North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Charlotte City Council has approved funding for the restoration and redevelopment of the historic Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road. The city and Mecklenburg County will each contribute $1.5 million toward the $8.3 million project, with the remaining $5.3 million coming from private and philanthropic sources.
The Excelsior Club, founded in 1944 by Jimmie and Minnie McKee, was a major African American social and political institution in the Southeast. Over the years, it hosted prominent figures including Bill Clinton, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, James Brown, and Sam Cooke. The site also appeared in the Green Book, guiding African Americans to safe destinations during the Jim Crow era. The building has been vacant since 2016.
Redevelopment will be led by Kennedy Property & Development, and Crosland Southeast. Plans call for the property to become a community and entertainment venue, preserving its legacy while offering new programming.
The restored space will include a modern juke joint restaurant with live music, healthy American cuisine, and spaces for community events such as festivals, farmers markets, performing arts workshops, mentoring programs, and free event space for local organizations. The project will also feature culinary training, workforce development programs, and second-chance hiring initiatives.
City and county officials worked with the development team to align the project with community investment and economic revitalization goals. Most of the city’s contribution, $1.31 million, comes from federal American Rescue Plan Act revenue replacement funds, with additional funding from the Corridors of Opportunity program.
Developers will replicate key architectural elements, including the façade and signature entrance, while updating the structure for modern accessibility and programming. Funding will be disbursed after construction milestones are met, and developers will submit plans for approval by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission. An annual impact report will track community engagement for up to 10 years.