💡We Need Bold Visions in Charlotte
Charlotte has long been a city that often plays it safe when it comes to bold public space ideas. We tend to work within traditional frameworks rather than taking big swings. But when there’s a clear challenge in front of us, that’s exactly when innovation matters most.
Interstate 77 presents an opportunity to completely rethink how roads, neighborhoods, and public space interact. A few months ago, our friends at @sustainclt launched a “Call for Visionaries” inviting designers, architects and enthusiasts to reimagine how I-77 impacts the built environment and explore ways to lessen its visual, economic, and quality-of-life impacts on the city.
One of the teams tackling that challenge was our friends at @gresham_smith . I recently had the chance to see their proposal and talk through how ideas like this could resonate with the community.
For decades, I-77 has acted as a scar across Charlotte’s urban landscape, physically disconnecting neighborhoods from one another. Gresham Smith’s vision begins to address some of those divisions while accommodating I-77s growth needs, and stitching together some of the city’s most exciting areas of growth, development, and public-private collaboration.
Take a look and let me know what you think in the comments.
🚨🚨BREAKING NEWS: Riverside & Singerman Real Estate LLC have closed on 3.5 acres of prime uptown land🚨🚨
301 S Tryon, formerly known as 2 Wells Fargo has sold to Riverside out of Chicago. Public records indicate the price was around $36.5m. The plot in includes the Wells Fargo Plaza & Atrium, the 32 story 2WFC, a 6 story parking garage and the 12 story 329 S Tryon building.
This is incredible uptown news as this developer, who is behind Queensbridge Collective, does not skimp. @queensbridgecollective is a monumental project and is top notch in design and pedestrian accessibility.
A @riverside.chi representative has told us they have huge plans for the site that includes a top-to-bottom retro fit that will include “a hotel, office, residential, retail”.
This is a developing story. More news as it comes in.
Photo from @sdxstudios
🚨🚨🚨FIRST LOOK: Market on Morehead will open its massive space within the next month🚨🚨🚨
@marketonmorehead is located at College & Morehead @ Carson Station and we love it. The group is out of Columbia, SC where their Market on Main has become a go to in the area.
The offerings include a menu is full of approachable American favorites and tons of beverages. We will go more into that when they get closer to opening; let’s talk about the space!!
INSIDE
It’s massive. There’s a sunken dining area that we just love and is very unique. The bar is huge and there’s plenty of seating for a bustling lunch crowd and group dinners.
The space gives off an elevated, high end vibe but Market on Morehead is all about accessibility. It’s a place anyone can go to, for any occasion.
OUTSIDE
The patio’s centerpiece is a HUGE screen that just has to be seen. There are portions out in the fresh air and there’s also a covered portion that can be fully enclosed. The patio is also extremely pup friendly with its own entrance so you don’t have to walk through the space with your dog.
ACCESSIBILITY
Not only is Market on Morehead right on the Carson light rail station but it also has a (free) parking deck right outside its front door. Between the station, a parking deck, the rail trail and the soon to be rail trail bridge, it’s about as easy to get to as it gets.
I had a SUPER cool opportunity today to take a first look at @spacecraft.city ‘s latest project in NoDa, @oxbow.clt and they have a very unique approach to development compared to what we typically see in the Charlotte market currently. Their thesis is based on creating walkable neighborhoods and promoting community and interaction between the building and the neighborhood. They offer rentable vehicles and e-bikes for residents, catering to likeminded individuals that “live locally” and in a neighborhood like Optimist Park/Noda, you’re able to do that. What other neighborhoods in Charlotte do you think would benefit from this approach? Do you think other developers will follow suit or continue to accommodate a car-centric lifestyle? Let me know what you think! #charlottenc #realestatedevelopment #newconstruction #commercialrealestate #construction
Now we’re cooking!
We’re thrilled to announce the full Next Level Hope lineup, including these incredibly talented chefs joining us from across Charlotte:
-@chefshaunking , Executive Chef of @uchirestaurants Charlotte
-@chef_of_valor25 , Executive Chef of @communitymatterscafe
-@chefvincegiancarlo , Culinary Director of B-Side Hospitality Group
-Nekenya St.Clair of @kenskitchennn
-Shea Williamson of @chefsheabutter
-Kenneth Williams of @kennethwilliamscatering
In addition to the stacked group of chefs, we’re welcoming @tom_haberstroh as host and the following panel of judges:
-@laurabdigital from @axioscharlotte
-Clayton Sealey of @cltdevelopment
-@rthurmond , Chief Marketing Officer for Charlotte Center City Partners
-@shindychen , writer for @eater and @cltfive
On Friday, May 15, Next Level Hope - our first annual culinary competition inspired by the hit tv show Next Level Chef - takes over The Forum at Hope Haven in support of our mission to help individuals and families move beyond cycles of addiction, homelessness, and instability. Our chefs will be paired up to create their own take on a “homemade meal” that will be judged by our panel AND guests.
Tickets are available now at the link in our bio!
BIG changes coming to South Tryon Street, and no, this isn’t April Fools.
@spandrel_development who developed @radiusdilworth is set to redevelop 400 South Tryon with a major conversion from office to a mixed-use building featuring a hotel, residential units, and a rooftop amenity space. Early concepts show the lower eight floors becoming a hotel, with roughly 25 floors of housing above. Also included is a refurb of the parking deck with two floors being added on, and revamping of the plaza spaces and retail.
Why this matters. This would be Charlotte’s largest office-to-residential conversion to date. It is a real signal of where Uptown is heading. More people living and staying in the core means more activity after 5 PM and a stronger, more balanced city center.
There is also a market story here. This project removes about 587,000 square feet of largely vacant office space, helping stabilize a segment of the market where older Class B buildings have struggled while newer towers continue to lease up.
And a quick nod to the building itself. Built in 1974, standing 420 feet tall, and designed by @littleonline_ , this tower has been part of the skyline for 50 years. Think of it as a classic getting a second life.
Charlotte is not just growing, it is evolving.
We did a segment with Carolina Impact on PBS Charlotte and you can see it! Link to the full segment in bio at @activationstudios
We need funding and space to keep this amazing program going!
Highest thanks to @wtvipbsclt for getting the word out about who we are and what we do!
PASTA BAR COMING SOON: @southendclt get ready for Lady Funari
Hot off the heels of their launch of the fantastic @micarinoclt , B-Side Group is now introducing their next concept; a modern pasta bar and cafe @ladyfunari
I first announced they were taking the former Futo Buta space in South End at the Bland St light rail stop, but now I can share more details.
The space is named after Chef @chefvincegiancarlo ’s grandmother and the menu will be deeply personal for him. It will feature handmade pastas, light shareable plates and seasonal ingredients.
The space looks super cozy and will fit 40 inside and 40 on the patio on the rail trail. There will be a pasta counter and an Italian-focused beverage program.
As a pasta lover (who isn’t let’s be honest), I could not be more excited about this. I love the B-Side Group and cannot wait to see what they do with this prime spot.
@james.r.craig and @rebelrebelcre repped
Renderings by @southwicka_i provided by @we.are.niceday
Charlotte is putting real money behind community ideas and most people don’t even know this exists. The Placemaking Grant is for residents who want to improve the spaces they live in.
Real people with real ideas. From murals to safer streets to gathering spaces these are the kinds of changes that actually impact daily life.💰 $5,000–$25,000 in funding 📅 Deadline: May 1 at 5PM
If you’ve ever thought a space in your neighborhood could be better, this is how you do something about it.
#CharlotteNC #CLT #CityOfCharlotte #LocalGovernment
🚨🚨SCOOP: Monday Night Garden Co will be doing an expansion of sorts to their @southendclt hot spot🚨🚨
@mondaynightclt is easily one of our favorite spots in town. It’s always a good time, it’s always packed and they have some of the best beers around.
To enhance their already amazing space, they will be adding a fun container bar and screen on their massive patio. It will be close to the corner of Tryon & Rampart and offer some relief to the inside bar.
This bar will serve their beers as well as cocktails and will have a giant screen on top to show games, movies etc.
This project is currently in permitting now so stay tuned as it gets closer to completion.
So inspired by today’s Faith in Housing Lunch & Learn.
I’m always reminded that some of the most impactful work in our @cltgov starts with people who simply ask: “How can we help?”
Our faith community is answering that question in a big way—by opening doors, building partnerships, and creating housing opportunities for neighbors in need.
Projects like Easter Homes show what’s possible when vision meets collaboration.
Proud of the work we’re doing together to build a Charlotte where everyone has a place to call home.
#Charlotte #AffordableHousing #FaithLeaders #FaithInHousing
