The Frye Center is comprised of two fully rehabilitated historic hotels originally designed by Lynchburg architect Edward G. Frye in 1906-1907. Both buildings have restored facades. Original stairways now connect four retail/commercial spaces and eight residential units with all new plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems. All work was completed according to National Park Service guidelines for state and federal tax credits.
Once access to the credits was approved, the rehabilitation efforts began. Interior demolition immediately revealed compromised structural conditions which had to be addressed. Soon after the careful restoration of the façade, historic wood windows, wood flooring, and interior plaster work began. New partitions were constructed to create the new apartments, each with galley kitchens, two bathrooms and outside deck access. Rehabilitation work was completed on the 100th anniversary of the original construction. The Frye Center is now another significant contribution to downtown Lynchburg’s renaissance as a dynamic place to work and live.