University City Projects/News

[TheOneRJ]

TopGolf North Charlotte will officially open later this year. 
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/topgolf-plans-to-open-second-location-in-charlotte-301000042.html

[Rufus]

On 1/31/2020 at 10:12 PM, KJHburg said:

Looks like only the weird corner spaces will eventually be left after Phase 1 and 2? There's a lot of "park" space, or just green space, which doesn't make me feel super excited. This should be as urban as South End, and instead it looks like what is already overpopulating UC. 

Intrigued to see more. 

[HighRiseHillbilly]

5 hours ago, Rufus said:

Looks like only the weird corner spaces will eventually be left after Phase 1 and 2? There's a lot of "park" space, or just green space, which doesn't make me feel super excited. This should be as urban as South End, and instead it looks like what is already overpopulating UC. 

Intrigued to see more. 

The "fake lake" really isn't that big and it's much more of a chill and stroll area than hustle and bustle. The latter needs to be crammed along the desolate main streets to start. What's proposed here will probably fill the space out nicely as long as they don't leave all the parking lots in the future. 

I'm assuming you weren't referring to the parking lots when you said park space...

[KJHburg]

Phase 2 where the existing Applebees and the old now relocated Chickfila were that will be developed as well and those surface lots for the new office building will become a parking garage. 

This is getting a lot more dense but don't expect Southend density here. 

[HighRiseHillbilly]

I was driving around up there the other day and those Verde apartments look nice from the street along with its neighbors.  Hopefully a preview of more urbanity to come.

[KJHburg]

University city rising with this new on campus at the LYNX station Marriott hotel.

 

[Hushpuppy321]

WSOC-TV has a news report tonight about all the Development being spurred by LightRail in University City.  Saying because of availability of Land that UC has the ‘potential’ to be more developed than Southend.  What say you all...?

[Cadi40]

No. The University Area has a ton of potential don’t get me wrong, But it will always be suburban for the most part. Within the next 5-10 years, South End will easily be one of the most desirable urban neighborhoods in the Southeast. The same can’t be same for University City. 

[HighRiseHillbilly]

It's weird up there. There really is a lot of land available, but it's just....weird. I stated how much I love the look of those Verde apartments  (I hope they can replicate them in another part of town), but they face a Shomars and a plasma donation center. Some other new apartments down the street have a nice view of a Waffle House. Not necessarily suburban, but not necessarily desirable. It's not sexy up there, and that's something I don't see changing.

It would take decades, but I could definitely see that area being more developed than Southend if they start jamming stuff in and being smart with the space. Some of the new developments have way too much parking. If you factor in all the worthless buildings that no one would miss (Famous Mart) there's nothing but room for growth. I'm interested in seeing what happens. 

[KJHburg]

But what the one thing University City has is affordability.  apartments are less expensive there and you can get more space for your money.  It wont be a Southend never will be but it is can be a premier suburban area with LYNX and there are NOT many places like that in Charlotte.  Their hotels in the area have already seen increased occupancy why?  You can hop on a train and be downtown but stay at a suburban price and free parking too.    And it is a good thing there is vacant land nearby the stations as it allows more transit friendly neighborhoods.  As you see University Place is being redone as a mixed use community.   Things are changing fast in the UC area and it is happening quicker than when the LYNX opened to the south in the more suburban stations south of Woodlawn Rd to 485. 

[QCxpat]

Today's Charlotte Ledger - University City is primed to add jobs, big-time  -"Charlotte’s University area, long home to sprawling office parks, is getting reinvigorated with loads of new office construction to accommodate what officials say is renewed interest from employers.  Lots of areas in Charlotte are booming. But the University area has been relatively quiet until recently on the construction of new offices. Last year, though, developers announced 4 million s.f. of office projects — which would roughly double the existing inventory of office space. Those would help accommodate more jobs on the way. “We are chasing a lot of jobs up in the University area,” assistant city manager Tracy Dodson told The Ledger. “We put a light rail line up there, we already have a lot of jobs up there, and we have the university up there. That area is ripe.” "Get ready for cranes: The University area is about to experience a construction boom that includes a number of new office projects. This is the Marriott under construction by UNC Charlotte at the J.W. Clay light rail stop." "The University area seems especially well-positioned to take advantage of the recent Charlotte boomlet of tech jobs. UNC Charlotte awards more computer science degrees than N.C. State.  In the last few months, developers have announced office projects including: The new owners of Innovation Park, which was originally home to IBM, announced in October that they plan to build up to 1.5 million s.f. of office space to the site, which would nearly double its size. In October, Crescent Communities announced 158,000 s.f. in four stories of “creative office space” in University Research Park. “We see a void in the marketplace for first generation creative office space in the growing University Research Park area of Charlotte,” a Crescent VP said. In July, the City Council approved a rezoning for Waters Edge, a development by EB Arrow that includes 182,000 s.f. of office near the site of the current Shoppes at University Place. Last month, Principal Financial Group signed a lease for 106,000 s.f. in a development called Proximity Park. Principal bought Wells Fargo’s institutional retirement business last year." “We are a pretty hot market right now,” says Darlene Heater, executive director of University City Partners. She says light rail has “reawakened” the area, which is seeing renewed interest from employers and developers interested in all kinds of projects.  Some of the big employers in the area are quietly growing and adding to the area’s employment base, too. Notable names include Electrolux, Duke Energy, Rack Room Shoes, TIAA and a Wells Fargo campus that employs about 14,000 people — more than Wells has uptown. The area seems poised for change.  “We are a suburban market that is trying to transition into an urban market,” Darlene Heater said." Of the major Charlotte office submarkets, the University area has the least expensive rents, which could help draw companies to the area. (Source: JLL Research Report, 4Q 2019.) Link:  https://charlotteledger.substack.com/

[KJHburg]

rolled through the University area today.

1. NPR affordable apartments at Old Concord station off N Tryon 2.3. Blu at Northline apartments by Panorama Holdings.  4.5. new apartments at N tryon and 85 connector road still within walking distance of the UC LYNX station   6.7. Oxford properties apartments now open and across from station.   9.10 Panorama Holdings new apartments site work and behind and on the side of the UC station parking garage.  11. 12.  Top Golf steel frame in the distance and yes this is underway. 

 

[KJHburg]

Part 2 of my UC driving tour today.

1. newer apartments on IKEA Blvd and I think these are great looking.  2.3 new apartments right at the McCullough station view from behind.  Photos 4-7 the new Marriott hotel on the campus is really rising fast.    8. Farmington development at I-485 and Rocky River half in Meck county and half in Harrisburg Cabarrus county. 

I think the University area N Tryon corridor had stagnated but now it is being reinvigorated due to the LYNX line with apartments, new office buildings and attractions.  

 

[urbanlover568]

Unrecognizable from even 5 years ago! Impressive changes! 

[NCMike1990]

Some new ones of Univ. City, specifically 10101 David Taylor Dr. https://photos.clearskyimages.com/2020-03-10101-david-taylor-charlotte-nc-pln

 

 

Edited March 27, 2020 by NCMike1990

[KJHburg]

^^^ what is that crazy blue roof on Electrolux building?  I think when it built for First Charter Bank it was red but it seems brighter now.  

[KJHburg]

the new Marriott at UNC Charlotte looks great and I think it is topped off.  Really a nice hotel. Drive by today.

 

[KJHburg]

this hotel is looking great.  Drive by today only activity on campus it seems especially in this part of the campus.

[KJHburg]

More from the University area today including new affordable apartments at N Tryon and Old Concord by the LYNX station (1) , new apartments at the Univ. City Blvd station (2-4),  big pile of dirt is new apartment complex by Panorama holdings next to UC Blvd station (5) new Top Golf (6) ,  new apartments at the McCullough station (7-9, new CMPD University area office under way (photo 10) .   This area is really changing.  Wait until the University Place demo and redevelopment starts.  

[kermit]

Marriott conference center today. My wife said "its kinda small"

 

Edited May 8, 2020 by kermit

[KJHburg]

Little drive by tour of the UC as I saw some new framed up buildings from I-85 so I exited off to explore. 

1. new apartments across from the UC Blvd LYNX station.  2.  TopGolf location 3 .  new apartments by Panorama holdings I sold from 85 framed up 

4. 5. new Verde apartments at N Tryon and McCullough LYNX station  Rest of photos the new Marriott hotel on UNC Charlotte campus. 

 

[Hushpuppy321]

On 5/7/2020 at 9:45 PM, kermit said:

Marriott conference center today. My wife said "its kinda small"

 

Yeah - not sure why City of Charlotte had to contribute $$ towards this project.  Anyone know why or what the benefits are?

[tozmervo]

1 hour ago, Hushpuppy321 said:

Yeah - not sure why City of Charlotte had to contribute $$ towards this project.  Anyone know why or what the benefits are?

The ask was specifically for financing toward the conference facility. Below are relevant slides from a presentation to the city. Basically it becomes an asset the city can use as leverage for pursuing conferences, employers, etc. 

[Rufus]

2 hours ago, Hushpuppy321 said:

Yeah - not sure why City of Charlotte had to contribute $$ towards this project.  Anyone know why or what the benefits are?

It's an option for the University to use when selling itself to researchers and major funders. They can stay on the campus and be close to the action. So, in a way, it's hopeful to drive research funding to the university. 

[Hushpuppy321]

So it’s a win-win situation for UNCC and CLT.  Cool deal.  So there’s no other Ballroom/Meeting Room/Conference type space like this available elsewhere in the city?

Im going to look up whether or not other major UNC schools (Like NC State & UNC) have a comparable facility to this one being built at UNCC.

2 minutes ago, Hushpuppy321 said:

So it’s a win-win situation for UNCC and CLT.  Cool deal.  So there’s no other Ballroom/Meeting Room/Conference type space like this available elsewhere in the city?

Im going to look up whether or not other major UNC schools (Like NC State & UNC) have a comparable facility to this one being built at UNCC.

Dang - Answered my own question.

So - NC State has the McKimmon Center.   UNC has the Friday Center.  Gonna see how this UNCC Marriott compares to both.