The Cohen-Fumero House

Original Construction: 1961

Preservation Project Completed: 2019-2020
Preservation (Residential) - Restoration of an historic residential structure

The Cohen-Fumero House

View of the Front Entry of the Home

Front Entry before the Restoration

View of the Front Entry During the Restoration

Kitchen & Dining Space after the Renovation

Kitchen & Dining Space Before the Renovation

View During the Construction of the New Kitchen & Dining Space

Photo of a Dinner Party Held by Herb Cohen & Jose Fumero at the Home in the 1960's

Main Living Space After the Restoration

View of the Original Kitchen

Choosing the Stain for the Restored Floors

View of the Back Deck After the Restoration

View of the Back Deck and Damaged Roof Prior to the Restoration

View of the New Roof

Replacing the Roof During the Renovation

View of the Bathroom After the Renovation

Bathroom Prior to the Renovation

Owner Charlie Miller

About the Project

Built in 1961, this historic landmark is one of just a few high-style midcentury modern buildings left in the region. Noted architect Murray Whisnant designed the house for artists Herb Cohen and Jose Fumero, who wanted a home built for artistic expression and entertaining. It became a center of artistic social life in 1960s Charlotte. The home sat vacant for many years and was in serious disrepair when local realtor Charlie Miller purchased it and began restoration efforts in 2019. He restored or renovated the entire house, including removing 1990s-era changes that were not authentic to the home’s original design. Miller meticulously refurbished many of the home’s historic interior elements, including its tiger-stripe mahogany paneling, floor-to-ceiling mahogany doors with original hardware and expansive glass windows and sliding doors.