Support from the Triangle

Modernist Homes are important. Just ask George Smart, editor of Triangle Modernist Houses. George recently wrote and emailed the piece below to people interested in such homes. His site, www.trianglemodernisthouses.com/ is fascinating.

Thanks, George.

Hello Folks,

Update: The rezoning hearing has been delayed for 30 days, by request of the developer. Henry Isaacson, legal counsel for the developer Cornwallis Elm LLC, requested more time to address concerns from the numerous neighborhood groups possibly impacted by the project. Don Vaughn, council for several neighborhood representatives, agreed to the 30-day extension.

Approximately 60 people attended the hearing in relation to the case. The request was approved unanimously. Under the new timeline, the request will be presented to the Zoning Commission on Monday, January 12th at 2:00 pm.

Questions related to this case may be directed to Planning staff contacts Rawls Howard and Fred Boateng at (336) 373-2144.

Source: Preservation Greensboro Demolition Alert: A proposed rezoning case threatens Ed Loewenstein’s 1958 Commencement House in Greensboro - The Squires Residence, 2207 North Elm Street, Greensboro NC. Loewenstein began teaching an innovative course in architectural design at Woman's College (now UNC-Greensboro). Twenty-three female students designed a house, oversaw its construction and decorated the resulting structure, dubbed the "1958 Commencement House" by the university's public relations office.

The Greensboro Daily News proclaimed the house "as modern as tomorrow," hailing the women who designed it as pioneers, reporting that "they are the first pupils outside the schools of architecture to attempt the complete designing and building of a house." At its May 1958 dedication, an event covered by the paper and broadcast on WUNC-TV, North Carolina First Lady Mrs. Luther Hodges, herself an alumna of Woman's College, cut the ribbon on the house. Written up in the November 1958 edition of McCall's Magazine. Contractor: Eugene Gulledge (Superior Contracting Company of Greensboro). The plan is to develop the property for two medical buildings.

The property is zoned residential single family; the applicant is requesting light office zoning. Rezoning will be considered at a public hearing by the Greensboro Zoning commission on Monday, 12/8 at 2:00pm in the City Council Chambers. Discussion may follow at City Council meetings on 1/6 and 1/20.

The owner is Cornwallis Elm LLC, PO Box 4761, Greensboro, who bought the property on Nov 7, 2006 for $285,000.

Kind Regards,
George Smart, Editor