Wells Fargo wants to add its name to Charlotte skyline and alter iconic uptown building

Catherine Muccigrosso, Mary Ramsey, Chase Jordan
·4 min read

Another uptown Charlotte tower could soon see a sign emblazoned atop the skyscraper.

Wells Fargo is asking the city for a zoning change so it can hoist signage on top of the tower at 550 S. Tryon St., the former Duke Energy building, a rezoning petition filed with the city of Charlotte shows.

The skyscraper — with its iconic handlebar roof and LED light show — is among the tallest and most recognizable towers in Charlotte. The bank-owned building sits adjacent to the Levine Center for the Arts and its “The Firebird” statue.

Wells Fargo’s plan calls for one sign on each side of the existing office high-rise, according to the petition filed Sept. 22. Illustrations show each sign would be 1,880 square feet across the handlebar. The petition does not include wording for the signs.

The signage and enhanced lighting on the building are part of a commitment and effort to make significant investments in Charlotte, Wells Fargo spokesman Josh Dunn told the Charlotte Observer on Wednesday.

“The architecture and design ... provides a consistent branding placement opportunity with clear views of the building and Wells Fargo signage,” he said. “We are proud to elevate the Wells Fargo brand and build awareness for our company through building signage, joining numerous other major companies with a presence in Uptown Charlotte.”

Earlier during the year, he said the company earmarked $500 million over the next five years to upgrade work spaces and properties to create a better employee experience across the Charlotte region.

Wells Fargo illustration
Wells Fargo illustration

Requests such as the Wells Fargo sign are reviewed by the city’s Planning Department, followed by a public hearing and a recommendation from the Planning Commission’s Zoning Committee.

The Charlotte City Council ultimately hears and decides the fate of all requests for rezoning within the city.

Staff members’ review of the petition “will likely begin at the end of October,” city spokesman Lawrence Corley told the Charlotte Observer.

“The petition would be on track for a public hearing in January assuming it stays on its current timeline,” he said.

Changes could be made to the petition before hearings begin, Corley noted.

Changing Charlotte skyline

Wells Fargo’s plan was first reported by The Charlotte Observer news partner WSOC-TV.

In recent years, Charlotte’s skyline has been changing with more names going on buildings, including Ally, Barings and Regions.

But some of the changes have been met with backlash.

Charlotte-based Truist Financial Corp. said Thursday that it’s agreed to sell a chunk of its insurance business, for a hefty price tag. DAVID T. FOSTER III
Charlotte-based Truist Financial Corp. said Thursday that it’s agreed to sell a chunk of its insurance business, for a hefty price tag. DAVID T. FOSTER III

Three years ago when Truist put its name and logo on top of its uptown headquarters at the former Hearst Tower, the building’s architect called it vandalism and a petition pleaded take it down.

On alternating sides of the tower, over 47 stories high are two 558-square-foot logos, opposite two 980-square-foot nameplates.

About Wells Fargo tower

Wells Fargo submitted this image in its rezoning request to place atop the tower at 550 S. Tyron St., a building formerly occupied by Duke Energy, and now filled with the bank’s employees. Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo submitted this image in its rezoning request to place atop the tower at 550 S. Tyron St., a building formerly occupied by Duke Energy, and now filled with the bank’s employees. Wells Fargo

The 48-story, nearly 1.3 million-square-foot tower was developed by Childress Klein, based in Charlotte. The building architect was TVS Design and contractor Batson-Cook Construction, both based in Atlanta.

The building, completed in 2010, includes a 350-seat auditorium, 40,000-square-foot of retail and eight levels of underground parking with 2,100 spaces, according to TVS Design.

Dunn said the upgraded LED lighting on the sides and top of the building will elevate the Wells Fargo Lights program and “provides a unique opportunity to celebrate, support, and promote events, causes, programs and nonprofit organizations that directly connect with the community in Charlotte.”

Wells Fargo moves

In January, Wells Fargo began consolidating its East Coast hub offices in Charlotte.

The bank moved employees out of One and Two Wells Fargo Center buildings into Three Wells Fargo Center and South Tryon Street. The South Tryon Street tower is Wells Fargo’s Charlotte headquarters.

Wells Fargo’s has submitted a rezoning petition for two skyline signs on each side of the 550 S. Tryon St. tower in Charlotte.
Wells Fargo’s has submitted a rezoning petition for two skyline signs on each side of the 550 S. Tryon St. tower in Charlotte.

Wells Fargo recently renovated 21 floors at 550 S. Tryon and 14 floors at Three Wells Fargo Center at 401 S. Tryon St.

The San Francisco-based bank has its largest employment hub in Charlotte, with about 27,000 workers.

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