The Charlotte Handbooksourced, dated, checkable
Explore

Independence Building

Independence Building: Beaux Arts, National Register listed 1978-09-18.

Plan your visit

Recorded location
100-102 W. Trade St., Charlotte
Official information
Open the official source →

A historic designation or address does not establish public entry, tours or visitor parking. Confirm access with the property or visitor organization.

Recorded address100-102 W. Trade St., Charlotte
Architectural styleBeaux Arts
National Registerref 78001964, listed 1978-09-18
Research depthdossier, independently sourced

What we established, and from where

  • The Independence Building at 100-102 W. Trade Street was listed on the National Register on 18 September 1978 and demolished in September 1981. NPS records its styles as Beaux Arts and Renaissance, its architects as Frank P. Milburn and William L. Stoddart, and its significant year as 1909.

    documented National Park Service (NRHP) / NC State Historic Preservation Office · checked 2026-09-14

  • The nomination states the Independence Building was the first steel-frame high-rise erected in North Carolina.

    independent National Park Service / NC SHPO · checked 2026-09-17

  • Eight architectural firms took part in the final stages of the design competition.

    independent National Park Service / NC SHPO · checked 2026-09-17

  • It was the first skyscraper built by the J. A. Jones Construction Company of Charlotte.

    independent National Park Service / NC SHPO · checked 2026-09-17

  • A 1927-28 remodelling raised the building to fourteen storeys.

    independent National Park Service / NC SHPO · checked 2026-09-17

  • Radio station WBT put its transmitter and studios on the eleventh floor.

    independent National Park Service / NC SHPO · checked 2026-09-17

  • At the time of the nomination the building's future was in doubt; it was demolished later.

    independent National Park Service / NC SHPO · checked 2026-09-17

The primary source

The National Register nomination is the fullest account of this property that exists, written by a researcher and reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office. The nomination (National Park Service).

Official record

Browse from here

all 197 listed places in Charlotte

Where this comes up

More listed places in Charlotte