Myrtle on Green

Why: The prosperous era of manufacturing in the USA included textile and furniture industries of the southeast. During the industrial revolution, North Carolina towns like High Point flourished thanks to an abundance of native hardwoods and railroad infrastructure, becoming known as the ‘furniture capital of the world’. As globalization shifted manufacturing offshore, factories and companies permanently vacated, leaving innumerable well-constructed buildings behind. Without efforts towards preservation, our history of industry will disappear,

What: The Myrtle Desk Company, a sprawling factory complex and fixture of High Point’s furniture industry thrived as the world’s largest office furniture company from 1900-1990. Auxiliary buildings were demolished, leaving little history or visual evidence. Located off Green Street, the company’s 3-story, 1920’s brick factory and wooden skyways persist including original glass block windows and industrial details. Green Street was a manufacturing hub, positioned alongside the Norfolk Southern railway and a short distance from many High Point amenities including the international Furniture Market.

How: As cities capitalize on the trend of adaptive reuse of now-shuttered, turn-of-the-century facilities, Myrtle Desk is following suit. The remaining structures will restore the grandeur and glamor of the era by becoming mixed-use hospitality and retail. Specifically a cocktail lounge, artisanal bakery, outdoor gathering space and relocation of Boxwood antiques. Original architectural and design elements will remain alongside a reimagined aesthetic replete with Art Deco finishes and fixtures. The name, Myrtle on Green, is a nod to the past and location as High Point looks ahead, repositioning itself for the future.