Congratulations to Thornwell Books on their Grand Opening in downtown Morganton!
Around Burke County...
Little Guatemala's Soft Opening!
June 15 was the soft-opening for Little Guatemala - exactly 3 years from the day they purchased the building. We are so proud of Christian and Erica and all of the people that have helped breathe new life into this building and into the community. CONGRATULATIONS!
Construction Tour of NCSSM-Morganton
We’re privileged to live in Morganton, NC and to get to see the birth of a new campus in real time! The collaborative spaces are taking shape, both inside and outside of the buildings. One of the most exciting experiences while walking through the site is to see the way the buildings shape the outdoor spaces and frame views to the beautiful environment around the campus.
Murphy's Farm Demo Day
Demo day is always exciting! Fortunately for our team, the bones of these historic barns are in great shape and ready for V. Stewart McKee Construction to breathe some new life into the structures. Stay tuned for construction progress over the next several months!
Foothills Dermatology Construction Progress
Construction is well underway for the newest addition to Alpine Mill in Morganton. This 3,300 SF upfit will provide a modern medical facility within the walls of the historic mill originally constructed in the early 1900’s.
Burke Arts Council Reading Loft
Framing started on the Burke Arts Reading Loft. Visitors will be able to read about art and artists while overlooking the main gallery.
Little Guatemala: A Cultural Hotspot in Morganton, NC
We can nearly smell the freshly roasted coffee beans from Little Guatemala… Christian and Erica and a team of friends, volunteers, and workers are putting in the final push to wrap up this initial phase of their construction. Coffee shop, cafe, event space, indoor soccer field - this labor of love will soon be a cultural hotspot in Morganton highlighting the perfect blend of North Carolina and Guatemalan culture.
JD's Smokehouse Gamewell - April construction
April was an exciting month for JD’s Smokehouse in Gamewell, NC! The slab was poured and the roof trusses were installed for the twelve-foot deep perimeter porch around the front and the sides of the restaurant. Outdoor dining will be available on the porch year round due to the ceiling fans and heaters. We are also in the process of installing electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems. Stay tuned for the exterior cladding to begin this upcoming month!
Murphy's Farm Groundbreaking
May 14 delivered a beautiful afternoon for the groundbreaking at Murphy’s Farm. Inspiring words from the many advocates for the project that worked for over years to bring the development into reality. Homes Urban LLC, Burke Development, Inc., NC Hometown Strong, Western Piedmont Community College, Burke County Commission, and the City of Morganton - just a few of the key players represented in the groundbreaking ceremony.
Learn more about this project
The Burke Arts Council - April Construction
Interior finishes are going in and the spaces are taking shape. New windows are bringing light into the former warehouse. We are looking forward to the major exterior improvements to create new front and rear entrances as well as an outdoor event space.
Adaptive Re-use 01 - Construction Update
Construction progress on an exciting residential adaptive re-use.
Onsite with Superior Walls
Site visit today in Nebo for our first house using Superior Walls for both the first and second levels of the house. The structural integrity, energy efficiency, low maintenance, and speed of installation, made this product an obvious choice for the Owner. And with current lumber prices… the cost premium was negligible.
ADAPTIVE RE-USE 02 - POSSIBILITIES
North Carolina continues to see population growth and a strong economy. The evidence of this can be seen in the rebirth of small towns throughout the state. Western North Carolina has a rich history, beautiful scenery, and historic buildings that anchor the small towns in the region. We are excited to start exploring the possibilities of this 120 year old beauty in downtown Marion. Bricked up and neglected, the second floor will once again have daylight, fresh air, and new occupants to begin its next chapter.
Celebrating Earth Day with Superior Walls
We are celebrating Earth Day with this Superior Walls system which we use on several projects including three houses and our new JD’s Smokehouse. Superior walls foundations feature a continuous layer of insulation bonded directly to the concrete resulting in high energy efficiency to reduce energy costs. We love this product because it reduces jobsite waste, improves indoor air quality and saves valuable natural resources.
What is Programming in Architecture?
Architectural programming is a process that helps the architect and the owner define the goals and objectives for a project. Before the design phase begins, programming provides clarity as to how a building needs to function and perform.
Construction Tour with the Morganton Main Street Advisory Board
On April 7, the Morganton Main Street Advisory Board toured our Adaptive Reuse 01 building currently halfway through construction. We are excited that Morganton’s very own were able to tour one of our latest projects.
The existing historic structure features over 5,000 sf of space being renovated for private residential use in downtown Morganton. The two story building will also feature a roof deck with stunning mountain views. The long and narrow design prioritizes natural daylight with the use of skylights and an atrium. This project is expected to be completed later this year, so stay tuned for more construction updates!
April is National Poetry Month
The NVERSE team was out on the streets today spreading some culture! We were excited to help out Morganton’s new Cultural Arts Commission with two efforts raising awareness for National Poetry Month.
Using a super-hydrophobic coating (Rainworks), our team stenciled poems around town that will only be visible when wet. Next rainy day, keep an eye out for random poetry on the sidewalks in Morganton!
For indoor poetry inspiration, the Morganton Cultural Arts Commission has set up several stations for Black Out Poetry. Black Out Poems are when a person takes a marker (usually black marker) to already established text—like in a newspaper—and starts redacting words until a poem is formed. The key thing with a blackout poem is that the text AND redacted text form a sort of visual poem. A big thanks to TOSS for helping out with the poetry paraphernalia.
Modular Tiny Home
We are in production with our first tiny home model for Foothills Custom Cabins.
Alpine Mill
Exploring new possibilities for a historic old mill in Morganton.
Murphy's Farm Commons
Murphy’s Farm Commons will support amenities for a new development in the Broughton District. The adaptive re-use will preserve two historic brick barns originally constructed in the 1930’s. Exciting things to come!
