Charlotte-Mecklenburg Main Library

Charlotte/Mecklenburg County Charlotte, North Carolina

Designed to enhance learning opportunities and improve economic mobility, CharlotteMecklenburg’s new main library will be located on the same site the main library has occupied since 1903, and will preserve a rich history while providing a complete transformation to suit the evolving needs of the region.

The library is designed based on sustainable principles, which will include energyefficient lighting, heating, air conditioning, flooring, green furnishings, and fixtures with a low environmental impact. The project broke ground in 2021 and is scheduled for completion in mid-2024.

With a more vertical design on a smaller footprint, the facility will have five levels above ground and one below, two outdoor terraces, an active lobby with a community forum and immersive theater, a café at the corner of Tryon and Sixth Streets, flexible meeting spaces, a revamped RobinsonSpangler Carolina Room (housing an extensive genealogy collection), and more.

Before the design process began, a public planning process engaged library patrons and community leaders to envision a building program that balances traditional library offerings with greater capacity for gatherings and social interactions – a public commons. Each floor of the library is designed with a specific thematic focus and equipped with advanced technology capabilities to meet growing demand for digital materials.

Project at a Glance

Completion: 2024 Estimated

Size: 115,000 SF New; 44,000 SF Renovation

Cost: $108,000,000

Project Type: Addition & Renovation

The existing historic courthouse was in very poor condition and was completely renovated down to the structure. The new building includes a restaurant, visitors center, offices, and event space.

All mechanical, electrical, and plumbing items were removed from the facility and replaced with new equipment. The existing mechanical system, which previously included a cooling tower located within the historic rotunda, was replaced with a high efficiency variable-refrigerant flow system equipped with heat recovery, connected to a geothermal wellfield.

The new electrical system consists of energy efficient LED lighting throughout the facility, as well as new electrical power distribution throughout. A new access control system was installed throughout the building and tenant fit-outs on each floor. The third floor event space contains a full Audio/ Visual system tailored to meet the needs for large events and presentations.

Project at a Glance

Completion: 2018

Size: 50,300 SF

Cost: $31,500,000

Project Type: Historic Renovation Awards/Certifications:

2019 Vision Award for Preservation

018 Honor Award - Kentucky AIA Award for Excellence in Architectural Design

2018 Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation Historic Preservation Award