More Facelifts For Uptown
April 25, 2008
By KENNY MAPLE
Index-Journal Staff Writer
Greenwood, SC - The Barksdale Building in Uptown Greenwood might be most recognizable for its shiny, aluminum facade, but not for too much longer.
D. Welborn Adams, real estate attorney, has lofty plans for the building after purchasing it in January from a trust officer with a bank in Greenville. After several months of communicating back and forth, the officer found he could sell it.
“I’ve been interested in this building since I moved back to Greenwood in '92,” Adams said. |
The Barksdale Building in Uptown Greenwood will soon show its historic side, as architects remove the aluminum facade and reveal the old brick underneath. The building has been bought and is under renovation. (Staff photo by Kenny Maple) |
“I started talking to Courtney Furman, who’s the architect helping me. I first met him in 1995. This has been a 13-year obsession of mine.”
The obsession is just under way as one of the three stores in the building -- the old Cannon Jewelers -- is renovated. Empty, the old store will have its interior and carpet removed and ceiling raised.
Also in the building is Debs & Brides by Martha and Nube’s Sew Perfect. The bridal shop will be going out of business in just more than a month as owner Martha Tealbert retires.
Although Tealbert is retiring, she is glad to see the building get a facelift.
Just next door, Nube Cowan, who owns the sewing business with husband Scott Cowan, also looks forward to the changes. Unlike Debs & Brides, Nube’s will continue to stay in business.
“This building is very old, but with his plans I think it will be really, really good and look really nice,” she said.
Adams thinks it will look nice as well, starting with the unveiling of the historic brick hidden beneath the aluminum facade. The aluminum will be removed Thursday.
“It’s got, I think, wonderful brick underneath that aluminum exterior, so we’re going to have the original brick and the windows,” Adams said. “It’s exciting.”
It truly is an exciting development for a building that dates back to 1908. Adams’ plans are to highlight Barksdale’s history, not mask it.
Also, while the businesses downstairs receive their improvements, the upstairs will be transformed into residential living space. Adams said two condominiums will go in above the stores.
The project, an expensive one that might receive aid in the form of a historic grant from the state, is being influenced by recent renovations to the Uptown area.
Adams has had plenty of encouragement from those involved in the Maxwell Avenue projects as well as others with businesses in Uptown. It’s the energy of the area that’s really fueling the projects, he said.
“I think there’s more energy right now in downtown Greenwood than I’ve seen in the last 20 years,” he said, mentioning the entertainment that’s been invigorating Greenwood.
“Two good live bands on a Saturday night in Greenwood -- that’s some real energy to me. Hopefully we can just feed on that energy and have some more people living in downtown. There’s just so much going on. Just happy to be a part of it.”
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