Potential new Excelsior Club owner wants to save historic site by knocking it down
A local developer is working to revive The Excelsior Club — the historic, longtime center of nightlife for Charlotte’s Black community. But to do that, he said, he’ll need to tear down the club’s building first.
The Excelsior Club opened in 1944 on Beatties Ford Road in West Charlotte during segregation as the first private club for Black residents. It hosted famous musicians like Nat King Cole and Louis Armstrong over the years, and served as a gathering place for Black political and community leaders.
But over the years, fewer people went to the club when more spaces and entertainment venues became available. The Excelsior Club closed in 2016, and since then, it has seen a number of efforts to revive it surface then fail.
Charlotte entrepreneur Shawn Kennedy told The Charlotte Observer Thursday that he has the building under contract, and is working towards ownership. That should take about seven months he said, involving due diligence and other work. He declined to provide the cost of the contract.
“It’s really early in the game and it’s a heavy lift,” he said.
Kennedy said he wants to reopen the doors but it won’t look the same. The building will have to be torn down after falling into disrepair, he said.
“The building is pretty much not salvageable,” Kennedy said. “So with deep regret, the building will have to come down. But we will resurrect the building that will honor The Excelsior Club.”
WBTV had reported on the plans for the club on Wednesday.
Excelsior Club previously faced demolition
This is not the first time the building was staring at demolition.
In February 2017, state Rep. Carla Cunningham acquired the property and mortgage from husband Pete Cunningham after his death in 2010.
A demolition permit for the club was issued in 2018. The building needed extensive renovations, including new floors, interior walls, HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems, and repairs for water damage to the roof. Plans to save the landmark failed in October 2018, after Mecklenburg County commissioners declined on approving a deal.
But in 2019, Darius Anderson’s California-based Kenwood Investments purchased the former club for $1.35 million, with the help of $250,000 in funds from the city, county, Foundation for the Carolinas and the Knight Foundation, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
In 2023, Kenwood Investments met with community members for input and an update about the site. Kenwood CEO Darius Anderson said he still needed 20 parking spaces to move the project forward. His plan includes a boutique hotel and music venue
Redevelopment plans were delayed by the pandemic, and last October, city Councilman Malcolm Graham told the Observer the latest plans to save the site had not worked out. Kenwood is still the owner, according to county records.
Seeking community support for the Excelsior Club
Kennedy said it’s important to tell the social history of the building as a gathering place. The plans include a restaurant, meeting rooms and a museum that will honor the past.
“It doesn’t really make sense as a business investment on my end,” said Kennedy, owner of Kennedy Properties and Development in Charlotte. “I’m doing it because of the impact and what it can do for our community.”
But Kennedy said he’s going to need help from the city of Charlotte and business leaders.
“Everybody wants to see this thing happen,” Kennedy said. “But it’s going to take support of the community for this project to happen.”
Kennedy is going around the city and meeting with people to drum up support for the project. “So far, the support has been amazing,” he said.
This story was originally published May 9, 2025 at 6:06 AM.
