Historic 512 Queen Street retains much of its nearly century-old structure while gaining the strength, efficiency and livability of a modern home
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A 1923 home in downtown Wilmington that once appeared destined for demolition has been given a new chapter thanks to an extensive restoration by local restoration team Wild Old Women & One Guy (WOW and One Guy).
Located at 512 Queen Street, the nearly century-old home had deteriorated significantly over the years. Where others might have seen a teardown, the WOW and One Guy team saw something worth saving.
Today, the completed 2,283-square-foot residence stands as an example of what can happen when historic preservation goes far beyond cosmetic renovation. The restored home offers three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, a dedicated office, off-street parking and thoughtfully updated living spaces–all while retaining much of the original structure that has supported the home since 1923.
Saving the Bones of a 1923 Home
One of the most remarkable aspects of the restoration is what remains behind the finished walls.
During the project, the team discovered that many of the home’s original structural beams could still be salvaged. The edges of the old-growth timbers bear visible evidence of historic building techniques, including charring or searing intended to help deter termites, insects and other pests.
After more than a century, much of the wood had become exceptionally dense and hardened, yet remained strong enough to preserve and incorporate into the restored home.
Rather than demolishing the structure and starting over, WOW and One Guy undertook the much more involved process of preserving and reinforcing it. The house was lifted from its existing foundation so the structure beneath it could be strengthened and rebuilt, creating a more secure foundation for the home’s next century.
It is an approach that reflects the team’s broader philosophy: restore what is worth saving, correct the problems that come with an aging structure and build for the home’s future rather than simply improving what can be seen on the surface.
The WOW Approach to Historic Restoration
Led by longtime builder and restoration expert Sue Boone, Wild Old Women & One Guy has developed a reputation in Wilmington for taking on aging and neglected homes that others may consider beyond saving.
Boone’s career in construction and restoration spans decades and includes experience renovating historic buildings as well as residential construction. Since bringing that experience to Wilmington, her focus has increasingly turned toward rescuing older homes and returning them to productive life within the city’s historic neighborhoods.
The team’s restorations are known for addressing structural issues first–from foundations and framing to modern building systems–while preserving meaningful original architectural elements whenever possible.
At 512 Queen Street, that philosophy can be seen throughout the finished property. The restoration respects the home’s 1923 origins while introducing the comfort and functionality expected by today’s homeowners.
Historic Character, Reimagined for Modern Living
Inside, 512 Queen Street pairs its historic roots with a completely refreshed interior designed for contemporary living.
The home features 9-foot ceilings, 2.5-inch red oak hardwood floors, original-style glass doorknobs, a leaded-glass entry door, a mantel made of salvaged wood from the original home, and other details selected to complement its early-20th-century character.
The kitchen brings a distinctly modern level of finish with Taj Mahal quartzite countertops and full-length backsplash, 42-inch upper cabinetry, double ovens, a large center island and an ornate glass mosaic tile feature above the range.
The first-floor primary suite includes a spacious walk-in closet and an en suite bathroom with double vanities and a fully tiled walk-in shower with Carrara marble detailing. A dedicated office, additional bedrooms upstairs and thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor living areas allow the restored home to function for today’s lifestyle without losing sight of the architecture that came before it.
The project also included fully insulated exterior and interior walls, helping improve energy efficiency and sound reduction while bringing modern performance to the historic structure.
More Than a Renovation
For WOW and One Guy, projects like 512 Queen Street represent something larger than renovating an individual property. Each restored home preserves a piece of Wilmington’s architectural landscape that otherwise could have disappeared.
The difference is especially striking at 512 Queen Street: a house once facing an uncertain future now stands renewed on the same Queen Street where it was built more than 100 years ago.
Its original beams still carry the marks of the craftsmen who built it in 1923. Its reinforced structure is prepared for generations to come. And rather than being replaced by something entirely new, the home once again contributes to the character of the neighborhood that has surrounded it for a century.
512 Queen Street is now completed, move-in ready, and offered for sale by Jeff Lesley with CENTURY 21® Vanguard.
For Wild Old Women & One Guy, it is another example of the possibilities that exist when an old house is viewed not simply for what it has become, but for what it can become again.
About Wild Old Women & One Guy
Wild Old Women & One Guy LLC is a Wilmington, North Carolina-based restoration team focused on giving aging and neglected homes new life. Led by Sue Boone and backed by decades of construction and restoration experience, the team combines structural improvements, thoughtful design, and respect for original architecture to create homes built to serve future generations.
About 512 Queen Street
Built in 1923, 512 Queen Street, Wilmington, NC 28401, is a fully restored 2,283-square-foot residence offering three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, a dedicated office and off-street parking. The property combines preserved historic character and original structural elements with extensive modern upgrades and is located along a brick-lined street in downtown Wilmington.
The property is listed by Jeff Lesley with CENTURY 21® Vanguard. For additional property information, private showing requests or media inquiries, contact Jeff Lesley at 910.297.7071 or JLesley(at)WilmingtonC21(dotted)com.
Media & Listing Contact
Jeff Lesley
CENTURY 21® Vanguard
Phone: 910.297.7071
Email: JLesley(at)WilmingtonC21(dotted)com