1929, has been converted into a mix of 84 market-rate and affordable apartment units. The project was submitted to the NC SHPO and NPS in order to be placed on the historic registry and be applicable for historic tax credits. The design team played a key role in maintaining the design intent from the first community meeting through the completion of the documentation required for NPS. Some of the challenges presented by the structure’s disrepair include a collapsed area of the roof, basement walls without footings and significant wood rot. The design takes advantage of a number of these challenges in order to create vibrant new spaces, including a two-story clubhouse with an exposed structure and a basement-level art production room.

BB+M was able to successfully utilize the guidelines set forth by the historic preservation process to create a modern rehabilitation of an important piece in NoDa’s history.