The historic Ivey-Ellington House is even older than the Town of Cary itself. An agreement by the Town to develop the property where the circa-1870 home was located on West Chatham Street meant the house needed to be moved to be preserved as the second-oldest remaining structure in Cary.
The Town decided to move the historic home to the site of the former Cary library on South Academy Street, which is across from where the new Downtown Cary Park is being constructed. This new location is more prominent than where the home was for the last 150-plus years, set back from Chatham Street and perhaps a little out of place as other buildings overshadowed it.
WithersRavenel worked on the site plan, stormwater design, Town approvals, and landscape architecture features at the new location for the Ivey-Ellington House. The new location will include modern stormwater technology hidden underneath the site, while a footbridge over a rain garden embraces the unique stormwater design.
Other improvements planned for the house’s new location include ADA accessibility features along with a robust landscape. Plans include hardscape gardens, walkways, and plazas so people can walk around the home and site, viewing it from all sides and making a visit an immersive experience. The landscape design was a collaborative process, involving WithersRavenel and Town staff along with a local horticulturist who offered input on historic plants and design considerations.
