Adaptive Reuse: Breathing New Life into Historic and Pre-Existing Structures

At Held Architecture, we often begin a project not by looking forward, but by looking around — at what’s already here. The most sustainable building is often the one that is already there. Adaptive reuse allows us to find new purpose or significantly update existing structures.

In Charlotte and across the Southeast, we’ve seen firsthand how reimagining a building can activate a site, support sustainability goals, and spark neighborhood vitality. Adaptive reuse isn’t just a cost-effective design strategy — it’s an act of stewardship. Whether we’re working with a historic textile mill or an 80's commercial shell, we approach these projects with respect for their story and a clear-eyed view of what’s possible.

Why reuse matters:

Building reuse helps reduce construction waste and limits the carbon impact of new materials. But the benefits extend beyond environmental metrics. These projects often preserve craftsmanship and scale that’s difficult — and expensive — to replicate today. They also help maintain a sense of continuity within our built environment. 

The design challenge (and opportunity):

Working with existing structures requires adaptability. We ask questions like: How can we introduce daylight into a deep floor plate? Can we retain original masonry or timber details in a new configuration? What systems need upgrading, and how can we do so without erasing the building’s character?

In many ways, these constraints invite creativity. They challenge us to think spatially and strategically, layering old and new in ways that feel seamless and intentional.

Case in point:

Our work on Jetton & Meredith in Charlotte, North Carolina exemplifies this philosophy. The office building on East Trade Street, originally built in the 1980s, once belonged to the mentor of Jetton & Meredith Law’s founding partners. We approached its transformation with a focus on light, openness, and identity. By widening corridors and introducing interior glass walls, we allowed daylight to move more freely through the building, brightening spaces that had long felt closed off. On the front and side facades, we expanded openings and layered a new skin of geometric forms over the original structure—bringing depth, shadow, and rhythm to its street presence. A cantilevered entrance canopy now defines the arrival experience, hovering just above the sidewalk. Seen from McDowell or Alexander, the building presents a clear and confident face—refreshed, but still grounded in its original frame.

In every adaptive reuse project, we aim for a balance — between preservation and progress, between material resilience and architectural clarity. Because when we honor what’s already built, we help create places that feel grounded, enduring, and alive.