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101 INDEPENDENCE CENTER

    The 101 Independence Center is a Class A commercial office building located at the intersection of Trade and Tryon Streets in downtown Charlotte, North Carolina. Referred to as “The Square”, this intersection is the hub around which all of Charlotte has developed. It continues to be the heart of the center city, with its location becoming more distinctive as downtown evolves into a true 24-hour city.

The Cornerstone of the Square

     Filled with rich tradition and history, 101 Independence Center and the ground upon which it is built symbolize the very inception of Charlotte as a city emerged from a virtual wilderness. Since the early 19th century, our site, at the very heart of the city, the northwest corner of “The Square” has played an integral and intricate role in the development of the City of Charlotte. Once the epicenter of the cross of the crossroads of Indian Nation and settler trading paths, this same site was home to John Irwin and the historic John Irwin House at a time when “The Square” was called “The Osborne Corner.” Upon this same site was constructed the very first “skyscraper” in the history of North Carolina.

The names have all changed,

But the address remains the same…

 Charlotte Beginnings

     As most Charlotteans are aware, Charlotte’s origins lie in its location at a crossroads of two routes important in the early history of the region: A Native American trading path passing through the domain of the Catawbas, between Charleston on the South Carolina coast and the Cherokee Nation to the west. At what would become Charlotte, the path was crossed buy the Great Wagon Road, a major migration route south from the new European colonies to the north. These two roads became Trade and Tryon Streets and define what today “The Independence Square” or more commonly known as just “The Square”.

Naming of the “Independence Square

     According to tradition, on May 20th, 1775, a group of county leaders signed the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, declaring freedom from England more than a year before the Continental Congress took the same step in Philadelphia. The original Declaration burned in a house fire in 1800, causing doubts about its veracity. Today the signing date is part of the North Carolina State flag and seal, and the day continues to be celebrated in the county. The intersection of Trade & Tryon streets at the center of the city was called “Independence Square” in commemoration of the event.

 The Osborne Corner

    Before it was “The Square”, in the days of trolley cars and horse drawn carriages, it was the “Osborne Corner,” and upon our own northwest corner was built the first historic landmark to adorn this revered location. It was The John Irwin House, aptly named after John Irwin, a merchant and early town Commissioner. The house had stood its ground since 1818, and in latter years was occupied by the Woodall & Sheppard Drug Company. As progress would have it, given the ideal location of the house, in 1905 a series of developments occurred that would forever change its history.

    On July 26th, 1905, a group of prominent businessmen (W.H. Belk, C.N. Evans, O.P. Heath, Julian H. Little and C.M. Patterson) secured charters of incorporation for two new concerns, the Charlotte Trust Co. and the Charlotte Realty Co. Both enterprises opened for business on September 23rd, 1905. In 1906, envisioning building a most imposing building in the most “suitable” location, the group selected Daniel Augustus Tompkin, publisher of The Charlotte Observer, to approach owners of the “Osborne Corner” with an interest to purchase the John Irwin House and the site upon which it was built. A deal was struck and on November 27th, 1906, the Charlotte Realty Company purchased the land and the house for the then astounding fee of $92,000.

The Independence Building
 
    Proposals for demolishing the old frame house sparked considerable controversy, with many people warning that Charlotte would be losing an important link to its past if plans proceeded. But in January 1908 the old house was at last torn down, and excitement grew at the rise of its amazing successor, a towering twelve-story masterpiece conceived by the renowned architect Frank P. Milburn. It was to become Charlotte’s and North Carolina’s very first skyscraper! People came by train from miles around to see the new steel skeleton thrusting upward. It was early sign that Charlotte was in fact developing into a true City and was an immense source of community pride. In time its distinction as the first steel-frame “skyscraper” in the Carolinas entitled it to a designation as a local landmark and a listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

    The new Skyscraper was originally named “The Realty Building” by the Charlotte Realty Company, but its name later changed to “The Independence Building” when the Independence Trust Company was founded and took occupancy of the first floor of the building. In 1922, The Independence Building became home to the South’s first radio station (operating as Southern Radio Corporation) when the station was licensed to operate with 100 watts and assigned the call letters WBT. WBT Radio continued to operate from the building until 1926.

101 Independence Center

     The Independence Building continued to function as an office facility until April 1976 when the last of its Tenants departed from the upper floors. In September 1981, at the age of 73, the Independence Building disappeared from the face of Charlotte forever when it was imploded by developer Henry Faison. It was noted at the time by one reporter that “as it replaced an historic structure, so will it be replaced by a mammoth office/retail/hotel development that the city hopes will bring new life to the city’s heart. The demolition this time is a symbol of Charlotte’s vigor, not its problems.”

 And so evolved 101 Independence Center…

 Rich History, Modern Art

     The 101 Independence Center and the corner upon which it sits contain various pieces of art that embody the area and buildings rich history. When arriving at the square, visitors will notice the four giant sculptures standing on each corner of Trade and Tryon by artist Raymond Kaskey of Washington State. The statues are titled "Transportation," "Future," "Commerce," and "Industry." Transportation is represented by a railroad worker holding a hammer in his hand. The figure of a woman holding a child represents the Future of the city of Charlotte. Commerce is symbolized by a gold miner spilling money on the head of a banker. The face of the banker is modeled after Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan. Industry is represented by a woman in a bonnet, symbolizing the mills and early industry of the area. The child peeking from her skirt suggests past child labor. This artwork represents the history of Charlotte and has become a conversation piece for natives and visitors alike. Outside on the plaza stands a large Helix sculpture created by artist John Rietta. This 20 x 6 x 3 ft structure is constructed of two separate concave columns of steel set in concrete about 5 inches apart on granite stone plaza. This artwork was commissioned in 1983 when the 101 Independence Center was completed.

    Inside the building visitors will discover unique artwork and stone décor. The focal point of the lobby is the one of a kind art work entitled Vestiges by artist Randy Shull of Asheville, NC.  This six-part series of wood sculptures recaptures the past and makes a statement about choices we all face. For example, the piece entitled VINYL uses thirty three RPM LP albums to reflect the fact that the site of the 101 Independence Center originally housed the first Southeastern radio station. Shull's constructions use a painterly surface and bright colors to create a menagerie of pieces whose integrity falls somewhere between fine art and high-end handcraft. He is known for art whose sculptural objects incorporate hidden vestiges and secret compartments.

    The lobby also showcases Carnelian granite walls and floors that are offset with warn figured anigre wood panels. Elevator lobby floors are highlighted with Italian blue pearl, white and green marble. There is also a custom-designed and hand-built table produced by Todd Davidson, a noted craftsman from Deep Gap, NC. 
 
 
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