Plan your visit
- Recorded location
- 233 S. Brevard St., Charlotte
- Official information
- Open the official source →
- Map
- View the recorded location
A historic designation or address does not establish public entry, tours or visitor parking. Confirm access with the property or visitor organization.
| Recorded address | 233 S. Brevard St., Charlotte |
|---|---|
| National Register | ref 82003486, listed 1982-08-19 |
| Research depth | dossier, independently sourced |
Names and addresses in the source records
These records describe the same property. Addresses and names are retained as recorded; a designation record does not establish current visitor access.
- Mecklenburg Investment Company Building — 233 S. Brevard St. · source record
- Mecklenburg Investment Company Building — 233 S. Brevard St. (nps) / 223 S. Brevard St. (landmarks Commission) · source record
- Mecklenburg Investment Company — 223 S. Brevard St., Charlotte, NC 28202 · source record
What we established, and from where
The Mecklenburg Investment Company was formed in May 1921 by a number of Charlotte's leading black citizens.
independent National Park Service / NC SHPO · checked 2026-09-17
The company hired black contractor William W. Smith to build it.
independent National Park Service / NC SHPO · checked 2026-09-17
The building was planned with stores on the first floor, sixteen offices on the second, and four offices and an assembly room on the third.
independent National Park Service / NC SHPO · checked 2026-09-17
Beyond offices and shops the building served as a community centre where black fraternal organisations met.
independent National Park Service / NC SHPO · checked 2026-09-17
The venture was successful enough that the mortgage was retired in less than ten years.
independent National Park Service / NC SHPO · checked 2026-09-17
Urban renewal projects demolished most of the surrounding Brooklyn neighbourhood.
independent National Park Service / NC SHPO · checked 2026-09-17
The Mecklenburg Investment Company Building at 233 S. Brevard Street was financed by Black professionals in 1921-22 to provide the first office building open to Black professionals in Charlotte; its third-floor lodge hall was used as a meeting place for Black civic groups. Its architect and builder was William W. Smith, who designed its yellow and red patterned brickwork.
independent J. Murrey Atkins Library, UNC Charlotte + National Park Service · checked 2026-09-13
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).
Browse from here
all 197 listed places in Charlotte
Where this comes up
- Brooklyn: the neighbourhood Charlotte demolished
- An architecture walk through Uptown, built from the register
- Charlotte's historic cemeteries
What else is close
- Grace A.M.E. Zion Church · about 100 ft away · Historic places
- Brooklyn Mccrorey Branch Ymca · about 300 ft away · Historic places
- Glory Road · about 0.1 mi away · Attractions & public art
- Charlotte: Diversity and Hope · about 0.1 mi away · Attractions & public art
- Elementary Particles · about 0.1 mi away · Attractions & public art
- Racing to Get In · about 0.1 mi away · Attractions & public art
Distances are straight-line from the recorded coordinates, not walking distance — there may be a creek, a rail line or an interstate in between.