by Rich Haag | May 27, 2021 | Business Growth, Commercial real estate, Economic Development, Greenways, Job Growth in University City, Retail Expansion, Transportation
A new building for a Starbucks and other businesses is rising along University City Boulevard within a few feet of the emerging Cross Charlotte Trail (XCLT). The new building at the main entrance to Town Center Plaza replaces a former O’Charley’s restaurant building. The XCLT, a joint effort of Mecklenburg County and the city of Charlotte, will connect several county greenways including Toby Creek Greenway to provide a single paved trail for cycling and hiking between Pineville and University City via NoDa and uptown Charlotte. Several connecting links are open, and the city expects to have the trail complete between Mallard Creek Greenway and Pineville in about 5 years. Plans call for funding the last two segments, between Kirk Farm Field (the current terminus of Mallard Creek Greenway) and the Cabarrus County Line by the later part of this decade. The new Starbucks – the first directly beside the trail – will provide a welcome place to rest and refresh just before the trail enters the UNC Charlotte campus. Building details Building plans show up to four spaces in the 7,600 square-foot building. Starbucks will occupy 2,200 square feet and have a drive-through window. Marketing materials for the project say that the building should be finished this summer. The building site is at a signalized intersection that includes an entrance ramp to WT Harris Boulevard and a safe pedestrian crossing onto the UNC Charlotte campus via the greenway. Student enrollment now exceeds more than 30,000. Several on-campus and off-campus residential communities along University are within a mile of the new building. The Shopping Center Group is handling leasing. To...
by Rich Haag | May 19, 2021 | Business Growth, Commercial real estate, Economic Development, Energy Saving Buildings
News release courtesy of Crescent Communities. Charlotte, N.C. – (May 13, 2021) – Today, Crescent Communities, a nationally-recognized, market-leading real estate investor, developer, and operator of mixed-use communities, announces the completion of construction at Escent Research Park, a creative office community situated in the heart of University City in Charlotte, NC. The first creative office space in the area, Escent Research Park boasts four stories and 159,000 square feet of modern, purposeful design that offers tenants an indoor and outdoor collaborative environment. Designed to spark connection and creativity, the building’s open floor plans with virtually column-free layouts provide flexible interior design for prospective employers, complete with natural light and tree-lined views. The finished space features an expansive two-story entrance with community lounges, a community terraced lawn, access to nearby walking trails, plus an abundance of on-site property amenities. “Escent Research Park marks the next chapter for Crescent Communities in University City – an important milestone for our Commercial organization,” says Brendan Pierce, Senior Managing Director at Crescent Communities. “The market’s highly attractive growth activity proves its emergence as a critical employment and technology hub and is just one of the many reasons we chose to build the area’s first creative office space.” Located near the intersection of West Mallard Creek Church Road and David Taylor Drive in Charlotte’s University submarket, Escent Research Park is situated on 21 acres of land, with ample retail located within a five minute walk and access to the light rail and I-85 each within one mile. Escent Research Park’s central location provides easy access to the airport, I-485, and I-77. “We are thrilled to...
by Rich Haag | Apr 27, 2021 | Business Growth, Commercial real estate, Economic Development
April 21, 2021 – University City CRE News Rezoning filed for next phase of University City Entertainment District • Cambridge Properties seeks to rezone 40 acres, Business Journal reports. • Petition calls for office building, hotel, apartments, commercial space and structured parking. • Topgolf facility opening date not announced yet; WoodSpring Suites opened earlier this year. • View University City Entertainment District plans. • MORE Apartments on campus edge sell for $12.5 million • Mallard Creek Apartments has 11 buildings, 8 acres at 9800 Mary Alexander Road. • New owner is Cedar Grove Capital, Charlotte Business Journal reports. • Two-story garden-apartment buildings and clubhouse were built in 1985. • View property report. • MORE Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen coming to University City Blvd east of I-485 • Fast-food restaurant nearing completion at 11859 University City Blvd. • Franchisee is Leblon Franchising, which operates 17 other Popeyes in Charlotte area. • Wertz Real Estate Investments is marketing 1.1-acre site and 2,400 SF building. • LoopNet listing and Marketing Package Wild Wing Café opening at University Place • Final landscaping work under way at 8760 J M Keynes Drive near N. Tryon St. • Website up and running. Wild Wing Café hiring for new location. • Facebook page shows Wild Wing Café at Pinnacle Drive permanently closed. • Read FSR Magazine article about new Wild Wing Café. • MORE Lidl planning summer opening of Mallard Creek store • Building at 615 W. Mallard Creek Church Road at Berkeley Place Drive • German discount grocer just opened 8th Charlotte store in Steele Creek • Mallard Creek store to have 25,656...
by Rich Haag | Feb 18, 2021 | Commercial real estate, Economic Development, Transit Oriented Development
Proposals for a massive industrial development, sports-facility expansion and adaptive reuse of an existing hotel are among several rezoning proposals in University City being reviewed by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Department. Also being considered: Plans for several hundred multifamily housing units and an amendment to a 2019 rezoning change for more than 400 multifamily units near the University City Blvd. LYNX Station. Hearing dates have not been set for most of the requests. The Charlotte City Council will likely consider these proposals at an upcoming monthly rezoning meeting, held the third Monday of each month. To learn more about the rezoning process, click here. Recent rezoning proposals for University City 325 multifamily units near I-485 in Prosperity Village Petitioner: Bainbridge Communities Acquisitions III, LLC Petition: 2020-159 Hearing date: Feb. 22, 2021 Location: 14.8 acres on north side of Mallard Creek Road, NE side of Ridge Road and east side of Beard Road. Property is located just east of I-485 interchange. Details: Rezone property from R-3 single-family residential to R-22MF multifamily conditional, for up to 325 mulitifamily residential units. Five buildings and 545 parking spaces. Beer garden at Prosperity Athletic Club Petitioner: Premier Athletic Management, LLC Petition: 2020-193 Location: 10.5 acres on the east side of Browne Road near Benfield Road Details: Rezone property from Institutional conditional to B1 business conditional to allow for renovation/expansion of existing Prosperity Athletic Club. Changes include addition of beer garden. Major Industrial and multifamily development near Concord Mills Mall Petitioner: Childress-Klein Properties Petition: 2021-028 Location: 287.7 acres on the north side of I-85 just west of Concord Mills Mall Details: Rezone property from CC...
by Rich Haag | Feb 18, 2021 | Commercial real estate, Economic Development, Neighborhoods, Retail Expansion, Transit Oriented Development
Updated Feb. 18, 2021 Charlotte City Council approved plans for six multifamily housing communities in University City at its January and February zoning meetings. Other approved developments include a single-family community at Hucks and Browne roads; a rental facility on West WT Harris Blvd. and 145,000 square feet of commercial and retail as part of a major residential development near I-485. Here are details. Petitions approved by City Council on Jan. 19, 2021 712 multifamily and 26 townhomes near I-85 and University City Blvd. Petitioner: Geystar GP II, LLC. Petition: 2020-086 Location: 71.9 acres on south side of University City Blvd., west of Interstate I-85. Details: Rezoned from Research to R-12 MF (CD). Plan calls for dedicating all land in Doby Creek 100-year floodplain to county for future greenway. Development will include 12-foot shared-use path along University City Blvd. Commercial center and 432 apartments and townhomes near I-85 Petitioner: WSB Retail Partners, LLC. Petition: 2020-088 Location: 58 acres on the NE side of Prosperity Church Road and South side of Johnston Oehler Road Details: Rezoned from MX and R-3 residential to Comercial Center and UR-2 Urban Residential, conditional. Rezoning will allow up to 300 multifamily units, 132 townhomes and up to 145,000 SF of commercial and retail. Property is Prosperity Village development area near I-485. 157 duplex, triplex or single-family attached homes on IBM Drive Petitioner: J.S. & Associates, Inc. Petition: 2020-102 Location: 23.4 acres at IBM Drive and Neal Road. Details: Rezoned from R-8 MF conditional multifamily and R-4 single-family residential to R-8 MF conditional multifamily for up to 157 duplex, triplex or single-family attached homes. Plan calls...
by Rich Haag | Jan 6, 2021 | Business Growth, Commercial real estate, Economic Development, Job Growth in University City, Transit Oriented Development, Transportation
January 2021 report on commercial real estate in University City – Charlotte Centene East Coast HQ leads 2020 business news, says Charlotte Ledger “That’s the huge one,” Ledger Executive Editor Tony Mecia tells WFAE. Total jobs could top 6,000 – biggest jobs announcement in NC history, Mecia says. Centene news also helps NC earn “2020 State of the Year” title from Business Facilities. MORE NOVEL Research Park sells for $69.5 million Charlotte Observer says price is among highest ever for University City apartments. The year-old community, now named Pointe at Research Park, has 280 units on 19.3 acres. Site adjoins property purchased by Centene Corp. for East Coast headquarters. Other recent sales in University City include RUSH student housing for $95.25 million. MORE Work under way or starting soon on 2 apartment communities Spectrum JV is building 325-unit development near University City Blvd LYNX station. MORE ContraVest to start work soon on Addison One15 at W. Harris Blvd and Old Statesville Road. Addison One15 will offer attached garages, cybercafe, private office spaces. MORE I-85 North Bridge update: work starting on utilities relocation in Research Park Work will start soon along David Taylor Drive and Research Drive near Louis Rose Place. Project will begin with tree removal. Utilities will relocate both underground and overhead lines. City will work to maintain safety for workers, surrounding businesses and commuters. Bridge and new roadway will link Research Park to University Place, LYNX, university. Questions: Leslie Bing, project manager, at 704-577-8609 or lbing@charlottenc.gov. MORE Recent building permits in University City Building permits issued from Sept. 7 to Dec. 8 2020 include: Centene East Coast...
