First & Broad - a proposed development

New Bern, NC

A 40,000 SF redevelopment of a portion of the city that had been on the decline economically for some time, being the location of a successful auto dealership in the 1950s to a flea market in the 1980’s. Purchased by the adjacent church in 2005, the 3.65 acre lot had been sitting idle for years. With the property located on one of the gateway streets to the historic downtown, the concept was for the Church to gain needed program space while allowing the remainder to be developed commercially. Architecturally, historically derived facades were melded with more contemporary elements of stucco and glass to create a unique experience for the town. The key to the design is the corner [which was conceived as a hinge linking the street side masses] that was to be marketed as a mixed use office/restaurant structure. The remainder of the space along the streets would be mixed office / mercantile with one of the structures along First Street serving as Church athletic facilities. The project was abandoned due to economic conditions brought about by the “Great Recession”