Duke Mansion – Restoration & Rehabilitation

Client: Lynnwood Foundation
Completed: 1998
Project Team:
Jenkins Peer Architects – Gerard Peer, FAIA; Principal-in-Charge
David S. Tobin, AIA, Senior Associate, Lead Designer, Project Architect, Project Manager, Construction Administration
Juan Linares – Intern Architect, Designer

Now known as the “Duke Mansion”, the stately home is in Charlotte’s historic Myers Park neighborhood. The main form of the house was originally built c. 1915 by the prominent industrialist, Zeb Taylor. What is now the East Wing of the house was the extent of the original house. Tobacco magnate, James B. Duke purchased the house in 1919 and with the assistance of architect C.C. Hook, tripled the size of the mansion. James Duke died in 1925 and through the years the mansion was home to several Charlotte families. In the late 1970’s the house was sold and subdivided into five condominiums. In the late 1980’s the entire property was purchased by the Ray family who restored the mansion and grounds to a single-family home again. Then, in 1996, the property was sold once more to the present owner, The Lynnwood Foundation, which was established by Duke Power Company to preserve the house and create a leadership institute to be operated there.

In 1996, Jenkins Peer Architects was commissioned by the Lynnwood Foundation to design the renovation and additional restoration work needed to rehabilitate the private residence to a conference center and Inn while maintaining and enhancing the architectural integrity of the mansion. A period of careful research, assessment and documentation of the house led to overall detailed design and construction administration. The mansion opened in the Spring of 1998 with a celebratory gala. Today, the future of The Duke Mansion is secure and it continues as a popular conference and hospitality destination in support of the philanthropic work of the Lynnwood Foundation.

David S. Tobin, AIA, Senior Associate, performed as Lead Designer, Project Architect and Manager.