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GREENSBORO - Whiz by it as you drive down Elm Street and you might not notice the house behind the overgrown shrubs and the scrubby gray siding.

Under the tall pines is one of Greensboro's quiet landmarks - the first of three homes designed by Woman's College students with the help of architect Edward Loewenstein 50 years ago.

Soon the site could evolve into something else - the site of medical offices.

Developers would like the land rezoned so they can build office buildings. Neighbors, historic preservation advocates and city staff aren't sure that's right for the neighborhood.

The Greensboro zoning commission is scheduled to hear the rezoning request on Monday . But the developers are asking for the hearing to be pushed back a month so they can work with neighbors on a more amenable plan for the development.

In 1957 , Loewenstein and 23 Woman's College students started a yearlong project to design and oversee construction on the mid-century modern home.

The home, called the Commencement House, was built into the slightly hilly lot. Students used new electrical home appliances. McCall's magazine, which published a story about the project, called it a "real honey of a home."

"It's not your typical suburban house," said Patrick Lucas , a UNCG professor who studied Loewenstein's work. "It has more modern language than many of its neighbors."

A hands-on design program for women was radical for the time, Lucas said.

"Not only was the house innovative, but to have 23 women in the '50s doing this kind of work was just unheard of," said Jane Levy , the architect's daughter, who lives up the street from the house in another home design by Loewenstein. "My father not only was very proactive with civil rights with regards to African Americans, but also with women. People forget that. This was a very progressive thing for Greensboro, North Carolina, to do."

Developers, operating under the name Cornwallis Elm LLC, have purchased the house and three other single-family homes. They plan to replace the homes with two office buildings and a two-story parking deck.

The developers considered different options for the space but decided medical offices would be the best use.

"This is the one we thought is the best transition from a commercial bank on the corner," said developer Buddy Seymour. "Medical offices ... are one of the least intrusive uses."

Neighbors - and the city staff, who recommended that the zoning commission deny the rezoning request - disagree.

"You're really encroaching on a neighborhood. You're not just building on the edge of a neighborhood," said area resident Richard Levy, one of about 50 neighbors who met with the developers last week.

Until late November, the developers did not know about the historical significance of the site, Seymour said.

They're considering alternative designs for the land, including options that would save the house.

"We heard what the neighbors were concerned about," said Henry Isaacson , an attorney for the developers. "It is going to take a little bit of time to go back to the drawing board."

Benjamin Briggs , director of Preservation Greensboro, said he would gladly work with the developers to find a new use for the home. "A realistic partnership would be to find an individual or a corporation that was willing to see this property preserved as an office space," Briggs said.

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com