$20 million plan announced to restore Salisbury's historic Empire Hotel

SALISBURY, N.C. — Developers announced plans Friday to redevelop the historic Empire Hotel in downtown Salisbury.

The hotel was built in 1885, but has become an eyesore among local businesses.

Andrew Walker, who owns a bed-and-breakfast nearby. He said he's glad that something is being done about the abandoned building.

“This is what the downtown has been waiting (for) forever, and from the meeting today, it looks like people are committed,” Walker said.

Developer Billy Hughes said the project will cost upward of $20 million. The hotel could be turned into market-rate apartments and retail space.

Hughes said the redevelopment could help the local economy.

“When you do a project like this, in a town like this, that for every dollar that I spend on the redevelopment effort, the town, the community, the county, the immediate community benefits by $8,” he said.

The details of the project will be discussed in the next year. Construction could start in about a year, and is expected to last for 14 months.

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