{"id":3239,"date":"2026-07-14T06:34:20","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T06:34:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=3239"},"modified":"2026-07-14T06:34:20","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T06:34:20","slug":"charlotte-architects-try-to-save-historic-facade-from-demolition-for-data-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=3239","title":{"rendered":"Charlotte architects try to save historic facade from demolition for data center"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Charlotte branch of a national architect organization is opposing the pending demolition of a 100-year-old building\u2019s historic facade<\/a> in uptown.<\/p>\n

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But the developer, who is planning to expand an existing data center<\/a> at the site, has already filed for a demolition permit with Mecklenburg County.<\/p>\n

The Charlotte branch of the American Institute of Architects, or AIA, wants to save the facade of the Court Arcade<\/a> building at 725 Trade St.<\/p>\n

The building was constructed in the mid-1920s by architect William Peeps, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission.<\/p>\n

Texas-based Digital Realty Trust,<\/a> a major data center builder with over 300 centers in more than 25 countries, owns the building and already operates a data center at the site. It also operates several other data centers in the area at 731 E. Trade St.; 113 North Myers St.; and 125 North Myers St.<\/p>\n

But Digital Realty wants to expand its operations in Charlotte.<\/p>\n

In October, Digital Realty filed a demolition permit for the site. While the group planned to demolish most of the building, Digital Realty at that point intended to preserve the facade, which includes the arched entryway and covered setback. Those features are what makes the building a part of arcade architecture.<\/p>\n

The company had worked with the Historic Landmarks Commissions for a few months this year to save the facade, commission director Stewart Gray previously said. But that\u2019s no longer the case.<\/p>\n

On July 7, Digital Realty filed for a new permit to demolish the entire building.<\/p>\n

Now, Charlotte AIA is looking to stop the demolition.<\/p>\n

The group, which represents the 12 counties centered around Charlotte, put out a statement recently asking for the city\u2019s support to stop the proposed demolition.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fa\u00e7ade in question represents more than a remnant of the past; it is a visible marker of Charlotte\u2019s architectural evolution,\u201d AIA Charlotte said in its statement. \u201cIts removal would set a concerning precedent for future development in areas where historic identity and urban fabric are essential to Charlotte\u2019s sense of place.\u201d<\/p>\n

The permit hasn\u2019t been approved yet, according to Mecklenburg County representatives. And if the building had been designated a historic landmark by the county commission or another entity, the permit would have to go through a historic review.<\/p>\n

But the Court Arcade was never designated as a landmark.<\/p>\n

Digital Realty previously said saving the facade wasn\u2019t feasible. It is still going through the permitting process, a spokesman for the data center developer said. So, a demolition date hasn\u2019t been set.<\/p>\n

Digital Realty didn\u2019t immediately respond to a request for comment Friday on AIA Charlotte\u2019s stance.<\/p>\n

But AIA Charlotte is hoping Digital Realty works with the group to help save the facade, said Kate Shelton, AIA Charlotte\u2019s executive director.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s been a long thing going on in the Charlotte community, buildings getting torn down and built back up with something more modern,\u201d Shelton said. \u201cWe can help come up with solutions that are feasible. Not everything can be saved, but that doesn\u2019t seem to be the case here\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to question, is this all about profit or are you really invested in the community and doing what\u2019s best for the community in all ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Digital Realty has owned and operated data centers in uptown Charlotte for about 20 years.<\/p>\n

And the data center developer is expanding its operations in Charlotte. Even amid resident opposition<\/a> and Charlotte\u2019s June moratorium on data center development and rezoning<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In 2005, Digital Realty purchased three parcels around the Court Arcade for about $17.3 million, according to county property records.<\/p>\n

In October, Digital Realty filed a land development construction plan for the Court Arcade that called for a new four-story data center building with a mechanical yard for supporting electrical equipment and a truck delivery driveway off East Fifth Street.<\/p>\n

Digital Realty is also building one of the biggest data center in North Carolina<\/a>, in west Charlotte, after receiving rezoning approval last year.<\/p>\n

A 3-million-square-foot data center will go up on 156 acres at 12899 Moores Chapel Road, near the Catawba River. The site will house two buildings that could support up to 400 megawatts of IT capacity. Digital Realty purchased the property two years ago for $160 million.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unclear if Digital Realty will revisit saving the facade.<\/p>\n

AIA Charlotte is looking to residents and city council members to help change Digital Realty\u2019s mind on the facade. Especially as more and more of Charlotte\u2019s historic buildings are being torn down<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A century ago, the Court Arcade was an office building for attorneys who needed to visit the Mecklenburg County Courthouse along East Trade Street.<\/p>\n

The building is split into two. The front-portion is two floors and the back is one level.<\/p>\n

The back portion is where the arcade architecture shines. The ceiling is arched and lined with skylights to allow for light in walkway. And each office door mimics a storefront similar to shopping arcade structures.<\/p>\n

The design is part of the \u201carcade\u201d architecture, which is where the building gets its name. Peeps designed two arcade buildings in Charlotte: the Court Arcade and Latta Arcade.<\/p>\n

The Latta Arcade was designated a historic landmark in 1994. The building was recently renovated, but the historic aspects were preserved.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not always the case in Charlotte.<\/p>\n

For example, the 94-year-old Midwood Elementary School<\/a> at 1817 Central Ave. in Plaza Midwood is being torn down for apartment buildings. And several properties in Steele Creek<\/a> near Charlotte Douglas International Airport have been demolished for airport expansion<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a pivotal time in Charlotte,\u201d Shelton said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to continue losing our history, our story and our fabric if this is the road that we continue down and if this is the precedent that new development brings in.\u201d<\/p>\n

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This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 5:17 AM.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

AIA Charlotte opposes Digital Realty\u2019s permit to demolish the Court Arcade at 725 Trade St., urging the city to protect the building\u2019s historic arcade facade.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3238,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3239","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-read-todays-edition"],"yoast_head":"\nCharlotte architects try to save historic facade from demolition for data center - \u0421harlotte Relocation Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=3239\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Charlotte architects try to save historic facade from demolition for data center - 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