Design Notes
Whoever said you can’t mix business with pleasure clearly never partnered with Greenbrook Design. When the owners of the historic Campbell Building—also home to Greenbrook Design—envisioned transforming part of the space into a modern event venue, Uptown Indigo, along with a stylish loft apartment, our team embraced the challenge. We quickly developed a thoughtful plan to seamlessly integrate residential comfort with commercial functionality, demonstrating how great design can serve both work and lifestyle needs in one beautifully cohesive space.
The Challenges
Renovating the historic Campbell Building was far from a typical remodel. With nearly a century of stories behind its walls, this landmark in Uptown Shelby had served many purposes over the years—from a bustling department store offering everything imaginable to a home furnishings retailer. After a period of dormancy lasting twelve years, the building was ready to embark on a new chapter.
In 2014, the Shelby family became the second owners of the Campbell Building. With a vision of creating a versatile event venue capable of hosting everything from weddings to corporate gatherings, they began the journey to bring Uptown Indigo to life. That dream took nearly three years to realize—but the results are nothing short of extraordinary.
Given the historical significance of the building, preserving its character was a top priority. Salvaged wood from the original structure was repurposed into key design features, including the distinctive bar in the Steeples Lounge, adding warmth and authenticity to the space. With ample square footage available, the owners also opted to create a private residential retreat within the building. This presented a unique design challenge: to craft a personal space that felt private and serene while maintaining visual harmony with the adjacent event areas.
Our vision for the transformation began with Walker Woodworking, combining thoughtful craftsmanship with modern function, all while honoring the building’s storied past.
The Start Of An Adventure
The design of this project was heavily influenced by its unique location in the heart of Uptown Shelby. Positioned next to the historic First Baptist Church, the setting served as the inspiration for one of the venue’s most distinctive features—Steeples Lounge. This thoughtfully designed space offers guests a place to relax while enjoying panoramic views of Shelby’s iconic church steeples, which reach toward the sky.
The abundance of windows throughout the building allows natural light to flood the venue, creating an inviting and uplifting atmosphere throughout the day. As the sun sets, the space transforms into a warm, glowing environment—ideal for evening events and celebrations.
To maintain both beauty and practicality, a hidden door was seamlessly integrated near the bar, providing discreet access to additional storage space without compromising the venue’s clean, sophisticated aesthetic. These subtle yet impactful details help make Uptown Indigo a genuinely memorable and functional event destination.
Preserving History
Reclaimed wood from the original structure was thoughtfully repurposed as a striking feature in the fourth-floor bar, creating both a conversation starter and a meaningful tribute to the building’s past. This design choice adds a warm, rustic character to Steeples Lounge, giving the space a bold, masculine aesthetic that complements its elevated views and relaxed atmosphere.
Upon reaching the fourth floor, guests are immediately drawn to the full kitchen—an impressive and functional element that serves dual purposes. Not only is it available for use during private events, but it also functions as a personal kitchen for the building’s owners. Smart design decisions, such as the inclusion of the versatile Galley Sink, make the space both efficient and elegant.
While the private apartment loft is filled with thoughtful details, one of the most talked-about features is the bold green hue used in the Jack-and-Jill bathroom. Its unexpected color choice immediately draws attention, prompting questions and admiration. The result is a space that feels fresh, distinctive, and deeply personal.
Another standout in the residential space is the serene master bathroom. Designed to be a calming retreat, the room is anchored by a dramatic light fixture that serves as both a focal point and a source of soft, ambient light. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a long day, offering an ideal blend of luxury and comfort.
See more pictures and read more details about this fantastic project.
Worth The Wait
After more than a year of careful planning and dedicated effort, the owners’ vision has come to life in a space perfectly suited to both their lifestyle and business needs. Their cozy loft retreat offers a comfortable sanctuary, complete with a personal wet bar for relaxing evenings. The final outcome not only met their expectations but also exceeded them, delivering a space that is both functional and inviting.
The team at Greenbrook Design played an invaluable role throughout the process. As the owners reflected, “Greenbrook is truly exceptional. There were moments when I reconsidered choices after leaving the showroom, and the team embraced my evolving ideas with open arms. They provided essential guidance based on their expertise, striking a balance between aesthetics and practical needs—such as the cleverly integrated secret door to our storage room. Their thoughtful suggestions ensured every cabinet design throughout the building was perfectly tailored to our requirements.”
While the journey was not without its challenges, every obstacle was a worthwhile part of the process. The historic Campbell Building, a landmark in Uptown Shelby for nearly a century, continues to leave a lasting impression on all who experience it. Thanks to this thoughtful renovation, its legacy will endure—preserved for generations to come.
This Is Just The Beginning
Greenbrook Design is proud to occupy the first and second floors of the historic Campbell Building, and being so close to one of our own projects is truly rewarding. Every time we ascend to the third and fourth floors and see our work come to life, it’s a reminder of the meaningful impact thoughtful design can have.
We are delighted with how the Uptown Indigo project turned out and feel honored to have been part of this historic journey alongside the building’s owners. We wish them continued success as they create lasting memories in this remarkable space.
The Campbell Building remains a cherished landmark, poised to enrich our community for generations to come.
Greenbrook DesignHome is our place of refuge, the place where we can recharge and refresh ourselves before heading out for another day at the office, whether that is driving to town or walking down the hall to our desk. Our home is also our safe zone, especially when it comes to our health. We implement things that help us maintain and protect ourselves against illness, such as easy-to-clean surfaces and materials that hinder the growth of bacteria. Multiple companies are dedicated to the health of their customers, which is why they continually develop products that not only limit the spread of disease but also promote overall wellness, whether physical or emotional. Both work together to help maintain our good health. Let’s discuss some great home products that can be utilized in your home to increase wellness for yourself and those you love.
Walker WoodworkingCoffee is a staple ingredient for the majority of people’s mornings. We love the freshly brewed scent as we begin our day and rely on the boost it gives us to get the last of the sand out of our eyes, plus a little bounce in our step. Since it has become such an integral part of the start of the day, it makes sense to create a dedicated area in the home for our beloved beverage. From a sideboard near the kitchen with all the essentials necessary to make the perfect cup or an entire section set aside for its use, there are multiple reasons why you should have a coffee station in your home. Let’s talk about how to design the perfect coffee bar area in your home, as well as some helpful tips for creating it.
Seating is a crucial element in the kitchen, as it serves as the primary hub for nearly all activities that occur in the home. Having a place to sit and talk while dinner is being made or to enjoy that morning cup of coffee makes the kitchen that much more inviting, as well as creating an environment just right for connecting with others. Ensuring there is ample room for everyone can be a challenge for both large and small kitchens, as you cannot simply add a chair or barstool wherever you want. Kitchen islands are a great place for incorporating extra seating options, but built-in seating, often referred to as banquettes, is a wonderful way to gain seats with style. Let’s discuss the benefits of incorporating built-in kitchen seating and explore ideas on how to integrate it into your design.
Walker Woodworking We love spaces that look beautiful, but many times we underestimate the little things that can have the biggest impact. Facets provide our bathrooms and kitchens with a clean and elegant way to wash our hands, our food, and our dishes. They are a functional part of the design, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. With the numerous styles and finishes offered by manufacturers, it can be challenging to determine which one will best suit your home. Several other factors should also be considered, including durability, maintenance, and suitability for specific areas of the home. Let’s talk about them here before you head out to buy your next amazing faucet.
Walker WoodworkingIf you have looked at a renovated kitchen and wondered where the appliances, such as the refrigerator and dishwasher, were, you have just experienced paneled appliances. The beauty of these custom panels lies in their ability to cover the appliances, allowing them to blend in seamlessly with the rest of the cabinetry.
Greenbrook Design
Greenbrook Design