CHARLOTTE HOMES  Driving through Charlotte neighborhoods they are easy to spot! Recognizable by odd sized and often tall windows, clean vertical and horizontal lines, sometimes stark lack of ornamentation and unusual mixtures of building materials – flat or textured panels, stone, and brick, for instance. The movement toward Contemporary-style homes began in the 1950’s as architects designed flat and gabled roof types – often ranches – now labeled the Mid Century Modern home.  Examples can be found throughout Charlotte subdivisions built during that era like Cotswold, Stonehaven, Lansdowne, to name a few.
Since then, Contemporary architecture has continued to evolve, utilizing newer building products such as Hardie board siding (made from fiber cement), modular concrete, and composition stones.  Spans and ceiling heights have increased, allowing larger, more open floor plans.  Architects have taken full advantage by improving Mid Century Modern home’s dimensions, notably in bedrooms and family living spaces.  Ceiling heights have soared. Bathrooms have expanded beyond merely functional.  Closets and storage have improved to meet the need of “bulk buyers”.
Contemporary architecture still follows an adventuresome, creative crowd.  Thus, The Arts District is a particularly receptive of individualistic contemporary urban design.  In NoDa, life truly emulates art!
Folks know that NoDa is home to Charlotte’s Historic Arts District. See www.noda.org.
The neighborhood offers an eclectic mix of urban funkiness with inspiring art galleries, fun restaurants and unique shops centered along North Davidson Street.  Many of the early 1900’s mill homes have been restored, remodeled, and significantly updated, often with an urban flair.  Infill custom builders have found lots or tear downs and constructed their own versions of bungalow style homes with modern features.  Significantly, The Arts District boasts the highest concentration of newer Contemporary homes around town.  This style is a natural fit for NoDa living. Done well, Contemporary architecture can be its own work of art!
A great example is the newly built home at 2919 Wesley Avenue. MLS # 867331. This home takes Mid Century Modern and raises the roof – literally.  Ceiling heights soar.  The master bedroom and bath suite is in the tree tops. In the Wesley home each room is designed for comfortable, better living. The bedrooms are angular, not a simple single square, allowing for segmented sleeping and sitting areas in each room.  Closets are large. Stained, glazed concrete floors grace the front porch and the living room. Picture windows are stacked above double hung windows for increased natural light. A Sun Tube illuminates the stairwell.