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Get an inside look at a few of Charlotte’s best midcentury modern homes

A serene, wide shot at dusk of a modern, warmly-lit cabin with large windows, nestled in a dense forest. In the foreground, a small, circular pool glows with bright blue light, next to a wooden boardwalk that leads to the cabin’s patio, where wooden lounge chairs are arranged.
The home at 12309 Mallard Ridge Drive was constructed mostly by the owners, who served as their own general contractors Joe Purvis

Midcentury modern lovers in Charlotte have one last chance to tour some of the city’s homes best showcasing the style and architecture.

The Charlotte Museum of History’s annual Mad About Modern home tour returns Nov. 8 for the last time.

“While this is the museum’s final year hosting Mad About Modern, we look forward to bringing the city other tours of historical architecture in the future,” Charlotte Museum of History President and CEO Terri White said in a news release.

This year’s tour features three homes, two of which are modern homes inspired by midcentury modern design. It will also feature the return of classic cars at each home.

The tour includes a special kickoff event Nov. 7 featuring “Mr. Modernist” George Smart, an authority on the preservation of historic modernist design and founder of USModernist, a non-profit that hosts the largest open digital archive of midcentury modernist houses in the world.

About the Mad About Modern Tour

Kickoff event: with George Smart is Friday, Nov. 7, at Charlotte Museum of History

Tour date: Saturday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

How to go: Tickets are on sale now at madaboutmodern.com.

Cost: $30 for museum members or $35 for non-members

Here’s a preview of the homes on tour:

Homes on the Mad About Modern Tour

5841 Coatbridge Lane

Built in 1972

From the Charlotte Museum of History: “This midcentury residence is a testament to timeless design and careful stewardship. The home sits in McClintock Woods, a neighborhood known for its lush tree canopy. More than 50 years after its construction, this 1,959-square-foot ranch remains in near perfect condition, giving a rare glimpse into midcentury modern living.

“The house wraps around a serene courtyard featuring a striking Japanese maple, likely planted by the home’s original owner. Large picture windows and skylights offer natural light and views of the wooded lot. The current owners have honored the home’s original layout and aesthetic while making renovations that enhance functionality and light. Thoughtful landscaping, including drought-tolerant plantings and reforested trees, supports Charlotte’s tree canopy and the owners’ belief in living gently on the land.“

1921 Mecklenburg Ave.

Built in 2024

From the Charlotte Museum of History: “Designed to provide privacy in a semi-urban neighborhood while maximizing daylight and energy efficiency, this home balances openness with seclusion through walled exterior spaces combined with large glass expanses. A continuous flat roof with wide overhangs provides shade and reduces solar gain.

A wide shot of a modern, open-concept living room with mid-century modern aesthetics. The room features high ceilings with a large fan, polished concrete floors, and a two-story wall of black-framed windows that look out onto a lush, green yard. The space is furnished with two sofas, one gray and one patterned, and an oval-shaped wooden coffee table. In the background, a dining area is visible on a raised level.
Inside the home at 1921 Mecklenburg Ave., which was built to accentuate natural light. Dustin Peck
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“Interior spaces flow seamlessly into the outdoors, including a landscaped oasis in the rear, blurring the boundaries and enhancing a sense of spaciousness. The resulting home offers twice the space in half the square footage, with ample glass, abundant sunlight, privacy and outstanding energy efficiency.”

A wide shot of a bright, modern kitchen with mid-century modern influences. The room features a warm wooden ceiling and polished concrete floors. A large, dark-topped kitchen island with open shelving sits in the center, complemented by two orange bar stools. Behind the island, a wall of minimalist white, flat-panel cabinets contains a built-in oven and is lit by two white pendant lights. To the right, an entryway is decorated with a large, colorful abstract painting of elephants. Large windows and glass doors let in abundant natural light.
The kitchen at 1921 Mecklenburg Ave. Dustin Peck

12309 Mallard Ridge Drive

Built in 2001

From the Charlotte Museum of History: “Completed in 2001 after two years of hands-on construction, this remarkable home reflects its architect-owner’s deep curiosity about the relationship between design and craftsmanship. Serving as their own general contractors, the couple built most of the house themselves. The home’s design celebrates exposed framing — what the architect calls a “filigree of small wood sticks” — and expresses the structure’s beauty through its materials and visible construction. Built on a 2x6, 24-inch grid, every element, from the trusses to the cabinetry, follows this rhythm, creating visual harmony throughout.

A wide, symmetrical shot of the interior of a modern, wood-framed cabin. The entire back wall is a floor-to-ceiling grid of windows that looks out onto a wooden deck, a small blue circular pool, and a dense forest. The room has a high, vaulted ceiling with exposed wooden trusses. The interior is flanked by a large, built-in bookshelf with a rolling ladder on the right and another wooden shelving unit on the left. A black wood-burning stove sits in the center of the room.
Exposed framing is seen throughout the home at 12309 Mallard Ridge Drive. Joe Purvis

“Nestled on a half-acre lot and carefully sited to preserve mature trees, the house connects seamlessly to nature, providing natural shade and seasonal light. Thoughtful additions, including a workshop and a new studio space, extend the home’s philosophy of elegant simplicity and quiet retreat — a true “ship in the woods” where design and life intertwine.“

A wide, eye-level shot of a modern, wood-paneled cabin interior. The back wall features a floor-to-ceiling wooden bookshelf filled with books, complete with a rolling ladder. To the right is a kitchen area with matching wooden cabinets. In the foreground, a black leather sofa and a wood-framed armchair with black cushions make up a living space. On the far left, a black wood-burning stove is visible next to large, wood-framed glass windows and a door.
The wood-filled home at 12309 Mallard Ridge Drive connects with nature inside and out. Joe Purvis

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This story was originally published November 5, 2025 at 5:00 AM.

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Heidi Finley
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Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits. Support my work with a digital subscription
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