Twickenham Historic Merts Center Transforms: In Huntsville’s Twickenham neighborhood, the historic Annie Merts Center is undergoing a transformation into 11 condominiums. Purchased by Crunkleton & Associates, LLC from Huntsville City Schools, the development is progressing after overcoming challenges related to weather and the complexities of working in a historical neighborhood.
The condos will be located in the building that once housed Huntsville High School, starting in 1929, later serving as a junior high, and eventually becoming the school system’s central office in the 1980s. Crunkleton & Associates anticipates city approval for the condo plan, aiming to complete construction by the end of 2024.
The development faced delays due to adverse weather conditions and the intricacies of working in a historical area. The project involves preserving the front elevation of the building by avoiding buildable lots in front of the staircase, as specified by the Huntsville Historic Preservation Commission.
Merts Preservation LLC, formed by Crunkleton & Associates, handled demolitions, including the east and west wings, gymnasium, auditorium, data building, walkways, canopies, fencing, and decommissioned mechanical equipment. The remaining portion of the Merts Center was sold to Merts Condo LLC.
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Wesley Crunkleton, a principal at Crunkleton & Associates, expects the project’s completion by the end of next year, acknowledging the challenges posed by construction difficulties and the need to find specialized subcontractors and tradespeople.
The Merts property was sold by Huntsville City Schools due to the need for $14 million in repairs, based on a 2018 evaluation. The district now houses administrative staff in various offices across the city, awaiting the completion of a building donated by the City of Huntsville at the corner of Memorial Parkway and Max Luther Drive.
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