Historic Salisbury building transformed into affordable senior housing community

SALISBURY, N.C. — A well-known building in downtown Salisbury is getting a makeover. The old Ford City Motor building on Main Street is being transformed into an affordable housing community for seniors.

2026-03-21

The complex will pay homage to the history, naming the apartments Ford City Motor Lofts, featuring a 64-unit housing complex designed for older adults. 

The project is led by the Oscela Council on Aging. The lofts blend history with modern living, preserving the original structure while expanding into a five-building complex in the heart of downtown Salisbury.

“It absolutely changes lives,” Wendy Ford, president and CEO of the Osceola Council on Aging, said. “More and more seniors are not making it on their Social Security.”

Ford said the organization took on the project after recognizing both the need for affordable housing and the opportunity to repurpose a historic site.

“This provides that location in a great facility," Mayor Tamara Sheffield said. "It’s fantastic to enjoy life, and that’s what we want."