Be prepared for many changes in the landscape and skyline of uptown Charlotte, NC over the next few years.  The upswing in the area’s economy has many developers looking to accommodate and capitalize on the growth in the city of Charlotte.  In this 1st of a 2-part series, let’s take a look at some of the construction projects that were announced or are underway.

Construction is underway on a new park in uptown Charlotte.  First Ward Park will be located on 3.2-acres

First Ward Park Rendering via Shadley Associates

between ImaginOn and UNC Charlotte along Brevard Street.  The park is a part of a mixed-use development project for Levine Properties.  The 24-acre First Ward assemblage includes plans for 2 parking decks with about 1,500 spaces and an apartment building with over 250 units.  Additionally, Levine Properties is working on bringing a Hilton hotel to the First Ward.

Construction on several new office towers will start uptown as developers plan to break ground at the start of 2015.  Spectrum Properties and Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers are scheduled to begin construction on a 25-story office tower at 300 S. Tryon St.  “300 South Tryon” will feature approximately 630,000 square feet of rental office space, a 10,000 square foot fitness center, an upscale two-story restaurant with terrace seating, a coffee shop, and a tavern restaurant.  Click here for a live construction camera feed of the “300 South Tryon” project – live camera view.

Rendering via Cresent Communities and Little

Also, Crescent Communities is looking to break ground on a new development called “Tryon Place,” a 27-story mixed-use high-rise.  A Charlotte Observer article stated that Tryon Place will include street-level retail and a tree-lined plaza and 500,000 to 1 million square feet in office space as well as hotel space.  There are also talks of Crescent Properties working on another mixed-use project in uptown which would include a 450-room hotel, 70,000 square feet of retail, including a grocery store and 600 apartments.

Portman Holdings plan to begin construction of the “615 South College” project in June 2015 which comprises of a 19-story office tower totaling 370,000 square feet and will be built above the Westin hotel’s existing parking deck.  According to the Charlotte Business Journal, the developers plan to include an elevated green plaza, two-story balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, a fitness center with locker rooms, and a conference facility.  Completion of the project is expected in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Embassy Suites Hotel

BPR Properties broke ground in June 2014 at 401 East Martin Luther King Blvd. in uptown Charlotte, which will be the site to the future home of a 250-suite Embassy Suites Hotel.  Embassy Suites plan to open their doors in the Summer of 2016.

Another hotel construction project has been planned in Charlotte’s Center City.  This project is expected to begin in late 2015 and includes a 300-room hotel tower with a potential rooftop bar, located at Charlotte’s EpiCentre complex.  The tower will house two hotel brands under one roof: a 184-room AC Hotel and a 116-room Residence Inn.

These are just some of the announced construction projects that will reshape Charlotte’s center city.  Be sure to check back with us for updates on other ongoing or proposed projects.