History of the Junior League of Charlotte Building

Originally published on JLC Link Blog Oct. 2020

League members all know and love the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) Building — so many memories, groundbreaking sessions and friendships have been forged in its hallowed halls. But it was not until our 35th anniversary that the League began constructing its current headquarters at 1332 Maryland Avenue in Myers Park.

The building was financed by contributions from JLC members and their friends and families. After some additions and renovations, the 7,600-square-foot building continues to serve as the League office and gathering place for many membership events.

Take a look at the timeline of the JLC Building:

1959–1960 – Construction began on a headquarters building financed by contributions from the League members and their friends.

1960–1961 – The new headquarters building opened, and the Headquarters Committee was established.

1985–1986 – The Headquarters Fundraising Committee raised $550,600 to double the size of the League building and celebrated the League’s 60th anniversary at the groundbreaking ceremony.

1986–1987 – The Headquarters Building Committee monitored headquarters renovations and moved into the greatly expanded and renovated building in September. The grand opening was celebrated in October.

1989–1990 – In April, the JLC hosted the Pre-Annual Conference Meeting of North Carolina and South Carolina Presidents and President-Elects at the JLC Headquarters before hosting the POLL (Presidents of Large Leagues) Conference at the Park Hotel in Charlotte in November.

2007–2008 – In February, the JLC hosted the third State Public Affairs Committee of the Junior Leagues of North Carolina (SPAC) meeting of the year at the headquarters. Women from Asheville, Charlotte, Durham, Raleigh and Winston-Salem Leagues were in attendance.

2010–2011 – The League celebrated the 50th anniversary of the headquarters with interior improvements, including fresh paint in the foyer, hallways, Community Room and Boardroom. A framed panel depicting the JLC in the 1920s was unveiled — the first of many panels for each decade of JLC history. A building fund of $90,000 was allocated for the 2011–2012 League year to continue interior improvements.

In March, a 50th Anniversary open house was held at the League building for all members and their guests, with a special reception for those responsible for the original headquarters in 1961 and the major building renovation in 1986.

2012–2013 – The League launched and completed the patio brick campaign that completed the Past Presidents’ Patio.

2016–2017 – The headquarters were cleaned out and repositioned for continued revenue generation (see sidebar on business building licensing). Fund development efforts were reformatted to diversify fundraising by adding a Building and Events team dedicated to maximizing headquarters related revenue.

So, what is building licensing?

It is the means for renting a room or the building for a non-JLC meeting or event. Someone would simply submit their request using the link on the website requesting the date and we would start the conversation from there. There is a licensing agreement that needs to be signed, a Certificate of Insurance is required, as well as a 50 percent deposit to secure the reservation. There are additional details that would be discussed, depending on the type of event (i.e., a bartender is required for alcohol, an event host is required at an additional cost if the event is a non-JLC member event, etc.).