News

Historic Lampley Motors building could be razed for development

By Bill Moss, Published: September 20, 2017

The historic Quonset hut style Lampley Motors building and the Southern Appalachian Coffee Co. would be bulldozed for new development if the Hendersonville Preservation Commission OKs the demolition.

Commercial real estate brokers Pulliam Justus Partners of Asheville and Hendersonville have applied for a certificate of appropriateness to raze the two buildings at 101 and 121 North Church Street for new development. Realtor Jeff Justus could not be reached for comment on the possible development.
Built around 1945, the Lampley Motors building is listed as a contributing property in the National Register historic district downtown. The 16,000-square-foot showroom and garage became Thomas Motor Co. in the mid-1950s, after Lampley Motors moved to the 600 block of North Main Street. Lampley Motors was owned and operated by James Hoyt Lampley, the father of Dr. William Lampley.
Originally part of the Lampley Motors property, the small brick structure now housing the coffee shop dates to 1940 and is also listed as a contributing historic property.
North Carolina law and city code allows denial of a request to demolish a historic property except in cases where the Preservation Commission “finds that the owner would suffer extreme hardship” or be deprived of beneficial use of the property. City design guidelines requires the commission to pursue other alternatives to demolition. If demolition is approved, the commission should use photos, site plans and other documentation to record existing conditions and salvage significant architectural features when possible, the guidelines say.
Pulliam Justus Partners owns the .78-acre site, which is valued on the tax roll at $624,000.
The application comes before the Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday, Sept. 20.