Project Background

According to the 2008 National Register nomination report, the Ivey-Ellington House is significant because it is a rare example of Gothic Revival cottage architecture in Wake County. Few examples of the Gothic Revival style appear in the county, most of them religious structures. Located near the former Raleigh and Chatham Railroad and constructed in the 1870s, the Ivey-Ellington House demonstrates the diffusion of styles and ideas from urban to rural areas. It exemplifies national trends in housing reform and the popularity of architectural pattern books in the late nineteenth century.”

In 2019, the Town entered into a development agreement that required the relocation of the Ivey-Ellington House. Coinciding with this agreement, Cary Town Council adopted a resolution to ensure every effort was made to preserve the Ivey-Ellington House.

This project stabilized and prepared the house for relocation, identified a relocation site, and relocated the house. 

Project Cost and Overview

Funds have been appropriated for the preservation of Town-owned historic properties, which includes the stabilization, relocation, and rehabilitation of the Ivey-Ellington House.

• Spring 2022: Identify and Secure Relocation Site  - COMPLETED
• Winter 2022/2023: Prepare Relocation Site - COMPLETED 
• 2023: Relocate House - COMPLETED 
• Spring 2023: Begin Scoping Rehabilitation Work - COMPLETED 
• Winter 2024: Begin Rehabilitation Work - IN PROGRESS 
• Spring 2025: Estimated Completed Construction 

Updates

• Rehabilitation work has begun with an estimated completion of Spring 2025. 
• On February 20, 2023, the house was relocated to its new site.
• In January 2023, preparations for the relocation began at the house and the former library site. 
• In December 2022, after conducting a spatial analysis, it was determined that once the house is rehabilitated it will initially serve as office space for Downtown Park Staff.  Future use possibilities include a welcome and/or history center. 
• In August 2022, a contact from the State Historic Preservation Office assessed the house to confirm non-historic additions that were removed prior to the relocation. 
• In April 2022, staff worked with ThoughtCraft Architects on a scope for the relocation. 
• Given several factors, including the desired setting, historic context, and existing infrastructure, the southern portion of the former library site on Academy Street was the preferred location.  Although Cary will forego National Register designation, the Ivey-Ellington House can be designated as a Local Historic Landmark to show that the house is still valued and can retain the honor of being an historic landmark.  
• Staff discussed the relocation with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and throughout these discussions, it became clear that there were few viable options for relocation. Staff brought this information to community stakeholders and hired a preservation consultant to further assess the potential sites and the effect the move could have on the Downtown National Register Historic District (NRHD). The consultant found the Downtown NRHD to be intact and, given the prominence of an Academy Street location, recommended pursuing that location without National Register of Historic Places designation. This decision is to protect the existing Downtown NRHD from any potential scrutiny that may come from moving the house within the district boundaries.

Contact

Rachel Smith, AICP
Principal Planner
(919) 469-4066
Rachel.Smith@carync.gov

Jeff Ries
Project Manager
(919) 462-3899
Jeff.Ries@carync.gov