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{{Infobox building
{{Infobox building
|name = Two Wells Fargo Center
|name = Two Wells Fargo Center
|image = Two Wells Fargo Center S Tryon.jpg
|image = Two Wells Fargo Center November 2022.jpg
|image_size = 200px
|image_size = 200px
|caption =
|caption =
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|building_type = Office
|building_type = Office
|architectural_style = [[Modern architecture|Modern]]
|architectural_style = [[Modern architecture|Modern]]
|antenna_spire = {{convert|433|ft|m}}<ref name="Two Wells">{{cite news|url=https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/two-wells-fargo-center/10609|title=Two Wells Fargo Center|work=Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat|access-date=28 November 2022}}</ref>
|antenna_spire = {{convert|433|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|roof =
|roof =
|top_floor =
|top_floor =
|floor_count = 32
|floor_count = 32
|floor_area = {{Convert|758,508|sqft|m2}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/subscriber-only/2022/10/28/charlottes-largest-office-buildings.html|
title=Wachovia a year later: Charlotte's largest office buildings|first1=Amy|last1=Sharipo|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|date=22 October 2022|access-date=24 December 2022}}</ref>
|elevator_count =
|elevator_count =
|cost =
|cost =
|floor_area =
|architect =
|architect =
|structural_engineer=
|structural_engineer=
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|references =
|references =
}}
}}
'''Two Wells Fargo Center''' is a {{convert|433|ft|m|0|adj=on}} [[skyscraper]] in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]. Completed in 1971, it surpassed the [[Winston Tower]] in [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina|Winston-Salem]] as the tallest building in North Carolina, until 1974 when it was surpassed by [[One South at The Plaza|Bank of America Plaza]]. It is currently the 13th tallest building in Charlotte. The building consists of 32 floors, an [[Atrium (architecture)|atrium]], plaza, seven-story [[Multistorey car park|parking garage]], and is connected to neighboring buildings via [[Skyway|skybridge]]s, as part of the [[Overstreet Mall]].
'''Two Wells Fargo Center''' is a {{convert|433|ft|m|0|adj=on}} high rise in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]. Completed in 1971.<ref name="Two Wells"/> It is currently the 14th tallest building in Charlotte. The building consists of 32 floors, an [[Atrium (architecture)|atrium]], plaza, seven-story [[Multistorey car park|parking garage]], and is connected to neighboring buildings via [[Skyway|skybridge]]s, as part of the [[Overstreet Mall]].<ref name="Two Wells Fargo Center">{{cite web|url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/121702/two-wells-fargo-center-charlotte-nc-usa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416115759/http://www.emporis.com/buildings/121702/two-wells-fargo-center-charlotte-nc-usa|url-status=usurped|archive-date=April 16, 2015|title=Two Wells Fargo Center|access-date=September 24, 2021|publisher=Emporis}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The building was designed by LaBella Associates, formerly known as Pease Engineering and Architecture, with David Julian Moore was the architect on-site functioning as construction administrator.
The building was designed by LaBella Associates, formerly known as Pease Engineering and Architecture, with David Julian Moore was the architect on-site functioning as construction administrator.


When completed, the 32-story building was called '''Jefferson First Union Tower'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nodachurch.com/wp-content/uploads/JMPC%20Timeline.pdf|title=Johnston Memorial Presbyterian Church Timeline|access-date=2009-12-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714190723/http://nodachurch.com/wp-content/uploads/JMPC%20Timeline.pdf|archive-date=2011-07-14|url-status=dead}}</ref> When it was completed it became the tallest building in [[North Carolina]], overtaking the [[Winston Tower]] in [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina|Winston-Salem]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2022/08/18/jtm-capital-purchases-triad-building-wachovia.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Charlotte company buys downtown Winston-Salem tower that once housed Wachovia headquarters
When completed, the 32-story building was called '''Jefferson First Union Tower'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nodachurch.com/wp-content/uploads/JMPC%20Timeline.pdf|title=Johnston Memorial Presbyterian Church Timeline|access-date=2009-12-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714190723/http://nodachurch.com/wp-content/uploads/JMPC%20Timeline.pdf|archive-date=2011-07-14|url-status=dead}}</ref> It became the tallest building in [[North Carolina]], overtaking the [[Winston Tower]] in [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina|Winston-Salem]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2022/08/18/jtm-capital-purchases-triad-building-wachovia.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Charlotte company buys downtown Winston-Salem tower that once housed Wachovia headquarters
|first=Brasier|last=John|access-date=24 October 2022|date=18 August 2022}}</ref> Later, the building was renamed First Union Plaza. First Union still owned the 12-story building on Tryon Street. The existing [[Masonic Temple]] was also on the block. When [[First Union]] employees began moving into the new headquarters in February 1988, that building was called [[One Wells Fargo Center|One First Union Center]]. The name Two First Union Center referred to the 32-story tower,<ref>M.S. Van Hecke, "First Union Moving into New Tower,"''The Charlotte Observer'', February 6, 1988.</ref> while the term "Two First Union complex" also included the shorter building, which was known for its [[Charlotte Hornets (1988–2002)|Charlotte Hornets]] [[mural]]s.
|first=Brasier|last=John|access-date=24 October 2022|date=18 August 2022}}</ref> The [[13th floor]] contains only equipment and no offices.<ref>{{cite news|title=Broken Valve Kills Friday The 13th Chill|last=McBane|first=Wendy|work=The Charlotte Observer|date=September 14, 1985|page=Metro 1}}</ref> Later, the building was renamed First Union Plaza. When [[First Union]] employees began moving into the new headquarters in February 1988, that building was called [[One Wells Fargo Center|One First Union Center]]. The name Two First Union Center referred to the 32-story tower,<ref>M.S. Van Hecke, "First Union Moving into New Tower,"''The Charlotte Observer'', February 6, 1988.</ref> while the term "Two First Union complex" also included a 12-story building next door.<ref name=Smith>{{cite news|title=Wachovia To Vacate Building: 12-Story Building At Two First Union Started Race For Bigger Towers 50 Years Ago|last=Smith|first=Doug|work=The Charlotte Observer|date=August 7, 2003|page=1D}}</ref>


⚫
Since the building was built it has been one of the bank's main buildings, mostly filled with bank employees.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2009/12/14/daily44.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Wells-Wachovia to consolidate uptown Charlotte offices|last1=O'Daniel|first1=Adam|last2=Boye|first2=Will|access-date=24 October 2022|date=18 December 2009}}</ref> Over the years there have been a few other tenants including Speedway Motorsports leased {{Convert|20,000 |sqft|m2|0}} in 1998 to house 20 employees,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/1998/03/09/tidbits.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Humpy wheels out office deal
⚫
The shorter building was built in 1954 to serve as the headquarters of Union National Bank later First Union National Bank. The original building was 9 story, 3 stories were added in the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2005/01/17/focus5.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Wachovia building wins reprieve with renovation|last=Pfeifer|first=Jay|access-date=23 October 2022|date=17 January 2005}}</ref> Wachovia planned to move its 900 employees out of the shorter building by the end of 2003. It was believed to be too outdated to occupy.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2003/08/04/daily34.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Wachovia to vacate Two First Union|access-date=23 October 2022|date=7 August 2003}}</ref> but decided to renovate it instead. The renovations costs were about equal to the cost to rebuild it. Chris Scorsone the lead designer of the renovation with Little Diversified Architectural Consulting said this about it "We looked at this as just another evolution of the building. The important part of the building was the location, not its style. This is an important part of the Wachovia campus."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2005/01/17/focus5.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Wachovia building wins reprieve with renovation|last=Pfeifer|first=Jay|access-date=23 October 2022|date=17 January 2005}}</ref> The last renovation had taken place in the 1970s.<ref name=Rothacker>Rick Rothacker, "A Better Face for Wachovia at Third, Tryon", ''The Charlotte Observer'', October 21, 2004, p. 1D.</ref> The new project involved moving some employees temporarily to the [[BellSouth]] building and other locations, the bank returned to the building in Spring 2006.<ref>Rick Rothacker, "Wachovia Projects to Change Uptown's Look", ''The Charlotte Observer'', February 25, 2006, p. 1D.</ref> In May 2006, it was repainted from beige to gray to complement the renovated color scheme at the neighboring Wachovia Main. On October 12, 2006, the bank's new flagship branch opened on the ground floor. It replaced branches in [[One Wells Fargo Center|One]] and [[Three Wells Fargo Center|Three Wachovia Center]] and at {{convert|8500|sqft}}, was one of the bank's largest, using the style of branches in New York City and [[Dallas]].<ref>Binyamin Appelbaum, "Wachovia Site Seeks Walk-Ups", ''The Charlotte Observer'', November 16, 2005, p. 1D.</ref><ref>Binyamin Appelbaum, "Bank Notes: An Occasional Roundup of News in the No. 2 Bank Town, ''The Charlotte Observer'', October 13, 2006, p. 2D.</ref>

⚫
The Charlotte Masonic Temple at 329 S Tryon St. was already on the corner of South Tryon and Third Street when Union National Bank later [[First Union]] built the shorter building. It was built in 1915 for $122,750. The building was designed by architect C. C. Hook to be Egyptian-Revival architecture. In 1937 a fire gutted the building and it seemed like a total loss. However, it 1938 it was restored and rededicated. In 1985, First Union bought the [[Masonic Temple]]. Then in 1987 it was demolished. The former property is now occupied by Wells Fargo Plaza. The two massive columns of the building façade are now on display on Dave Lyle Blvd. in Rock Hill, SC.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/retro-charlotte/article44484876.html|work=[[Charlotte Observer]]|title=Egyptian Revival architecture on Tryon Street|last=David|first=Maria|access-date=24 October 2022|date=18 November 2015}}</ref>

⚫
In 1998 [[First Union]] began consider building a 72 story building on the plaza to house additional employees in [[Uptown Charlotte|Uptown]]. Even with the construction of the [[Three Wells Fargo Center|Three First Union Center]] the company still didn't think they would have enough space. The project was tentatively called Four First Union.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/1998/09/07/story1.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=First Union to tower 72 stories|last=Spanberg|first=Erik|access-date=24 October 2022|date=7 September 1198}}</ref> However, the plans for the new tower were putting on hold indefinitely in September 1999 due to the company's poor performance on the stock market.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/1998/09/07/story1.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=First Union tower plans toppled|last1=Howard|first1=J. Lee|last2=Spanberg|first2=Erik|access-date=24 October 2022|date=6 September 1999}}</ref>

⚫
Since the building was built it has been one of the bank's main building, mostly filled with bank employees.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2009/12/14/daily44.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Wells-Wachovia to consolidate uptown Charlotte offices|last1=O'Daniel|first1=Adam|last2=Boye|first2=Will|access-date=24 October 2022|date=18 December 2009}}</ref> Over the years there have been a few other tenants including Speedway Motorsports leased {{Convert|20,000 |sqft|m2|0}} in 1998 to house 20 employees,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/1998/03/09/tidbits.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Humpy wheels out office deal
|last1=Spanberg|first1=Erik|access-date=24 October 2022|date=9 March 1998}}</ref> also in 1998 Ruddick Corp., the former owner of [[Harris Teeter]] leased space,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/1998/07/27/daily4.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Ruddick renews at Two First Union
|last1=Spanberg|first1=Erik|access-date=24 October 2022|date=9 March 1998}}</ref> also in 1998 Ruddick Corp., the former owner of [[Harris Teeter]] leased space,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/1998/07/27/daily4.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Ruddick renews at Two First Union
|access-date=24 October 2022|date=27 July 1998}}</ref> in 2006 law firm Downer, Walters & Mitchener vacated {{Convert|6,000 |sqft|m2|0}} on the 17th floor to move to an office on Morehead St,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/1998/07/27/daily4.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Law firm moving to Morehead
|access-date=24 October 2022|date=27 July 1998}}</ref> in 2006 law firm Downer, Walters & Mitchener vacated {{Convert|6,000 |sqft|m2|0}} on the 17th floor to move to an office on Morehead St,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/1998/07/27/daily4.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Law firm moving to Morehead
|first=Howard|last=J. Lee|access-date=24 October 2022|date=15 May 2006}}</ref> and CIT Group leased space in the building until 2010.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/real_estate/2010/05/cit_group_signs_at_south_tryon_square.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=CIT Group signs at South Tryon Square
|first=Howard|last=J. Lee|access-date=24 October 2022|date=15 May 2006}}</ref> and CIT Group leased space in the building until 2010.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/real_estate/2010/05/cit_group_signs_at_south_tryon_square.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=CIT Group signs at South Tryon Square
|first=Boye|last=Will|access-date=24 October 2022|date=11 May 2010}}</ref> After the merger with [[Wells Fargo]] the building along with [[One Wells Fargo Center|One Wachovia]], [[Three Wells Fargo Center|Three Wachovia]], and [[Duke Energy Center]] became the bank's main buildings in [[Uptown Charlotte|Uptown]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2009/12/14/daily44.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Wells-Wachovia to consolidate uptown Charlotte offices|last1=O'Daniel|first1=Adam|last2=Boye|first2=Will|access-date=24 October 2022|date=18 December 2009}}</ref>
|first=Boye|last=Will|access-date=24 October 2022|date=11 May 2010}}</ref> After the merger with [[Wells Fargo]] the building along with [[One Wells Fargo Center|One Wachovia]], [[Three Wells Fargo Center|Three Wachovia]], and [[Duke Energy Center]] became the bank's main buildings in [[Uptown Charlotte|Uptown]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2009/12/14/daily44.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Wells-Wachovia to consolidate uptown Charlotte offices|last1=O'Daniel|first1=Adam|last2=Boye|first2=Will|access-date=24 October 2022|date=18 December 2009}}</ref>

In December 2010, as a result of [[Wells Fargo]]'s 2008 purchase of Wachovia, the larger building was renamed Two Wells Fargo Center.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2010/12/15/wells-fargo-puts-its-name-on-uptown.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Wells Fargo puts its name on uptown Charlotte bank towers|last=O'Daniel|first=Adam|access-date=24 October 2022|date=15 December 2010}}</ref>
As the bank changed names the buildings were renamed multiple times. In January 2002 all [[First Union]] buildings were taken the Wachovia name as a result of [[First Union]] purchasing Wachovia. Two First Union became Two Wachovia Center.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2002/01/14/daily52.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Wachovia renames Charlotte's First Union buildings|last=Tannenbaum|first=Fred|access-date=25 October 2022|date=18 January 2002}}</ref> In December 2010, as a result of [[Wells Fargo]]'s 2008 purchase of Wachovia, the building was renamed Two Wells Fargo Center.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2010/12/15/wells-fargo-puts-its-name-on-uptown.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Wells Fargo puts its name on uptown Charlotte bank towers|last=O'Daniel|first=Adam|access-date=24 October 2022|date=15 December 2010}}</ref>

In January 2023 Wells Fargo announced it will be exiting [[One Wells Fargo Center]] and Two Wells Fargo Center by the end of 2023. The employees from these two buildings will be consolidated into [[550 South Tryon]] and [[Three Wells Fargo Center]]. After consolidation is complete Wells Fargo will occupy 95% of [[550 South Tryon]]. The bank will be renovating 21 floors of 550 South Tryon and the food court. Three Wells Fargo Center will have 14 renovated over the next two to three years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2023/01/31/wells-fargo-moving-employees-uptown-headquarters.html|title=Wells Fargo to fill former Duke Energy building and invest in University-area campus|first1=Symone|last1=Graham|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|date=31 January 2023|access-date=13 February 2023}}</ref>

In June 2023 the 32 story tower, 12 story building, and the 3.4 acre lot were listed for sale. Real estate firm CBRE was hired to market the buildings. No specific price released nor was any information about interested in the property discussed. The sale of the property is part of a larger effort by Wells Fargo to reduce its real estate footprint in Uptown.<ref name="CBJ Two Wells Fargo Center for Sale">{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2023/06/01/wells-fargo-looks-to-sell-prime-uptown-property.html|title=Wells Fargo looks to sell prime uptown property and tower as it prepares to condense office footprint|first1=Elise|last1=Franco|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|date=1 June 2023|access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref> As of August 2023 CBRE is currently in the early of stages of finding potential buyers to convert the buildings to multifamily residential.<ref name="Wells office conversion">{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2023/08/17/aging-office-buildings-conversions-residential.html|title=Uptown Charlotte to see uptick in office conversions amid market challenges?|first1=Elise|last1=Franco|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|date=17 August 2023|access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref>

In January 2024 two proposals were submitted to Charlotte Center Partners sponsored Reimagining Vintage Office Design Competition showcased how the building could be redesigned. The first proposal was by Gensler it includes converting part of the 32 story tower into a 324 unit residential tower and renovating the 12 story building to be a modern office building. The second proposal by Little Diversified Architectural Consulting would convert the entire building into a residential tower and include ground floor retail.<ref name="Proposed remakes">{{cite web |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2024/01/10/center-city-partners-childress-klein-wells-fargo.html|title=Proposed remakes of One Wells Fargo, former Duke Energy HQ win Charlotte Center City Partners contest|first=Elise|last1=Franco|date=10 January 2024|access-date=12 January 2024|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]}}</ref>

==Related buildings==
⚫
The shorter building in the Two First Union complex was built in 1954 to serve as the headquarters of Union National Bank, later First Union National Bank. The original building was 9 stories; 3 stories were added in the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2005/01/17/focus5.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Wachovia building wins reprieve with renovation|last=Pfeifer|first=Jay|access-date=23 October 2022|date=17 January 2005}}</ref> The building was known for its {{convert|21000|sqft|sqm|0|adj=on}} [[Charlotte Hornets (1988–2002)|Charlotte Hornets]] [[mural]] which lasted four years.<ref>{{cite news|title=Artist's `Never-Ending' Mural Is Finally Finished|last=Price|first=Mark|work=The Charlotte Observer|date=December 10, 2007|page=1A}}</ref><ref name=Smith/> Wachovia planned to move its 900 employees out of the shorter building by the end of 2003. It was believed to be too outdated to occupy<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2003/08/04/daily34.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Wachovia to vacate Two First Union|access-date=23 October 2022|date=7 August 2003}}</ref> but the decision was made to renovate it instead. The renovation costs were about equal to the cost to rebuild it. Chris Scorsone the lead designer of the renovation with Little Diversified Architectural Consulting said this about it "We looked at this as just another evolution of the building. The important part of the building was the location, not its style. This is an important part of the Wachovia campus."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2005/01/17/focus5.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Wachovia building wins reprieve with renovation|last=Pfeifer|first=Jay|access-date=23 October 2022|date=17 January 2005}}</ref> The last renovation had taken place in the 1970s.<ref name=Rothacker>Rick Rothacker, "A Better Face for Wachovia at Third, Tryon", ''The Charlotte Observer'', October 21, 2004, p. 1D.</ref> The new project involved moving some employees temporarily to the [[BellSouth]] building and other locations, the bank returned to the building in Spring 2006.<ref>Rick Rothacker, "Wachovia Projects to Change Uptown's Look", ''The Charlotte Observer'', February 25, 2006, p. 1D.</ref> In May 2006, it was repainted from beige to gray to complement the renovated color scheme at the neighboring Wachovia Main. On October 12, 2006, the bank's new flagship branch opened on the ground floor. It replaced branches in [[One Wells Fargo Center|One]] and Three Wachovia Center and at {{convert|8500|sqft}}, was one of the bank's largest, using the style of branches in New York City and [[Dallas]].<ref>Binyamin Appelbaum, "Wachovia Site Seeks Walk-Ups", ''The Charlotte Observer'', November 16, 2005, p. 1D.</ref><ref>Binyamin Appelbaum, "Bank Notes: An Occasional Roundup of News in the No. 2 Bank Town, ''The Charlotte Observer'', October 13, 2006, p. 2D.</ref>

⚫
The Charlotte Masonic Temple at 329 S Tryon St. was already on the corner of South Tryon and Third Street when Union National Bank built the shorter building. It was built in 1915 for $122,750. The building was designed by architect C. C. Hook to be Egyptian-Revival architecture. In 1937 a fire gutted the building and it seemed like a total loss. However, it 1938 it was restored and rededicated. In 1985, First Union bought the [[Masonic Temple]]. Then in 1987 it was demolished. The former property is now occupied by Wells Fargo Plaza. The two massive columns of the building façade are now on display on Dave Lyle Blvd. in Rock Hill, SC.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/retro-charlotte/article44484876.html|work=[[Charlotte Observer]]|title=Egyptian Revival architecture on Tryon Street|last=David|first=Maria|access-date=24 October 2022|date=18 November 2015}}</ref>

⚫
In 1998 [[First Union]] began considering building a 72-story building on the plaza to house additional employees in [[Uptown Charlotte|Uptown]]. The plan was for the tower to occupy where the 12 story tower currently stands, the atrium, some of the parking deck, and space in the plaza on South Tryon. Even with the construction of the [[Three Wells Fargo Center|Three First Union Center]] the company still didn't think they would have enough space. The bank planned to construct a building as grand as [[Bank of America Corporate Center]]. Before cancelling the project the bank was considering New York architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox as one of the two finalists for designing the building. KPF famously designed [[Shanghai World Financial Center]], which opened in 2008. The other finalist was Atlanta architecture firm Thompson Ventulett Stainback & Associates, which designed [[One Wells Fargo Center]]. The project was tentatively called Four First Union.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/1998/09/07/story1.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=First Union to tower 72 stories|last=Spanberg|first=Erik|access-date=24 October 2022|date=7 September 1198}}</ref> However, the plans for the new tower were putting on hold indefinitely in September 1999 due to the company's poor performance on the stock market.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/1998/09/07/story1.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=First Union tower plans toppled|last1=Howard|first1=J. Lee|last2=Spanberg|first2=Erik|access-date=24 October 2022|date=6 September 1999}}</ref> In 2002 the final renderings of the building were leaked. The renderings showed 100 floors with 80 usable. If the building were built it would've been 40 floors taller than the city's current tallest building, Bank of America Corporate Center.<ref name="BofA">{{cite news|url=https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/bank-of-america-corporate-center/711|title=Bank of America Corporate Center|work=Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat|access-date=28 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/1998/09/07/story1.html|work=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|title=Four First Union renderings revealed for first time|last1=Zoghby|first1=J.c.|access-date=8 August 2023|date=13 May 2022}}</ref>


{{wide image|Two Wells Fargo Center 12-story tower on South Tryon November 2022.jpg|400px|align-cap=center|The 12-story building in November 2022}}


==See also==
==See also==
* [[List of tallest buildings in Charlotte]]
* [[List of tallest buildings in Charlotte]]
*[[List of tallest buildings in North Carolina]]
*[[List of tallest buildings in North Carolina]]
*[[One Wells Fargo Center]]
*[[Three Wells Fargo Center]]


==References==
==References==
Line 62: Line 71:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{commons category-inline}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070220003510/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=2wachoviacenter-charlotte-nc-usa Emporis]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070220003510/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=2wachoviacenter-charlotte-nc-usa Emporis]}}


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
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[[Category:Office buildings completed in 1971]]
[[Category:Office buildings completed in 1971]]
[[Category:Wells Fargo buildings]]
[[Category:Wells Fargo buildings]]
[[Category:Uptown Charlotte]]

Latest revision as of 19:10, 26 August 2024

Two Wells Fargo Center
Map
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeOffice
Architectural styleModern
Location325 South Tryon Street
Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Coordinates35°13′29″N 80°50′41″W / 35.2247°N 80.8447°W / 35.2247; -80.8447
Construction started1968
Completed1971
Opening1971
Height
Antenna spire433 feet (132 m)[1]
Technical details
Floor count32
Floor area758,508 square feet (70,467.7 m2)[2]
Other information
ParkingOn site parking garage
Public transit accessLight rail interchange 3rd Street/CC

Two Wells Fargo Center is a 433-foot (132 m) high rise in Charlotte, North Carolina. Completed in 1971.[1] It is currently the 14th tallest building in Charlotte. The building consists of 32 floors, an atrium, plaza, seven-story parking garage, and is connected to neighboring buildings via skybridges, as part of the Overstreet Mall.[3]

History

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The building was designed by LaBella Associates, formerly known as Pease Engineering and Architecture, with David Julian Moore was the architect on-site functioning as construction administrator.

When completed, the 32-story building was called Jefferson First Union Tower.[4] It became the tallest building in North Carolina, overtaking the Winston Tower in Winston-Salem.[5] The 13th floor contains only equipment and no offices.[6] Later, the building was renamed First Union Plaza. When First Union employees began moving into the new headquarters in February 1988, that building was called One First Union Center. The name Two First Union Center referred to the 32-story tower,[7] while the term "Two First Union complex" also included a 12-story building next door.[8]

Since the building was built it has been one of the bank's main buildings, mostly filled with bank employees.[9] Over the years there have been a few other tenants including Speedway Motorsports leased 20,000 square feet (1,858 m2) in 1998 to house 20 employees,[10] also in 1998 Ruddick Corp., the former owner of Harris Teeter leased space,[11] in 2006 law firm Downer, Walters & Mitchener vacated 6,000 square feet (557 m2) on the 17th floor to move to an office on Morehead St,[12] and CIT Group leased space in the building until 2010.[13] After the merger with Wells Fargo the building along with One Wachovia, Three Wachovia, and Duke Energy Center became the bank's main buildings in Uptown.[14]

As the bank changed names the buildings were renamed multiple times. In January 2002 all First Union buildings were taken the Wachovia name as a result of First Union purchasing Wachovia. Two First Union became Two Wachovia Center.[15] In December 2010, as a result of Wells Fargo's 2008 purchase of Wachovia, the building was renamed Two Wells Fargo Center.[16]

In January 2023 Wells Fargo announced it will be exiting One Wells Fargo Center and Two Wells Fargo Center by the end of 2023. The employees from these two buildings will be consolidated into 550 South Tryon and Three Wells Fargo Center. After consolidation is complete Wells Fargo will occupy 95% of 550 South Tryon. The bank will be renovating 21 floors of 550 South Tryon and the food court. Three Wells Fargo Center will have 14 renovated over the next two to three years.[17]

In June 2023 the 32 story tower, 12 story building, and the 3.4 acre lot were listed for sale. Real estate firm CBRE was hired to market the buildings. No specific price released nor was any information about interested in the property discussed. The sale of the property is part of a larger effort by Wells Fargo to reduce its real estate footprint in Uptown.[18] As of August 2023 CBRE is currently in the early of stages of finding potential buyers to convert the buildings to multifamily residential.[19]

In January 2024 two proposals were submitted to Charlotte Center Partners sponsored Reimagining Vintage Office Design Competition showcased how the building could be redesigned. The first proposal was by Gensler it includes converting part of the 32 story tower into a 324 unit residential tower and renovating the 12 story building to be a modern office building. The second proposal by Little Diversified Architectural Consulting would convert the entire building into a residential tower and include ground floor retail.[20]

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The shorter building in the Two First Union complex was built in 1954 to serve as the headquarters of Union National Bank, later First Union National Bank. The original building was 9 stories; 3 stories were added in the 1960s.[21] The building was known for its 21,000-square-foot (1,951 m2) Charlotte Hornets mural which lasted four years.[22][8] Wachovia planned to move its 900 employees out of the shorter building by the end of 2003. It was believed to be too outdated to occupy[23] but the decision was made to renovate it instead. The renovation costs were about equal to the cost to rebuild it. Chris Scorsone the lead designer of the renovation with Little Diversified Architectural Consulting said this about it "We looked at this as just another evolution of the building. The important part of the building was the location, not its style. This is an important part of the Wachovia campus."[24] The last renovation had taken place in the 1970s.[25] The new project involved moving some employees temporarily to the BellSouth building and other locations, the bank returned to the building in Spring 2006.[26] In May 2006, it was repainted from beige to gray to complement the renovated color scheme at the neighboring Wachovia Main. On October 12, 2006, the bank's new flagship branch opened on the ground floor. It replaced branches in One and Three Wachovia Center and at 8,500 square feet (790 m2), was one of the bank's largest, using the style of branches in New York City and Dallas.[27][28]

The Charlotte Masonic Temple at 329 S Tryon St. was already on the corner of South Tryon and Third Street when Union National Bank built the shorter building. It was built in 1915 for $122,750. The building was designed by architect C. C. Hook to be Egyptian-Revival architecture. In 1937 a fire gutted the building and it seemed like a total loss. However, it 1938 it was restored and rededicated. In 1985, First Union bought the Masonic Temple. Then in 1987 it was demolished. The former property is now occupied by Wells Fargo Plaza. The two massive columns of the building façade are now on display on Dave Lyle Blvd. in Rock Hill, SC.[29]

In 1998 First Union began considering building a 72-story building on the plaza to house additional employees in Uptown. The plan was for the tower to occupy where the 12 story tower currently stands, the atrium, some of the parking deck, and space in the plaza on South Tryon. Even with the construction of the Three First Union Center the company still didn't think they would have enough space. The bank planned to construct a building as grand as Bank of America Corporate Center. Before cancelling the project the bank was considering New York architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox as one of the two finalists for designing the building. KPF famously designed Shanghai World Financial Center, which opened in 2008. The other finalist was Atlanta architecture firm Thompson Ventulett Stainback & Associates, which designed One Wells Fargo Center. The project was tentatively called Four First Union.[30] However, the plans for the new tower were putting on hold indefinitely in September 1999 due to the company's poor performance on the stock market.[31] In 2002 the final renderings of the building were leaked. The renderings showed 100 floors with 80 usable. If the building were built it would've been 40 floors taller than the city's current tallest building, Bank of America Corporate Center.[32][33]


The 12-story building in November 2022

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Two Wells Fargo Center". Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  2. ^ Sharipo, Amy (22 October 2022). "Wachovia a year later: Charlotte's largest office buildings". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Two Wells Fargo Center". Emporis. Archived from the original on April 16, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ "Johnston Memorial Presbyterian Church Timeline" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2009-12-03.
  5. ^ John, Brasier (18 August 2022). "Charlotte company buys downtown Winston-Salem tower that once housed Wachovia headquarters". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  6. ^ McBane, Wendy (September 14, 1985). "Broken Valve Kills Friday The 13th Chill". The Charlotte Observer. p. Metro 1.
  7. ^ M.S. Van Hecke, "First Union Moving into New Tower,"The Charlotte Observer, February 6, 1988.
  8. ^ a b Smith, Doug (August 7, 2003). "Wachovia To Vacate Building: 12-Story Building At Two First Union Started Race For Bigger Towers 50 Years Ago". The Charlotte Observer. p. 1D.
  9. ^ O'Daniel, Adam; Boye, Will (18 December 2009). "Wells-Wachovia to consolidate uptown Charlotte offices". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  10. ^ Spanberg, Erik (9 March 1998). "Humpy wheels out office deal". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  11. ^ "Ruddick renews at Two First Union". Charlotte Business Journal. 27 July 1998. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  12. ^ J. Lee, Howard (15 May 2006). "Law firm moving to Morehead". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  13. ^ Will, Boye (11 May 2010). "CIT Group signs at South Tryon Square". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  14. ^ O'Daniel, Adam; Boye, Will (18 December 2009). "Wells-Wachovia to consolidate uptown Charlotte offices". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  15. ^ Tannenbaum, Fred (18 January 2002). "Wachovia renames Charlotte's First Union buildings". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  16. ^ O'Daniel, Adam (15 December 2010). "Wells Fargo puts its name on uptown Charlotte bank towers". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  17. ^ Graham, Symone (31 January 2023). "Wells Fargo to fill former Duke Energy building and invest in University-area campus". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  18. ^ Franco, Elise (1 June 2023). "Wells Fargo looks to sell prime uptown property and tower as it prepares to condense office footprint". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  19. ^ Franco, Elise (17 August 2023). "Uptown Charlotte to see uptick in office conversions amid market challenges?". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  20. ^ Franco, Elise (10 January 2024). "Proposed remakes of One Wells Fargo, former Duke Energy HQ win Charlotte Center City Partners contest". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  21. ^ Pfeifer, Jay (17 January 2005). "Wachovia building wins reprieve with renovation". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  22. ^ Price, Mark (December 10, 2007). "Artist's `Never-Ending' Mural Is Finally Finished". The Charlotte Observer. p. 1A.
  23. ^ "Wachovia to vacate Two First Union". Charlotte Business Journal. 7 August 2003. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  24. ^ Pfeifer, Jay (17 January 2005). "Wachovia building wins reprieve with renovation". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  25. ^ Rick Rothacker, "A Better Face for Wachovia at Third, Tryon", The Charlotte Observer, October 21, 2004, p. 1D.
  26. ^ Rick Rothacker, "Wachovia Projects to Change Uptown's Look", The Charlotte Observer, February 25, 2006, p. 1D.
  27. ^ Binyamin Appelbaum, "Wachovia Site Seeks Walk-Ups", The Charlotte Observer, November 16, 2005, p. 1D.
  28. ^ Binyamin Appelbaum, "Bank Notes: An Occasional Roundup of News in the No. 2 Bank Town, The Charlotte Observer, October 13, 2006, p. 2D.
  29. ^ David, Maria (18 November 2015). "Egyptian Revival architecture on Tryon Street". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  30. ^ Spanberg, Erik (7 September 1198). "First Union to tower 72 stories". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  31. ^ Howard, J. Lee; Spanberg, Erik (6 September 1999). "First Union tower plans toppled". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  32. ^ "Bank of America Corporate Center". Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  33. ^ Zoghby, J.c. (13 May 2022). "Four First Union renderings revealed for first time". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
[edit]
Preceded by Tallest Building in Charlotte
1971—1974
132 m 		Succeeded by
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