Jonas, Charles R., Federal Building
Also known as: United States Post Office and Courthouse
.jpg){kind=link}
Why it's listed
Occupying a full block at 401 West Trade Street in Charlotte, this federal building began in 1915 as a Renaissance-style post office and was extended in 1934 in the Neo-Classical Revival style, tripling its size and turning its main axis toward West Trade Street. The steel-frame structure has two levels and a basement. Its long facade is dominated by a colonnade of Corinthian columns, with a central portico and pediment. Inside, the L-shaped lobby has marble columns, wainscot and moldings, while the courtroom is paneled in oak with carved details. The site was home to the first branch of the U.S. Mint, built in 1836, and to an 1891 post office. In 1932, when the mint faced demolition, it was reconstructed in the Eastover section and became North Carolina's first art museum. The building was listed for its architecture, its size and its place in Charlotte's history.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building matters for its site, which held the 1836 branch mint and the 1891 post office, and for its architectural detailing and imposing size. The 1934 Neo-Classical Revival addition has a Corinthian colonnade, and the lobby and courtroom have rich marble and oak finishes. The building is also tied to the city's progress and to the decision to move the mint.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78001965, listed June 7, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 401 W. Trade St., Charlotte |
|---|---|
| County | Mecklenburg County |
| Listed | June 7, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78001965 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1915/Extended: 1934 |
| Architect / builder | James A. Wetmore, Acting Supervising Architect for U. S. Government Buildings |
| Architectural style | Renaissance (1915 section); Neo-Classical Revival (1934 addition) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in use as a U.S. District Court, related agencies and a downtown postal station; exterior and major interior spaces described as good to excellent condition, though some other interior spaces have been renovated with dropped ceilings and paneling. |
| Acreage | 2.9 |
| Coordinates | 35.23030, -80.84671 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 78001965.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5081857
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.