Historic Charlotte

Not too many years ago, most of
Charlotte’s population lived in the area that
now encompasses the center city. But,
development of streetcar suburbs in the early
twentieth century and construction of new
suburban neighborhoods following World
War II led to a gradual decline of downtown
residential property.
In the last few years, however, thousands
have rediscovered the advantages of living in
the center city, leading to the restoration of
Victorian-era Fourth Ward and construction
of hundreds of new residential units. This
center city renaissance has also given new life
to the Frederick Apartments, one of the best
examples of the city’s 1920s prosperity.
The history of the Frederick mirrors the story
of Charlotte over the past seventy-five years. The
population increased seventy-eight percent in
Charlotte during the booming decade between
1920 and 1930 and builders scurried to keep
pace with the rapid growth. Record levels of new
residential construction were recorded,
including a significant new trend—construction
of apartment houses.
Although apartment living was popular in
large metropolitan areas such as New York
and Chicago, single-family homes remained
the norm in Charlotte and most of the South
until the ’20s. Then, apartment construction
exploded. In the ten years from 1920 to 1930,
the number of apartment buildings in
Charlotte nearly quadrupled.
William Frederick Casey, a manufacturer’s
representative, built the Frederick Apartments
in 1927 at 409 North Church Street in Fourth
Ward (the street number is now 515). The red
brick building, constructed by J. A. Jones
Construction Company, featured an arched
center entry and tiled roof that hinted at an
Italian Renaissance Revival design influence.
The polychrome facade with its threedimensional
clay tile detailing is unmatched
in 1920s-era architecture in Charlotte.
The first newspaper ads for the Frederick
appeared in September 1927, and boasted of
“exclusive modern fireproof apartments with
all modern conveniences.” Specifically
mentioned were “an electrical dishwasher,
electric cooling and ventilation system,
refrigerator, and many other devices.”
The building had thirty-six units and the
largest, a two-floor unit with two baths, was
occupied by the owner and his wife. Other
original tenants included two dentists, one
physician, several salesmen, two insurance
agents, and the local agent of the newly formed
Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI. All lived
within walking distance of their offices.
During the late 1930s, the Frederick
Apartments was home to the acclaimed author
Wilbur J. Cash, best known for his seminal
social history The Mind of the South. It was here
that Cash completed the manuscript for his
classic study of Southern sociology.
Roger Stacks, the current owner, asked RE
Services, Inc., a specialist in historic preservation,
to retain as many of the building’s original features
as possible. In doing so, the Frederick is
upgraded with the most modern conveniences
available, and the Frederick retains the
appearance, style, and ambiance that made it so
popular in its early years. The Frederick is now
home to a new generation of Charlotteans who
are rediscovering the excitement of urban living.
FREDERICK
PLACE
✧
Above: The Frederick Apartments, built in
1927, helped popularize apartment living
in Charlotte.
Below: The restoration of The Frederick
Apartments retained many of the building’s
original architectural features.
THE MARKETPLACE
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