The Hambley-Wallace House was
built in 1901–1903 by E. B. C. Hambley, a British-born mining engineer. Leo
Wallace Sr. purchased the house in 1927 and the Wallace family has occupied
the residence since that time. The home is in very good condition and has had
few alterations. It survives today in a truly remarkable, high state
of preservation, which reflects the very intelligent, unstinting stewardship
of the Leo Wallace Jr. family. It is a pivotal historic structure and
is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This mansion is among the most
ambitious of its era in the Piedmont area of North Carolina and a prime
example of the Chateauesque style as modeled by the famed Biltmore House.
The house was designed by Charlotte architect Charles Cook and erected
by the Lazenby Brothers Construction Company. The design of the grounds was completed by Thomas Meehan
& Sons, Inc. of Philadelphia.
The exterior of the house is
gray granite and pumpkin-colored brick. Built of the finest material
available in the opening years of the 20th century, it is constructed
of native Rowan county granite, brick, slate, tiles, stained glass,
and native and imported woods. The property is located in a suburban
estate-like setting on grounds enclosed by a low granite wall.
The house stands stately, but unpretentiously, in the West Square Historic
District, a neighborhood of stylish, substantial brick, frame, and stone
houses from the 1810s to the 1930s.
The three levels of the 9,500-square-foot house have 20 rooms with floors finished in hardwoods, marble,and tile. There are eight bedrooms and five-and-one-half baths. There
are ten fireplaces with various designed mantels. Exquisite stained and
leaded glass can be found throughout many rooms of the mansion. Hand-cut
and laid mosaic tile flooring with a Greek-key and ribbon design greet
guest as they enter the home. The front and part of one side of the house
has wide covered porches.
The main floor includes a private
vestibule, a grand entry/hallway, drawing room/parlor, library, formal
dining room, powder room, breakfast room, kitchen, laundry, and an enclosed
back porch. Various wood paneling, massive pocket doors, fireplaces,
stained and leaded glass windows and built-ins can be found in most of
these rooms. Beautiful wainscot, panel and beam ceilings, as well as Rococo
Revival–style plaster ceilings adorn select rooms.
The three-tiered staircase
is illuminated by large stained glass windows. This staircase rises with
the series of landings to the second story sitting hall where there is
access to seven bedrooms and four baths. Each of the rooms are spacious
in size, most have fireplaces, wood or carpeted flooring and access
to a bath. Several of the bedrooms have their own dressing room with
built-in wardrobes, mirrored doors, and cabinets. Gorgeous stained and/or
leaded glass is found in most of these rooms. In addition to the front
staircase, there are two other rear stairways for convenient family access
to these upper rooms.
The third floor is accessed
by way of stairs located near the second floor sitting area. There is
a very spacious room at the top of the stairs that is ideal for a family
game room. It has the benefit of the large original skylight that offers
a generous amount of natural light. There's four large storage closets
on this third level and located in the tower, is the eighth bedroom with
a fireplace and stained glass windows and a connecting bath with the
original claw-foot tub.
There are two contributing structures
on the property that include the original 2,100 square foot carriage
house and a child's play house.
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Contact
Martha Hawkins, ABR,
CRS, GRI, SRES
Wallace Realty Company
301 N. Main Street, Salisbury,
NC 28144
704-637-7551
mhawkins@salisbury.net
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