A year ago we celebrated with John Moretz as he, his wife Marilyn, Kathy Ireland and Hank Guess cut the ribbon at Moretz Mills’ grand opening. Today the 82,000 square foot commercial space is leased out over 90 percent with BOCA Restaurant as its latest addition.

CBSA became involved in the project in 2013 as the architect/designer for the revitalization and adaptive reuse of the 1920s hosiery mill. With major additions in the 1930s, 1940s and the latest addition in 1966, each space created new excitement and challenges for what the building would eventually hold. Concepts ranging from commercial to retail to food service were all considered. Even mixed-used occupancy with one and two bedroom lofts were an option at one time. As tenants solidified, so did the space. Our firm designed not only the shell and general upfits but also spaces for specific tenants such as Moretz Marketing, Vitality Medical Spa, Southeast Retirement Planners, South Side Power and Fitness Center, 74 South Event Venue and Moretz Mills Corporate Offices.

In June of 2015, Blue Bloodhound announced they planned to occupy the second-floor of the renovated Moretz Mills and asked CBSA to design most of the remaining space that was not occupied in the Mill to meet their needs. Plans then began in the Fall for BOCA, the new restaurant housed in Moretz Mills and spearheaded by Youssef Amrani. All the designs were dove-tailed with the state and federal grants associated with the historic status of the Mill.

Our firm is excited to see the continued revitalization of our historic buildings such as the Mill in Hickory and the surrounding area. It’s an honor to be a part of bringing these old buildings back to life. For more information on our adaptive reuse and historic preservation projects, contact us at info@cbsa-architects or 828.322.3403.