The Empire Hotel in Salisbury NC is Under Contract!

The Empire Hotel in downtown Salisbury is one of the largest buildings in the four blocks known as 'The Square', and for years it has held nothing but untapped potential. In August of 2016, long-awaited announcements were made that the circa 1800s hotel was finally under contract! The City of Salisbury revealed details of the first steps toward the sale of the building in the 200 block of South Main Street, and introduced the new owner/developer.


The hotel originally opened in 1859, then known as the Boyden House, after Nathaniel Boyden, a local attorney and political figure. The building is an example of Beaux-Arts architecture, a French term meaning “fine arts,” and the style is known for being highly ornamented.

The hotel was a gathering place during the Civil War, and according to local lore, the hotel was occupied by federal officers following the Civil War, according to the building's history page on the county web site. On April 1, 1870 General Robert E. Lee and his daughter took a carriage from the Salisbury Railway Depot to the Boyden House to have breakfast.

The hotel was remodeled in the early 1900’s by Frank P. Milburn, who designed the Salisbury Depot. After extensive renovations in 1907, the name was changed to Central Hotel and then later, the Empire Hotel. There was once a domed ballroom on the top floor, and local lore suggests that there was a tunnel from the hotel to the Meroney Theatre across the street to allow famous actors, such as Charles Chaplin, to go back and forth without going outside through crowds and inclement weather. The hotel closed in 1963 after 104 years in business. (Whisenant, D., August 11, 2016, http://www.wbtv.com/story/32736179/empire-hotel-sold)


Downtown Salisbury Inc. purchased the building in 2007, and then our Great Recession hit...causing a stall in the development of this wonderful potential in the heart of downtown.

Realtor® Greg Rapp, with Wallace Realty Co. in downtown Salisbury, has been managing leasing varied retail spaces in the Empire Hotel for Downtown Salisbury Inc. for several years.  With Downtown Salisbury's budget constraints and limited maintenance on the structure, leasing these prominent spaces has been an interesting challenge.

History Preservation Partners Holding, LLC (HPPC), known for developing Loray Mill in Gastonia, now has the Empire Hotel under contract, with due diligence expected to last one year, and intends to develop the property into apartments above and street level shops. Initial plans include 29,000 square feet of retail space in the former Montgomery Ward main floor, mezzanine and basement. WOW!

While the Empire is undergoing its 'due diligence' with HPPC, retail leases are likely to be unavailable here, but if you are looking for a prime downtown location for your business, be assured that Greg Rapp can help you find it! Greg was the match that lit the flame under the award-winning Bernhardt Hardware restoration in downtown, and the catalyst for bringing the buyers to the old Stokes-Snider House, now a fabulously restored bed & breakfast.  Greg is on top of the varied grant programs that are available and more to make establishing your business in Salisbury feasible. 

Greg Rapp can make it happen for you, too!




Put this number in your phone:  (704) 213-6846 . . . and when you are ready, give Greg Rapp a call. Together, let's get your business into one of these fabulous spots in historic Downtown Salisbury!

Greg Rapp 
Wallace Realty Co. 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
704 636 2021 Office 
www.realestatesalisbury.net 

More Commercial Opportunities ~ from small to large ~ from purchase to lease!

The timing could not be more right to position your business in Downtown Salisbury! With incentive grants just passed by City Council this Fall, upfits to existing buildings are easier and less financially painful to accomplish!

One of the most special opportunities we have here is the current home of the Okey-Dokey General Store ~ right in the center of town, and on the main corridor that sees over 20,000 automobiles per day!  The building, at 126 E. Innes Street is quite large ~ three stories large ~ with over 4,000 square feet per floor!  Think of the possibilities.

Right around the corner, renovations to the Bernhardt Hardware Building are blossoming at an astounding rate of speed!  This 2-story building will house retail and offices on its first floor, and (6) residential apartments above ~ over looking the city.  

Did the developers take advantage of the new City of Salisbury incentives for downtown structures?  YES!!!  And you can too, and the Okey-Dokey!

Call Greg Rapp at 704.213.6846 to learn more about the building and to see pictures of this fantastic space!

Just outside of center-city Salisbury, but still visible from the main Innes Street corridor, is 1029 Old Innes Street ~ and a wonderful steel beam building in a prime commercial locale, with many, MANY thriving businesses around it. And at just $89,900, when the tax value is at $126,440, the price can’t be beat!!! 

And as if that's not enough, the building has solar heat to help you save on utilities once you're the boss in this fine commercial location! 

Not a city dweller by nature? Check out this potential live/work opportunity just beyond the downtown area of Salisbury... Webb Road Mini-Storage!  This package includes 4) mini-storage buildings, and a single-story brick home, on 4.4 +/- acres right off Interstate 85.  The mini-storage business has been in place since 2001 ~ you wouldn't skip a beat! 

The 2-bedroom home has a finished basement that currently houses the office space for the business.  Time to be your own boss!


If a huge space is just way more than you need....check out this little storefront/office location on E. Council Street!  

E. Council Street in Salisbury is home to lawyers' offices, architects, massage therapists, antique galleries, and Wong's Chinese
Restaurant!  This could be the perfect location for that little shop or office you wanted in the downtown location!  It's one block from the center square in Salisbury, less than that from the beautiful historic Rowan County Courthouse and Rowan Museum buildings, and around the corner from F & M Bank's Financial Center!

To learn more about these and other commercial spaces available in Salisbury and Rowan County, be sure to give Realtor® Greg Rapp a shout!  Greg is in the process of leasing spaces in the aforementioned Bernhardt Hardware Building, and can help you find the ideal space for YOUR business.

 

704.213.6846

GregRappRealtor@gmail.com

Greg Rapp 
Wallace Realty Co. 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
704 636 2021 Office 
www.realestatesalisbury.net 

Commercial Opportunities Abound in Salisbury, North Carolina!

Now is the time to take advantage of the commercial opportunities in historic Downtown Salisbury, NC!

The ca. 1882 Bernhardt Hardware Building

If you've driven down North Main Street in Salisbury, North Carolina lately . . . you can't miss the hustle and bustle that's going on in the 100 block ~ where massive renovations are full-speed-ahead on the historic circa 1882 Bernhardt Hardware Building!  Salisbury City Council just unanimously approved incentive grants for the renovation of the Bernhardt Building on N. Main Street. 

The structure, formerly home to Bernhardt Hardware, is being re-developed for commercial and residential use by Calm Holdings LLC. The grants total $148,155 and will go toward renovation of the building, water and sewer infrastructure and fire-suppression utilities. Once renovated, plans call for the 16,000-square-foot building to have six apartments in the upper level and 7,000+ square feet of commercial space on the first floor. 

Realtor® Greg Rapp sold this important property to Calm Holdings to kick-start this vibrant downtown revitalization. You can contact Greg at (704) 213-6846 to learn more about the available commercial spaces (some are already claimed!) or the residential units above! 

And there are more valuable opportunities in Downtown Salisbury . . . and with the Bernhardt Hardware Building on fast track to completion, these opportunities will be ever more popular!

The ca. 1902 Washington Building

The fabulous Washington Building, directly across from the Bernhardt Hardware renovations, is for sale!  This incredible building must be seen to be believed! The Washington Building at 118 North Main Street was built in 1902 in a Richardsonian Romanesque style, finished with rough-cut granite stones, and boasting beautiful rounded arched windows and a Spanish Mission style element in the shaped gable at the roof line.  

This 3-story, 20,000+ square foot building, with retail space on its street level and office/meeting rooms above, retains many of its original circa 1902 features, such as the imposing grand wood staircase, original doors with transom windows, original light fixtures, and plenty more. The amount of stained and finished, intact original woodwork on this floor is astounding. Meeting rooms and offices alike feature large double-hung windows with broad decorative transoms and deep wood sills and casings, and stained wood baseboard molding. The pebble glass transomed windows and fine woodwork is completely in tact. 

And when you're ready to be completely blown away by the Washington Building's features...visit the 3rd floor...with two large front rooms that face Main Street, and feature the two immense arched windows that are part of the Washington Building’s impressive façade characteristics. The large northeast room has gorgeous brick walls and original fireplace that shares the original chimney with the second floor fireplace. An immense ballroom-esque room sits to the rear of the third floor that is crying out to be a party room or film studio. The room is huge! You will have to see it for yourself! 

Beautifully renovated (awarded the Best Historic Rehabilitation and was the 2005 NC Main Street Award Winner ), this over 20,000 square foot property is for sale for just $650,000.  The top two floors of the building are handsomely restored office space, and the building can be converted to a live-work situation if desired. You, too, can take advantage of the new incentives program for downtown building recently adopted by the City of Salisbury. This building is like no other in Salisbury, and is one of the most impressive buildings along Main Street. Call Greg Rapp at 704.213.6846 to have a look and get in on the Downtown Salisbury movement! 

The ca. 1930 Flowers Bakery Building

Not ready to buy? Perhaps leasing is your preferred option! Check out the former East Square Artworks space on the main floor at 122-B East Innes Street! WOW!  Originally the c. 1930's historic Flowers Bakery Building, and formerly the home/studio of Michael Baker sculpture artist, the building boasts 4500+ square feet of space for lease!  Right smack in the center of Downtown Salisbury, and a stone's throw from Interstate-85, and with great parking availability all around it...this space is IDEAL for any number of enterprises! 

With the coming update of the Bernhardt Hardware Building (soon to be retail on street level with 6-residential spaces above), this might be the time to scoop up this awesome space - located directly behind the exciting Bernhardt Hardware renovation! 

Give Greg a call at 704.213.6846 to see this great space and to get the jump on this awesome opportunity to be at the hub of a downtown revitalization! 

The Wallace Building

For over 20 years, the Wallace Building at 122 East Fisher Street was the home of Las Palmas restaurant...a favorite local watering hole and eatery that featured live music, a full bar, and great menus.  The wonderful ground floor restaurant/bar area looks like it's right out of an old Western movie, complete with its long, curved bar, staircase to the second-story balcony that encircles the room, and hanging light fixtures.  In your imagination, you can almost hear old honky-tonk piano music coming from the corners and picture cowboys toppling from the balcony and swinging from the chandeliers!

Recently renovated, the Wallace Building is the centerpiece of Downtown Salisbury's 'Brick Street' entertainment district....so called because the City repaved this portion of E. Fisher Street with brick, lined it with strands of glove lights, and hosts many street festivals and outdoor concerts in this area.  The Wallace Building has a great multi-space parking lot that goes with this 3-story building (call for information about the upper levels) ~ a rarity and treasured feature in Downtown Salisbury!  The Fisher / S. Lee / S. Main / Innes Street block is home to at perhaps a dozen or more restaurants, wine shops, and pubs ~ creating a thriving downtown culture!  

Give Greg Rapp a shout - 704.213.6846 - to get in on the entertainment scene in Salisbury!

Opportunities Abound!

These are just three of the special opportunities in Downtown Salisbury! There are more ~ from small office or retail spaces, to large properties with potential for retail, residential and more! And don't forget the City's incentive program. The City of Salisbury is very supportive of new development in its downtown area! And Greg Rapp is the agent to call ~ with more knowledge and experience with these fabulous buildings than any other in the area!  Pick up the phone ~ 704.213.6846!

Greg Rapp 
Wallace Realty Co. 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
704 636 2021 Office 
www.realestatesalisbury.net