Historic South End building officially saved from development
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A moving crew rolled the Leeper-Wyatt building 750 feet Thursday morning to Cleveland Avenue. Crews moved power lines and utilities to clear the route for the oversized delivery. Photo: Courtesy of Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group
The Leeper-Wyatt building, one of the oldest retail buildings in the South End area, has left South Boulevard and is safe at its new home in Dilworth.
Why it matters: The 1903 brick building would have been demolished to make way for a high-rise. But restaurateurs Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown fought to preserve the historic structure.
- Charlotte is often criticized for tearing down its historic buildings. Preserving one, however costly and time-consuming, is a welcomed decision for many.
- Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group owns, among other popular eateries, Supperland, a restaurant housed in an old church in Plaza Midwood.
Between the lines: A moving crew rolled the Leeper-Wyatt building 750 feet Thursday morning to Cleveland Avenue. Crews moved power lines and utilities to clear the route for the oversized delivery.
The intrigue: The entire process was filmed for a new show about the Tonidandel-Brown couple. Charlotte-based Susie Films is producing the series and began filming in June.
Flashback: For over 50 years, the Leeper-Wyatt building was the old-fashioned neighborhood grocery store for the Atherton Mill and Dilworth communities. It closed in the 50s because it couldn't compete with emerging supermarkets.
- In recent years, it had a Fitness Together overhang. It was next to Tyber Creek Pub, which was torn down earlier this year to clear the way for the development.
What's next: Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group hasn't announced plans for how it will use the Leeper-Wyatt building, but they're "spitballing" ideas, per a press release.
- Meanwhile, the restaurateurs are finalizing plans for a new surf-and-turf restaurant, Leluia Hall, next to Leeper-Wyatt's new home. Leluia Hall is taking the place of Bonterra in a 1915 restored church. An opening date is TBA.
- Nashville developer Southern Land tells Axios it will start construction on its luxury apartments at the old Leeper-Wyatt site by the end of this year.
