One of two buildings at risk of demolition by neglect in 2025 is the Phillips Law Office at 401 E. Franklin Street in the Franklin-Rosemary Historic District. Built by Samuel Field Phillips in circa 1846, this building is often regarded as UNC’s first law school. Phillps had a distinguished legal career to include prosecuting the Ku Klux Klan, serving at the second US Solicitor General and co-counsel representing Homer Plessy on the famous Plessy vs Ferguson U.S. Supreme Court
case.

 

Upon the urging of Preservation Chapel Hill the owner repaired the roof, soffits and gutters in 2021. Unfortunately, the work has stopped and there has been no more progress to maintain the structure whose exterior continues to decline.

 

As Preservation Chapel Hill holds preservation covenants on this lovely town icon, we have frequently reached out to the owner offering our assistance in finding a contractor and monitoring the property. The owner appears to be uninterested in doing anything further for the preservation of this historic structure. Encouragement and offers of assistance by PCH and others appear to have been fruitless.

 

PCH is exploring whether private or public alternatives exist to save this important part of Town and UNC history.