by Sharon Smith
It’s hard to imagine the intersection of South and East boulevards without Grace Covenant Church as an anchor leading into South End. The classic, colonial-style red brick church with an impressive portico has weathered the neighborhood’s evolution since 1910.
But South End is no longer an industrial hub surrounded by modest bungalow homes. It’s a modern, bustling slice of the city that brings fresh energy and attracts newcomers. So perhaps it’s fitting that Levine Museum of the New South, part of Charlotte’s fabric for more than 35 years, will make its home at this prominent intersection — and fill a void.
Despite being one the city’s largest and fastest growing neighborhoods, South End lacks a cultural institution.
That’s about to change. Early renderings of the new campus are impressive and depict a complete transformation of the .57-acre property. The modern, multi-story cultural hub features light-filled gathering spaces, like exhibit halls and a cafe.
“This new campus represents a bold step forward for the Museum and for Charlotte,” said museum president and CEO, Dr. Richard Cooper. “It will be more than a museum—it will be a gathering space where history sparks conversation and where diverse perspectives come together to explore what the New South has been and what it is becoming.”
The nationally-acclaimed museum, known for connecting people to the histories and cultures that define the New South, has been without a permanent home for several years. Most recently, Levine Museum moved out of an interim space at 401 S. Tryon Street in 2025 and shifted programming online and to venues across the city. It had a home on 7th Street in uptown for more than 20 years, until 2022.
Architecture design studio Pickard Chilton, a firm known for designing cultural and civic institutions, leads the project. And Museum leaders want feedback — expect community engagement opportunities to be announced soon.
In-person and digital programming will continue during the transition. SP
