Things I like around my neighborhood in Charlotte. Part II

Revolution Pizza and Ale House in NoDa

Commercial activity that is modestly housed within past architecture.  Scattered throughout my neighborhood in Charlotte are remnants of past history in the form of mills, fire stations, and houses that have been given new life in the form of current businesses.  These vary in function and include restaurants, cafes, shops, and salons.  By being housed in existing structures that have historic value, businesses act as a continuation, almost a tribute, to the architectural history of the city.  This is much preferred over a business that sharply stands out in a manner which forces advertisement onto the public.  It’s also appropriate in the sense that many of the restaurants and shops are of local origin or house local products.

clockwise from top left: Cottage Chic, Monarch, Coral, Starbucks 

I can also appreciate this from the point of view of adaptive reuse.  There are indeed several practical economic advantages to adaptive reuse over new construction such as cost, tax incentives for certain historic structures, and time.  However, what is more readily apparent is the aesthetic component.   There are a variety of approaches that can be used in adaptive reuse that range from almost seamless integration to combining old and new, and sharp contrast.  I myself tend to prefer a sharp contrast.  I like to see where and how the old meets with the new, and I like for each time period to act as a foil to the other. 

Dilworth Court

One place where I have seen this so far is the Re Salon and Med Spa in Dilworth, housed within the previous Fire Station No.2.  The salon has a pleasantly light and airy aesthetic to it, being mostly white and neutral on the interior, contrasting with the red brickwork on the exterior.  Mosaic tiles surround the mirrors in the styling stations and from oval shaped mirrors, one can see the other ‘mosaic’; that of brickwork exposed on the interior, creating a graceful moment of past reflected in the present. 

Re Salon and Med Spa in Dilworth

Having read about previous threats of demolishing the fire station, I was pleasantly surprised that is still stands and stands quite well.   Being mindful of its context, the Re Salon and Med Spa, like other businesses, not only help to retain the city’s past, but also celebrate it with new design and function that is mindful of its context.

Things I like around my neighborhood in Charlotte. Part I

Little Sugar Creek Greenway, brick wall in Noda, Independence Square, Dilworth Church

Variety is the spice of life.  I admit to starting with a cliché, but I’ll quickly redeem myself by noting the origins of this saying.  It derives from a poem, “The Task” by William Cowper.  The poem also mentions imagery of varied places from “opulent” London and “Saba’s spicy groves,” to a “rustic bridge,” monumental colonnade, and town and country.

Any place one resides similarly needs a diversity of places, which vary in scale, mood, and aesthetics.  Quite simply, different people enjoy different things and our communities should be reflective of that inherent diversity.  Variety also allows a place adaptability, and a richness that may not otherwise be achieved.  It makes one further appreciate a place that would contrast from another one nearby.  In this way each place is both appreciated in and of itself and acts as a foil to bring out the uniqueness of others. 

I like that around my home in Charlotte, I can choose from a variety of neighborhoods that have their own character, each within a 5 mile radius.  If I want a laid back, yet spontaneous and eclectic scene, I can head to NoDa, the historic arts district.  The majority of businesses are housed in refurbished brick structures; some having been painted colorful colors like purple and green.   Shops offering artwork and jewelry, and music venues often support the diverse local talent that also enliven the streets at night.  Plaza-Midwood is another unassuming neighborhood which, similar to NoDa, is replete with small local restaurants, which I tend to prefer over the big chains.  There are many charming Arts and Crafts bungalows located here on Thomas Avenue.   The Metropolitan in Midtown has a more trendy and upscale feel with its modern high end shopping and dining, and an outdoor stage which hosts concerts.  A lovely greenway is located nearby.  Being the residential architecture afficionado that I am, I love driving around Dilworth to see the beautiful historic homes of varied styles such as Victorian and Colonial Revival, all framing lovely tree lined streets and boulevards.  A portion of this characteristic neighborhood is registered as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.  Three parks are scattered within 3 miles of my home, each having their own unique landscape as well.  Binding all this together is uptown Charlotte, or the urban core of greater Charlotte which is located roughly in the center of surrounding neighborhoods.

I have been here for only a few weeks now, and am enjoying exploring these diverse neighborhoods nestled alongside one another, with an urban experience always nearby.  If “Variety is the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavour,” this girl with eclectic taste is surely finding gusto here.