Historic District Chapel Hill Homes
History meets modern living
Chapel Hill’s historic district is located just off of popular Franklin Street – a few blocks’ walk, to be specific. Instantly, you’ll be swept up in the architectural styles of the 19th and 20th centuries. Here, you’ll find the local historic districts and the national historic districts. If you live in the local historic district, any additions or renovations will have to be approved by the Chapel Hill Historic District Commission. This includes choice of paint color, deck construction, any type of fences or walkways, and landscaping. The whole purpose of the requirement is to make sure that the overall aesthetics maintain a feeling of unity and beauty – and it pays off because the area is gorgeous.
What to love
- Located in the center of the action
- 19th and 20th century architecture
- Lush landscaping
There’s three local historic districts: Franklin-Rosemary, Gimghoul, and Cameron-McCauley, each of which is nestled against the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus. And though each home appears as though it’s come out of olden times, each still has modern conveniences like air conditioning and high-speed internet (thank goodness!). And the icing on the cake: each of these beautiful districts is assigned to the highly desirable Chapel Hill-Carrboro school district.
Franklin-Rosemary
Franklin-Rosemary is the oldest out of all the historic districts. The architecture here is from the Federal and Greek Revival, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, plus you’ve also got traditional bungalows. This means you’ll typically find wide and deep porches, a mature tree canopy, and charming fieldstone walls. One of the biggest perks to owning a home in Franklin-Rosemary is that you’re within walking distance to Franklin Street, with all its restaurants, bars, and shopping. Of the three districts, Franklin-Rosemary tends to have the highest prices.
Cameron-McCauley
Located west of the UNC Campus, Cameron-McCauley was built in the 1940s and, at the time, was a main housing grounds for UNC employees. As far as exterior styles, you’ll find Craftsman, Colonia Revival, and Tudor Revival, usually set back from the street, which is great if you have a family with smaller children. Homes typically have smaller lot sizes, accented with beautiful landscaping and stone walls. While some homes have been turned into condos, most generally have 2-3 bedrooms and over 1600 square feet of living space.
Gimghoul
Built along a ridge and featuring winding roads and lush greenery, Gimghoul is comprised of 37 homes, each of which was constructed in the 1920s and 30s, with the original purpose of housing professors at UNC. Homes follow the Colonial Revival style and while most have been renovated on the interior, outward facades continue to remain the same. Still, these homes showcase top-quality millwork, shining hardwood floors, and awe-inspiring gardens. To top it off, you’ll find a French chateau at the very top of Gimghoul Road.