constructing 28 exquisite condos in an old 1880s tobacco factory building along the Dan River, with several of the units outfitted with granite countertops, hardwood floors and glass tile in the bathrooms,” Stilwell says. “Historic neighborhoods make a community more attractive, and Danville’s old tobacco warehouse district is really coming to life once again.” Yet another downtown Danville condominium development is in the works called Lindsay Lofts that will feature 21 dwellings above an old building that once housed a hardware store. “Burton Condominiums is a $5 million restoration project, Lindsay Lofts is a $4 million project, and many other investors are looking at Danville
for historic preservation endeavors,” Stilwell says. “I, myself, have become so enamored with historic properties that I bought a 1915 former wholesale grocery warehouse, put a loft on the third floor and am now using it as my residence.” A like-minded investor is Luna nanoWorks, a division of Luna Innovations that specializes in nanomaterial research and manufacturing. Instead of simply building a new facility in an industrial setting, the company opted to restore one of the old tobacco warehouses in the heart of the city. A historic district may be an unorthodox home for a company focused on tomorrow’s technology, but it stands as a shining example of how economic development can work handin-hand with cultural preservation (see
page 31 for more information on Luna nanoWorks). But it’s not just Danville that is exhibiting a flair for bringing historic landmarks back to life. In Chatham, An Inn for All Seasons is a mansion built in 1884 now being utilized as a popular bed and breakfast. “Visitors love the look of this gorgeous 19th-century mansion, but they also enjoy modern conveniences whenever they stay here overnight,” says innkeeper Gayle Hudert. “I mean, it’s inspiring to look at the luxurious architecture associated with An Inn of All Seasons, but our guests also appreciate a whirlpool in the bathroom when they retire to their bedroom for the night.”
Nami Kim Addis (left) owner of Yene Fusion Café and Sushi Bar, welcomes patrons to her restaurant to enjoy historic Victorian architecture, a free wireless Internet connection and delicious treats such as sushi (below). Opposite: An Inn for all Seasons is one of several historic homes housing successful bed & breakfasts in Chatham, thanks in part to parents booking lodging when visiting students at nearby boarding schools.
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