The City of Shelby is requesting qualifications for architectural and design services for the historic Webbley Mansion on S. Washington Street, a home that was built between 1852 and 1855.
What is the history of the historic Webbley?
According to the article on the National Park Service website:
Webbley, more commonly known today as the O. Max Gardner House, was the home of one of North Carolina's most prominent 20th-century public leaders. A key figure of the State's famous "Shelby Dynasty," Oliver Max Gardner enjoyed a distinguished career that included service as State senator, lieutenant governor and governor from 1929 to 1933. The two-story house facing south Washington Street--the original core of the current house--was built sometime between 1852 and 1855 by attorney Augustus W. Burton. Shortly thereafter, the house was sold and for the next 48 years, changed hands rather rapidly, with one exception. On April 1, 1869, Mrs. Adelaide W. McAfee purchased the property at a sheriff's sale and lived there for nearly 20 years. In 1905, J.A. Anthony, a prominent Shelby attorney bought the home and, by that point, a much-reduced lot. Anthony and his wife, Ollie Gardner Anthony, initiated a Colonial Revival renovation in 1907 which totally changed the appearance of the house.
The house went into foreclosure in mid-2023 and was put up for sale at public auction in June of 2023. Later, the city received a direct grant of $3.9 million for the purchase of and historic restoration of the Webbley Mansion.
The city is currently in talks with the Development Finance Initiative at UNC Chapel Hill School of Government in order to move forward with this large-scale project. They are accepting proposals from developers, architects and designers right now who might be interested in taking this on. Click here for detailed information about the project, and instructions for submitting a proposal. Proposals are due by May 17, 2024 at 5pm.