After years of planning, redevelopment of the former Wilmore Elementary School is moving forward. Charlotte Business Journal reports that Avery Hall, SF Holdings and United Bank have broken ground on the 3.3-acre project at 428 West Boulevard.

A Historic Charlotte School Enters a New Phase

Wilmore Elementary opened in 1925 and was designed by Charlotte architect Louis H. Asbury Sr. The building received a major expansion in 1948 and another addition in 1970 before the school closed in 1978.

The school was designated a local historic landmark in 2018. Its history and architectural significance are documented by the Mecklenburg County Historic Landmarks Commission.

Rather than clearing the school from the property, the project centers on adaptive reuse. The historic building will be rehabilitated alongside new residential construction, with alterations subject to the applicable preservation review process.

175 Residences and New Retail Planned

The current construction plan includes 175 multifamily and townhome residences plus approximately 3,500 square feet of retail. The residential mix will introduce additional housing options while the commercial space could support services available to residents and the surrounding neighborhood.

The City of Charlotte approved the property’s rezoning in May 2024. Although the rezoning authorized as many as 250 residences, the project now under construction calls for 175.

The approved rezoning also requires at least 5% of the multifamily units actually constructed to remain permanently affordable to households earning no more than 80% of the area median income. The final number will depend on the completed unit mix.

Pedestrian Improvements Along West Boulevard

The property sits at West Boulevard and South Mint Street, less than one-half mile from the LYNX Blue Line’s East/West Boulevard station.

Approved transportation commitments include a 12-foot multi-use path along West Boulevard, an eight-foot planting strip and eight-foot sidewalk along portions of Mint Street and Kingston Avenue, and pedestrian ramp and signal improvements at West Boulevard and Mint Street.

These connections could make walking between Wilmore, South End, the Rail Trail and nearby businesses more practical while leaving the neighborhood’s interior residential streets largely unchanged.

What This Could Mean for Wilmore Real Estate

The redevelopment adds housing, retail and pedestrian infrastructure close to Uptown and South End while retaining a recognized neighborhood landmark. It also provides an important example of how new construction can be combined with historic preservation.

No individual development guarantees higher property values. Its effect on a particular Wilmore home will depend on location, property condition, construction activity, street access and broader Charlotte market conditions.

Buyers and homeowners should evaluate nearby development at the property level. In Wilmore, distance from the project, historic-district requirements and access to South End can create different considerations from one block to another.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is being built at the former Wilmore School?
The current project includes 175 multifamily and townhome residences and approximately 3,500 square feet of retail. The historic school will remain part of the development.

Is Wilmore Elementary School being demolished?
No. The project centers on preserving and adaptively reusing the historic school while adding new construction. Specific exterior changes remain subject to preservation approvals.

Will the redevelopment include income-restricted housing?
Yes. Under the approved rezoning, at least 5% of the multifamily units actually constructed must remain permanently affordable to households earning no more than 80% of the area median income.

Considering a Move in or Around Wilmore?

Wilmore combines historic housing with access to South End and Uptown, making block-by-block context especially important. Explore current Charlotte homes for sale or connect with Stone Realty Group for help evaluating recent sales, nearby development and individual properties.