A piece of Raleigh’s tourism history has begun an exciting new chapter. On Monday, November 9, The Gables officially opened its doors at 1217 Wake Forest Road. The intimate 18-room boutique retreat is located in Raleigh’s historic Mordecai neighborhood.
For followers of Preservation Raleigh, this historic revival is a major cause for celebration. In our previous feature on Historic Tourist Homes, we explored how U.S. Route 1 served as the primary arterial corridor into downtown Raleigh during the golden age of American road trips. Along this route, local homeowners opened their doors to travelers, creating cozy, homey alternatives to grand downtown hotels during the Great Depression and World War II.
The Gables stands as one of the most remarkable anchors of that era—and thanks to a thoughtful, years-long renovation project, it is officially back in service.
Rooted in Route 1 Hospitality
Originally completed in 1930 for Ella Johnson, and her husband William, a local pharmacist operating Johnson’s Pharmacy on East Martin Street, the stone residence quickly grew beyond a single-family home. By the late 1930s, Ella was hosting long-term tenants and short-term guests, including traveling salespeople, vacationing families, and returning World War II veterans. In 1945, the Johnsons expanded the footprint with a rear addition and a separate two-story structure, and it was officially known as the Yellow Gables Tourist Home.
Following the Johnsons’ era, Charlie and Dot Griffin purchased the lodge in the 1960s and continued renting rooms for decades. Charlie Griffin operated the lodge himself into his nineties, welcoming guests until his passing in August 2017 at age 93. In accordance with his wishes, his great-nephew, Tommy Flynn, placed the half-acre property up for sale later that year. Standing as one of the last operating roadside motels along that historic Route 1 stretch, the property waited for a new owner with the vision to honor its past.
A Sympathetic Restoration
In 2018, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Tift Merritt and developer Daniel Robinson, co-owner of The Durham Hotel, purchased the vacant property following a months-long rezoning process with the City of Raleigh. That effort earned a nearly unanimous vote of support from the Mordecai CAC. The project encountered a slow start between 2018 and 2025 due to COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns alongside construction and financial delays, but neighbors were thrilled when work picked back up in August 2025. Following regular updates and rapid progress, the team partnered with Sarah Yarborough of Heyday Productions and Craig Spitzer of Durham-based Early Bird Night Owl to complete their meticulous restoration leading up to this November’s grand opening.
Rather than tearing down or erasing its character, the team worked diligently to preserve the soul of the historic structure. On the first floor, they were able to restore and save the original 1928 hardwood floorboards, preserving a beautiful surface where nearly a century of travelers have walked. The front porch also features the original broken tile mosaic floor, which was saved to preserve another layer of the building’s history.
Throughout the renovation, the team curated a shadow box display filled with items unearthed during the project, including a vintage train set, historic bottles and cans, an old baseball, receipts, and other surprises discovered within and around the building. By turning these original artifacts into featured elements of the new design, the hotel honors the everyday lives of the guests and owners who came before.
These preservation efforts extend beyond the main house. The team saved the vintage Gables Motel sign that stood along Wake Forest Road for decades, and it will eventually be displayed inside the new property. Outside, a welcoming sign featuring their lovely new Art Deco inspired logo was installed in October.
The new owners also saved The Gables’ metal awning, which carries its own layered neighborhood history. Charlie Griffin, the second owner of The Gables who operated the lodge for over 50 years, originally inherited the awning from his brother Johnny Griffin. Johnny ran nearby neighborhood institutions Johnny’s Motor Lodge (the original home of the awning) and Johnny’s Supper Club. When Johnny passed away, Charlie moved the awning to The Gables. While official plans for its ultimate reuse have not yet been announced, preservationists can rest easy knowing it is safely preserved and not sitting in a landfill. Stay tuned for future updates on where it lands!
Inside, the property blends classic roadside lodge nostalgia with custom textiles, creative touches, and works from local and regional artists, including Harriet Hoover, Reading Designs, Joe Sink Pottery, and Bo Taylor Custom Woodworking. The original stone garage has been transformed into Alcove, an intimate all-day café and bar connecting guests and neighbors alike, while a new 3,500-square-foot addition seamlessly bridges historic stone with modern amenities.
As Merritt puts it: “We wanted to create a place that feels soulful, welcoming, and deeply rooted in Raleigh. The Gables is meant to encourage conversation, rest, creativity, and community.”
Protecting The Gables with Historic Designation?
The successful revival of The Gables demonstrates how historic preservation and renovation can breathe new life into Raleigh’s historic corridors.
As the property begins its next century of welcoming travelers, Preservation Raleigh would love to work with the owners and the Raleigh Historic Development Commission to see The Gables become an official Raleigh Historic Landmark.
Local landmark designation is a meaningful honor bestowed by our community, recognizing a property’s cultural and architectural significance. For property owners, local landmark designation offers an annual 50% property tax deferral in exchange for a binding commitment to maintain and safeguard the building’s historic features—a win-win for historic preservation and local character. (Learn more about how property designation works in our guide to landmarking in Raleigh).
Plan Your Visit
Reservations and details for The Gables and Alcove café are available now at thegablesraleigh.com, or follow their journey on Instagram @thegablesraleigh.
Media contact:
Andrea Weigl | Weigl Communications
Photography: Baxter Miller