BAR approves entry gate at Mickey Building on East Market Street

The Charlottesville Board of Architectural Review on Tuesday approved a certificate of appropriateness for a metal entry gate at the Mickey Building, a two‑story brick structure on East Market Street.

Staff presented the application and recommended approval, noting the gate would close an existing vestibule to increase nighttime security while minimizing alterations to the building’s exterior. "The design identifies the gate as non‑historic while contributing to the contemporary eclectic elements that have been added over the years to this historic building," staff said during the presentation.

Candace Smith, the project architect, told the BAR the gate includes a glass transom so the historic arch is preserved and that existing exterior fixtures — including the paired lights flanking the opening — will remain. "The proposed metal gate installation really aims to minimize the alterations to the existing structure," Smith said. She added the gate will swing inward when open and include emergency egress hardware and a keyed exterior access panel.

Board members asked whether the Babar/weathered copper sconces would remain; staff confirmed they will. After brief questions about egress and the exterior Knox box for emergency access, a committee member moved to find the proposal compatible with the ADC district design guidelines and to approve the COA as submitted. The BAR voted to approve the application.

The approval allows the applicant to proceed to permit and construction; any further changes that affect the building’s exterior would require a return to the BAR.