Proximity Park project turns back the clock

Future building entrance of Proximity Park

Future building entrance of Proximity Park

By next fall, one of University City’s oldest office buildings will look like its newest.

With a redesign by global architectural firm Gensler, the former office of Allstate Insurance, at 401 McCullough Drive, will have completed its transformation to Proximity Park – the single biggest available suburban office building on the 19-mile LYNX light rail line.

Work will start in the next few weeks on major improvements to the building and 32-acre campus, including a visually striking new entrance and two-story glass atrium, new energy efficient windows, extensive new landscaping and an outdoor meeting area.

The building already underwent several months of interior demolition, which included removal of the old mechanical, electrical and HVAC systems. The redesigned building will have all new energy-efficient systems.

When the remodeling is finished next August, Proximity Park will offer nearly 200,000 square feet of space for lease in like-new condition – with room for expansion – within a 10-minute walk to light rail and a 1-mile drive to I-85.

 

Potential corporate campus

401 McCullough Drive building before renovations

Before: 401 McCullough Drive building before renovations

Colliers International, which is handling the building transformation and its marketing, hopes to find a single tenant for the building. The building also can be subdivided for up to three tenants.

“Given the unique design of it and the large campus setting, we feel like Proximity Park will provide a unique opportunity for a company wanting its own branded building with easy expansion potential,” said Brad Grow, a partner in Colliers’ Charlotte office.

After: Proximity Park after renovations are complete

After: Proximity Park after renovations are complete

The site can accommodate an additional 100,000 square feet of office space, plus structured parking for the additional employees.

That building will have great curb appeal, Grow said, thanks to its campus setting and the fresh redesign from Gensler.

Among the highlights: a new entrance will bring visitors into a two-story glass atrium with decorative grand stairway and second-floor balcony.

 

Close to what matters

two-story glass atrium

A new two-story glass atrium will feature a balcony and grand staircase

The name, “Proximity Park,” speaks clearly to the property’s other great selling point, Grow said: easy access to Charlotte by road and rail.

“There’s not a large block of suburban office space available right now that’s this close to a light-rail station,” he said. “That proximity is a real benefit to businesses in attracting and retaining a work force that wants access to light rail.”

The half-mile walk to the McCullough LYNX Station and to nearby restaurants along W.T. Harris Boulevard will be enhanced by a city project under design now to add wide sidewalks, shade trees and bike lanes along the full length of McCullough. The project will be finished in fall 2021.

 

Short trips by car

Key Charlotte destinations are short drives away via I-85, including Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (18 minutes), Center City (15 minutes) and Concord Regional Airport (13 minutes). The latter offers extensive corporate jet service as well as commercial flights.

Other assets of Proximity Park include:

  • Existing parking ratio of 6+ per 1,000 square feet
  • Dual power feed plus three backup generators
  • Multiple fiber providers

 

To learn more

0 Comments


Receive Up to Date News


Receive Economic Development News


View Past Newsletters


View Post by Category


Press Releases

Meet Jordan Harris

This month, UCP welcomed Jordan Harris as the Director of Community Development and Outreach. With over a decade of community relations experience in various roles, most recently serving as the associate director of community relations at UNC Charlotte. In her new...

We’re Back…with a Vision!

University City Vision Plan – Connecting: People. Places. Nature. The growth and development being realized in University City is nothing short of transformational.  Major investments in transportation and mobility infrastructure, thousands of new rooftops, new...

University City launches Barton Creek Greenway Native Meadow

By Azania Herron University City Partners, University of North Carolina at Charlotte Botanical Gardens and North Carolina Native Plant Society have partnered to install Barton Creek Greenway Native Meadows, a community native plant project in University City. On April...

New Farmers Market to open Oct. 3 at University Place

University City Partners announces the opening of University City Farmers Market on Oct. 3 around the lake at The Shoppes at University Place. Shoppers will find fresh local produce, food preparation programs and live entertainment. Open every Saturday in October The...

University City Wine Fest to Offer Socially Distanced Activities

New This Year: Wine on the Water and a Boutique Dining Experience.  Greystar University City Wine Fest will return this fall at multiple locations around the lake and boardwalk at Shoppes at University Place. The fourth annual festival will take place from September...

Where Will They Play?

We need more parks now – YOU CAN HELP A crisis caused by Charlotte’s explosive growth and government inaction threatens one of the most important assets of every truly livable city – public parks.   A recent nationwide study revealed that Charlotte has the least...