Providence Day opts out of buying Charlotte mansion. What’s next for historic site
Providence Day School had its eyes on buying an 87-year-old historic house in southeast Charlotte, but has since backed away from buying the property, according to a school official.
Neighbors raised fears about the home potentially being bulldozed for athletic fields. But with Providence Day out of the picture, another potential buyer’s plan to save the home could represent a rare win for local preservationists.
Last year, the private school had a purchase agreement to buy Akers Estate, a 6.4 acre-property in the Stonehaven neighborhood. The idea sparked concerns from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission and neighbors who wanted to stop it from being developed or demolished.
Providence Day is buying an 86-year-old mansion. Preservationists want it saved
“This was one of those rare occasions where a community becomes very vocal about trying to save a historic property,” said Stewart Gray, director of the landmarks office.
Dan Morrill, a Charlotte historian who wants to see the building preserved, said there was local concern that the school may use the property for an athletic site and demolish the house.
“Compromise is sometimes the best path to follow because ultimately the determination of what happens with that property rests with the owner,” Morrill said.
Providence Day is no longer pursuing the mansion purchase, according to spokeswoman Michelle Fiscus. The school did not provide additional comments about the decision.
Someone is interested in preserving the mansion and developing the site, according to Gray. Landmark officialsdeclined to disclose the name of the prospective buyer.
The commission unanimously voted to initiate the historic designation process for the Akers house in January. Landmark staff members are communicating with the prospective purchaser, who is considering how to best preserve the house, according to Tommy Warlick, consulting preservation planner.
An attorney representing the current owners could not be reached for comment.
More on the Akers Estate
Akers Estate is owned by Susan Blanton Senn and the Trust of Emory H. Blanton, according to county records. The property at 6501 Sardis Road is valued at $3.8 million, according to online real estate listings.
The mansion was built in 1937 for James Akers, an insurance executive, and his wife Nancy Akers.
Architect Louis Asbury Sr. designed the home along with several other Charlotte properties in the early 20th century.
His work includes the Mecklenburg County Courthouse on East Trade Street and the Myers Park Methodist Church with a Gothic revival style, said Preserve Mecklenburg, a real estate preservation group that works to save historical sites in the area.
A mahogany paneled dining room, bathrooms tiled in pigmented structural glass and a higher-end finish than ceramic tile are some of the inside features. The exterior was made from local fieldstone and includes an English slate roof.
What’s next?
Both the landmarks commission and Charlotte city council would have to hold public hearings for the designation. This stage of the process is on hold until a deal is made with a buyer, Warlick said.
After the public hearings, the Charlotte city council will make a final decision for the historic designation.
