Owners behind popular Charlotte restaurants working to save historic Dilworth building

CHARLOTTE — The owners of popular Charlotte restaurants are working to preserve another historic site.

The Leeper-Wyatt building is pending a move. The top two stories of the brick structure could be transported from South Boulevard to Cleveland Avenue, where restaurateurs Jamie Brown and Jeff Tonidandel are transforming a former historic church into a new steak and surf concept called Leluia Hall.

The Leeper-Wyatt building would be positioned next to Leluia Hall and remain part of historic Dilworth, according to the couple.

The Lepper-Wyatt building is the oldest brick commercial building in Dilworth and currently sits vacant. Work is set to begin this summer on high-rise apartments where historic buildings are currently located.

“It’s such a loss for Charlotte, because it will just get demolished,” Brown said. “Even at this very moment, that building is unprotected, they can knock it down at any time.”

Tonidandel and Brown, who also own Supperland and Haberdish, aren’t yet sure what they will use the building for, but they hope to save it.

“Our main goal is to just save the building and secure it in a good spot. We will come up with a plan once it’s in place and we can see it in its new home,” Tonidandel said.

If the city approves the request for rezoning, the building will be moved later this year.

For more information on the history of the Leeper-Wyatt landmark, click here.

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