The Jefferson-First Union Tower at 301 S. Tryon St. may soon receive recognition as both a local and national historic landmark. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission is pushing for this designation, which would protect the 32-story tower and the 12-story connector that links two office buildings within the 3.4-acre property.
Talks between the commission and property owners Riverside Investment & Development and Singerman Real Estate LLC sparked this proposal, Historic Commission Director Stewart Gray explained. The Chicago-based partners purchased the property in April. They paid $36.5 million — a staggering $167.5 million less than the Mecklenburg County tax assessment value.
Riverside has plans to transform the structure. Residential units and hotels are part of their vision. A historic designation would restrict certain modifications, but Riverside wants to protect the sections covered under the proposed designation, Gray said…