Nestled on the banks of the Haw River in the rolling hills of the North Carolina piedmont, the former mill community of Saxapahaw is home to two former Dixie Yarn Mills.  The older of the two had been successfully rehabilitated as an affordable housing complex, but the remaining mid-century mill lacked the character of its companion and an earlier redevelopment effort had stalled.  Working with a diverse new ownership group comprised of the son of the mill owner, a construction company executive, a former NBA basketball star, a community activist, and a couple of local foodies, Clearscapes facilitated a highly interactive design process to realize their collective vision of a thriving and highly sustainable mixed use village that celebrates life on the river and honors the history of the mill.

The former mill is now home to twenty-nine residential lofts, a pub, a restaurant, and the 700+ capacity Haw River Ballroom that has been described by the music editor of Independent Weekly as “…arguably the most elegant and interesting non-municipal performance space in the state.  A wonder of concept, design and execution…It’s a brilliant work of art...and an anchor for the community...”

The story of the former mill operation is woven throughout the site.  The former coal pit has found new life as an intimate amphitheater.  Tanks that formerly stained the river with the color of that day’s dye now hold lighting, signage, and plants.  Salvaged rollers have become guardrails and even the old freight elevator cables survive today as rain chains.  Abandoned doors, windows, electrical equipment, wood planks, bricks, and sawcut sections of industrial concrete slabs have all been artfully repurposed and returned to the building and site.

Fifty-two geothermal wells provide a constant temperature source for heating and cooling and a solar thermal system provides hot water. An onsite wastewater treatment plant provides graywater for flushing toilets. Much of the stormwater generated by the complex is collected in cisterns for irrigation. Before the remainder is returned to the river, it is celebrated as it trickles and cascades through a series of exposed runnels, waterfalls, and rain gardens to a constructed wetlands located under the watchful eye of a local charter school with an environmental science curriculum.