The E. W. Montgomery Cotton Warehouse, located at 806 Green Avenue in Greenville, South Carolina, is a significant historical landmark reflecting the city’s prominence in the textile industry.​

Historical Background:

• Construction and Ownership: Originally built in 1928 by the Harbo Furniture Manufacturing Company, the warehouse was acquired in 1933 by Edmund Warren Montgomery, a prominent cotton merchant. He expanded the facility, adding three sections to accommodate his growing business. ​
• Architectural Features: The two-story brick building extends 553 feet in length and 60 feet in width, encompassing approximately 68,000 square feet across seven bays. Notably, clerestory windows and skylights were incorporated to enhance natural lighting, facilitating the inspection and sorting of cotton based on color, staple length, and texture. ​

Role in the Cotton Industry:

Under Montgomery’s leadership, the warehouse became a central hub for cotton storage and trading, distributing to textile mills across North America, Canada, and Europe. Montgomery operated from this location until his passing in 1962.

Later Developments:

• Adaptive Reuse: In the 1980s, the warehouse was converted into multi-family housing, offering 74 apartments for about two decades before being vacated.
• Historic Recognition: The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012, acknowledging its architectural and historical significance. ​
• Recent Renovations: By 2018, redevelopment efforts commenced to transform the structure into Elements West Apartments, featuring 60 loft-style units. These renovations aimed to preserve the building’s historic exterior while modernizing the interior for contemporary living. ​

The E. W. Montgomery Cotton Warehouse stands as a testament to Greenville’s rich textile heritage and exemplifies successful adaptive reuse of historic industrial architecture.