William Henry Belk House
Shortly after William Henry Belk became a success in retail, he commissioned Charles Christian Hook to build a house suitable for his family. Hook finished the plans for the house in 1924 and the house itself was built later that year by Thies-Smith Realty. The house was 2 1/2 stories and housed 16 rooms which the Belks used for raising their six children and social gatherings.(1) The design featured a colonial revival neo-classical style that Hook used often in his designs. The inside of the house features a double ascending staircase, large entry vestibule, and floor-to-ceiling windows. William Henry Belk passed away in 1952 but his wife continued to live there until her death in 1968.(2) Mary Belk donated the house to Presbyterian Hospital in her will and the building is now used for offices and receptions. As of November 2012, the house is undergoing renovations that will stay true to its original architecture.
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1. "William Henry Belk House," Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, Accessed November 10, 2012. http://www.cmhpf.org.
2. Ibid.