Plans For Re-Developing A Historic Charlotte Club On Hold

The future of a piece of Charlotte history is in the air. The Excelsior Club was once a thriving piece of Charlotte’s social scene. The membership only club hosted names like Nat King Cole, James Brown and more before shutting it’s doors in 2016.

“It’s just sitting there, and I hate it had to go down like that,” David Robinson, Washington Heights Resident said.

Neighbors say it has become an eyesore on Beatties Ford Road. They’ve noticed little progress since it closed in 2016.

“Maybe the city needs to step in. Maybe the city needs to purchase it and make it a landmark. Put it a park out there,” Theo Hemphill, Washington Heights Resident said.

Kenwood Investments bought the property for $1.3 million dollars in 2019 with plans to reopen the club with a hotel and more. Malcolm Graham, chair of Charlotte City Council Jobs and Economic Development Committee says those plans are at a standstill.

“Those plans seem not to be coming to fruition,” Councilman Graham said. “So, we’re just kind of following the lead and the pace of the owner. There’s some understanding that it may be up for sale.”

This members only club opened back in 1944 as one of few safe spaces for Black people during segregation.

“I want to preserve as much of it as we can in conjunction with someone who has the appropriate vision, finances and the commitment to seeing something different there,” Councilman Graham said.

Kenwood Investments did not return WCCB’s calls about the status of the project. Neighbors remain hopeful they’ll get to enjoy the club again.

“I wish they would open it again for it to be a nice spot, but who knows?,” David Robinson, Washington Heights Resident said.