Exciting Developments in Charlotte: Wells Fargo Invests in Local Nonprofit
Hey there, Charlotte! Some fantastic news is heading your way that’s set to benefit our vibrant community. That’s right! Wells Fargo, the well-known banking giant, has just made a generous donation of $750,000 to a local nonprofit aimed at uplifting our youth and budding entrepreneurs. This donation marks a significant step forward for Do Greater Charlotte, a nonprofit created by visionary William McNeely in 2017.
A New Home for Do Greater
So, what’s the buzz? Do Greater Charlotte is kicking off renovations for its new headquarters right in the heart of uptown, specifically at 550 N. Tryon St. This space is set to become the Creative Lab Center City, and the transformation isn’t small beans! The renovations will cost a total of $3.7 million and will kick off with construction that started today. It’s expected to wrap up by February, as shared by McNeely.
The new hub is designed with the future in mind, focusing on support for young people aged 16 to 24. “We want to create this process of development of the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators of Charlotte,” McNeely expressed. With this initiative, the goal is to provide an aspirational space for children coming from under-resourced communities—a place where they can realize their potential and envision a brighter future.
A Glimpse into History
It’s also exciting to note that the building where this initiative is taking place has its own rich history. Originally established in 1921, this beautiful structure was designed by Louis H. Asbury, the first trained architect in Charlotte. It initially served as the Thies Automobile Sales and Service. Over the years, the building changed hands and became the headquarters for Gantt Huberman Architects, led by Charlotte’s first Black mayor, Harvey Gantt.
A Multi-Faceted Space
The renovations will turn the three-story building into a hub of activity. The ground floor will host the Creative Digital Academy for Opportunity Youth, a dedicated space for young adults to develop creative skills aligned with their academic and professional goals. A fun touch? There will also be a cozy café on this level.
Now, this is really cool—the second floor will be known as the Wells Fargo Lab for Entrepreneurs and Innovation. Thanks to Wells Fargo’s investment, this space will become a vibrant area for entrepreneurs to collaborate, share ideas, and find support to grow their businesses. Finally, the basement will feature a digital creative studio where young creators can hone their content development skills. It’ll be open for both youth participants and entrepreneurs.
Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future
Working on this project are some fantastic partners, including Gresham Smith and DPR Construction. Sivilay Xayasaene, senior interior designer at Gresham Smith, mentioned how the goal isn’t just to restore the building but to reimagine it. “What’s been great about this project is that it has unearthed the building’s history, revealing original wood ceilings and mosaic tile floors reminiscent of 1920s automobile dealerships,” she said. Their design approach aims to blend nostalgic elements with modern energy—how cool is that?
Winning Recognition
As if that wasn’t enough, Do Greater also recently participated in the Reimagining Vintage Office Design Competition, hosted by Charlotte Center City Partners. They snagged the second place and walked away with a $2,500 prize! What’s more, one of the first-place winners, Asana Partners, generously donated their $15,000 prize to support Do Greater’s initiatives. Talk about community spirit!
With all of this happening, it’s hard not to feel the excitement building for the young people of Charlotte. Thanks to initiatives like this, and generous support from organizations like Wells Fargo, we’re on the path to creating an empowered and innovative community for the future. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates on this inspiring journey!
