Blandwood Mansions and Gardens, downtown Greensboro
Learn More About Blandwood Mansions and Gardens, downtown Greensboro
The Blandwood mansion is a significant piece of romantic and natural history in Greensboro, North Carolina. It represents one of the nation’s most popular architectural genres during the 19th century. Featuring period furnishings and valuable art, the Blandwood Mansions, and Gardens,are open to the public five days a week. Advanced reservations may also be made for large groups.
The mansion and gardens feature a variety of native as well as exotic trees. In 1844, the Blandwood Mansions and Gardens, in downtown Greensboro were illustrated in a landscape guide by A. J. Downing, A treatise on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening Adapted to North America. They are a significant part of the local and national heritage. At present, the remaining elements of the design include the Victorian-era gardens, decorative urns, and the drive.
History
Blandwood mansion was originally constructed as a farmhouse in the 1790s. It became the home of the North Carolinian governor John Motley Morehead. The estate is the oldest building set on the original foundations within Greensboro and has since survived the urban development processes over the previous two centuries.
The mansion was built by A. J. Davis, who modeled it after the Tuscany villas, featuring low rooflines, stucco on brick veneer, and overhanging eaves. Even if the architect had never visited Italy, he did a good job of ensuring the mansion featured the most prominent Italian traits. The construction also gained historical significance as being the earliest Tuscan Villa constructed in America. Davis reused the free-standing kitchen by expanding its size and matching it with a building on the other side of the house.
Due to its grand nature, the mansion is an example of great antebellum architecture featuring small farms and large houses for slave owners.
It has since been purchased and reserved by the Preservation Greensboro Incorporated nonprofit. The purchase was part of a restoration program for Greensboro featuring paint analysis and archeological investigation, as well as initiating the surrounding gardens.
Downtown Greensboro neighborhood,Greensboro, NC
According to the most recent Census Bureau figures, 45% of homes in Downtown Greensboro are owned, compared to 55% rented out. 40% of the apartments in Downtown Greensboro are single-family rentals, 53% are housed in smaller apartment complexes with fewer than 50 units, and 6% are in large buildings with 50 or more units. The median price of a home is $266,450.
The cheapest rates range from $501 to $700 in 12% of Downtown Greensboro units. In the most expensive price band of $1,501–$2,000, almost 22% of rents fall. Apartments in Downtown Greensboro with rents between $701 and $1,000 make up about 25% of the total. Apartments with rents between $1,000 and $1,500 make up 24% of the total. So, apartments in the district have a median rent of $1,383 per month, lower than the national average price of $1,727.
Downtown Greensboro is a middle-income area; most residents work in white-collar professions and private companies.
