Adaptive Reuse in Historic Downtown Morganton

Location: Morganton, NC
Completion: Winter 2021
Scope: Full renovation and adaptive reuse
Area: 5,700 SF

NVERSE architects led the adaptive reuse of a historic two-story masonry structure located on West Union Street in downtown Morganton. The 5,700 square foot building was transformed to accommodate a private residence, home office, and tenant suites, while preserving and celebrating the building’s original character.

Flanked by existing buildings, the design introduces new light wells and a central roof deck to deliver daylight deep into the interior spaces. A new elevator and stair enclosure improves accessibility to all floors and the roof terrace.

The upper floor now serves as a spacious residential unit with open-plan living, kitchen, and dining areas, a library, den, and a master suite, while the first floor includes workshop and office spaces, all supported by carefully coordinated MEP and structural upgrades.

Key design elements include:

• New arched storefront openings inspired by historic photos, reintroducing rhythm and light to the street façade.

• Standing seam metal canopies and porch elements added to both front and rear elevations.

• Custom skylights and solar tubes strategically placed to illuminate interior work areas and circulation zones.

• A roof terrace with panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and downtown, finished with a tile surface and framed by a guardrail-integrated parapet.

From the masonry restoration to new structural framing (including exposed LVLs and steel beams), the project bridges history and modern utility, turning an underused downtown parcel into a vibrant live/work destination.