Augusta, Richmond County

The Lowrey Wagon Works, situated in the heart of Augusta’s downtown historic district, was constructed in 1860. The building was confiscated by the Confederacy and later served as a school for free black children for a period until J.H. Lowrey reestablished his wagon works. After nearly 30 years of neglect, the building was added to Historic Augusta, Inc.’s Endangered Properties list in 2008. Through a recent investment and rehabilitation project, 19 lofts have been created at the wagon works. The adaptive use of the space required careful planning to incorporate the massive historic beam structures while meeting the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. The Wagon Works now serves as a high-profile example of successful rehabilitation in Augusta.