I spoke with the contractor, and they are disassembling the house in order to rebuild it elsewhere. The goal, I was told, is to save as much as possible (every last brick) and to keep as much of it “whole” (such as the amazing staircase in the entrance. Plus, the contractor is dedicated to low to no waste of materials, down to the insulation in the walls being reused as much as possible. It thus seems that it will not be a complete loss, fortunately.
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THIS is excellent news. Could easily turn this building into a fancy restaurant space or art gallery.
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Any idea where they will be build it?
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Rebuild it? I’ve definitely heard of properties being moved, but rebuilding it sounds very cumbersome and difficult to achieve other than salvaging pieces to reuse in other locations. Do folks know of examples of this? Would be great to see it happen for sure!
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I would think that they would remove all the bricks and then cut up the house into several smaller pieces that can more easily be hauled away to a new location. I don’t think they would completely take the building apart and put it back together. Anybody else know anything about this process?
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I noticed the long extension building behind the house appears to be getting demolished as we speak.
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Just FYI, I followed up with the Historic Preservation Department in the City and a Historic Development Commission Member for the City and this was their response on the building:
"I’ve been watching the development there, but have heard nothing about the potential rebuilding or even relocation of the house. We’d be excited to see that happen, of course. It’s identified as the Henry T Hicks house, but not National Register designated. Its possible they could be working with CAP or PresNC?
Definitely let me know if you hear anything else!"
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There’s a house on lake wheeler Rd. Right across from grocery boy Jr. That has to be 100 years old, and they recently took the first floor apart one wall section at a time, built a new first floor and 2nd floor system, and used the historic walls to close in the 2nd floor. Very strange renovation/preservation project. The house has been sheathed with OSB and no weather resistant barrier for months with no activity. I have no idea what they’re up to, but they definitely disassembled and reassembled some very old wall sections with Windows and it was done by a standard looking framing crew.
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The food prices have kept up. They need to reinvest some profits.
The London Bridge.
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According to the contractor, the house was built in 1875 by the owner of the Whittaker Mill. While I was there, a relative of the owner stopped by and saw the house for the first time. At this point, he said they do not know what they are capable of doing. It all depends on what they are able to save as they take it apart. The want to save as much of it as possible. He showed me how they are uncovering parts of the construction to see how they put it together so that they can bring it back. There are architects who are drawing up blueprints, working backwards, so that they know as much about it as possible.
The back was a much later addition, so it was not saved.
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Bike Lady, they have their houses mixed up. The Hicks Mansion is This one.
I have read about houses being taken apart. To the developers credit, this is pretty expensive. There just really wasn’t anywhere to move this…it is too heavy to cross the tracks on a bridge without putting in a bridge over the bridge and also would not easily roll down a hill like Boylan to cross tracks at grade. If they get the floors, staircase, window sashes and fireplaces, a rebuild will be substantially authentic and I will be pretty happy with it.
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Agree - it’s great to hear and encouraging. @Ryan1, do you know where the salvaged pieces will be reincorporated? Is it a property / parcel in Raleigh DYK? @Mark thanks for linking up the house details, too (I’ll pass along)
According to the contractor, they have not determined a site to rebuild/reuse, or exactly how the rebuild/reuse will occur. It depends on how it comes down/apart. They are trying to save as much of it, and in as many large pieces, as possible. An architect is helping with this. It will all be placed in storage until a site and plans are determined. One big thing they mentioned was to save and reuse as much as possible. They expressed a strong commitment to as little waste as possible.
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Weekly update… I see that most of the old house addition is gone and much of the house itself. Also some trees over there are being taken down and will soon be entirely gone.
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My cynical guess is that they are taking it apart and storing it, and waiting for somebody to come along and pay for its eventual reconstruction (who will likely never come.) I doubt a developer would pay to do this rebuild.
Hope to be proven wrong.
My guess it will never and they have no expectation that house will be rebuild somewhere elsewhere. Most likely they are saving architecturally interesting parts, such as windows, doors, mill work, flooring, and fireplace surrounds. Which will be sold to people doing remodels of other older homes or want old home details included in a new build house. Lumber and brick will be resold as well. Depending on type wood, will be sold to cabinet and furniture makers or again for new houses where maybe want old looking exposed ceiling supports or ascent walls. Brick, will end of as decorative parts of other houses. End result is will be able to see lot’s of parts from this house but will have to go to lot’s of other houses to see them.
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They’ve got a crane on the ground now! Apparently for the drilling of the foundation. Metal beams coming soon!
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here’s the webcam link again… OxBlue Construction Time-Lapse Cameras
also with faraway views of north hills tower 4 progress and potentially willard hotel if that gets going.
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Bookmarked! Thanks!!