Court Arcade Building Set for Demolition as Data Center Expansion Moves Forward in Charlotte

Mecklenburg County in North Carolina granted a demolition permit in July for the century-old Court Arcade building at 725 E. Trade St. in uptown Charlotte. This decision effectively ends local preservation efforts and allows Texas-based data center developer Digital Realty Trust to proceed with its expansion plans.

Digital Realty, which owns the site and purchased the Court Arcade building last year for nearly $9.5 million, intends to expand its existing Trade Street data center. The company had initially planned to save the building's facade when it filed construction plans last October for a new four-story building with supporting electrical equipment. However, in June, Digital Realty changed its stance, citing feasibility issues that necessitated the complete demolition of the structure.

The Court Arcade, built in the mid-1920s by architect William Peeps, served as an office building for attorneys near the Mecklenburg County Courthouse. Unlike its sister building, Latta Arcade, which was designated a landmark in 1994 and renovated with preserved aspects, the Court Arcade never received landmark status. The Charlotte branch of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Charlotte) met with Digital Realty in July, presenting alternative ideas to save the facade, including relocation or partial preservation. However, Digital Realty's architects and engineers maintained that saving the facade was not feasible.

Kate Shelton, AIA Charlotte's executive director, expressed disappointment, stating that their team was confident an opportunity existed to save it. Despite ongoing hopes from some community members, Shelton does not anticipate Digital Realty changing its position. A company spokesman indicated that Digital Realty is developing a strategy for "meaningful investment in preservation efforts" as the demolition moves forward.