University City Projects/News

[KJHburg]

original big box part of University Place all emptied out and ready for demo or getting close for the Novel apartments alongside the lake.   rendering of apartment complex from their website.

NOVEL UNIVERSITY PLACE (crescentcommunities.com)  

Marriott hotel on UNCC campus is getting closer to completion.

 

 

[Matthew.Brendan]

What a fantastic redevelopment project. When does that big box shopping center layout date from? Feels very 1990's

[KJHburg]

31 minutes ago, Matthew.Brendan said:

What a fantastic redevelopment project. When does that big box shopping center layout date from? Feels very 1990's

Carley Capital built in in late 1980s if I remember.  Residential up against the lake is better than the back of a big boxes.  Plus they plan a class A office building too.  

Charlotte NC: Waters Edge at University Place - Retail Space For Lease - EB Arrow (propertycapsule.com)

[KJHburg]

this is TopGolf from Univ. City Blvd across from IKEA and looks like it will open this spring.  and yes it is within walking distance of the LYNX station! 

[Firejudyrose]

Escent Research Park at @ 5:30pm today. 

[rancenc]

Thanks for the above drone pictures @Firejudyrose as well as the ones from the Centene Campus construction!!

[KJHburg]

various projects around the University area today. 

New student apartments along NC 49 photos 1-3

New verde apartments at the McCullough LYNX station replacing single level office buildings

Photo 4 new CMPD office

Photos 5 and rest the new Marriott hotel on campus opening soon.  Hotel opening next month.

GM talks UNC Charlotte's new $87M hotel and conference center - Charlotte Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

 

[KJHburg]

How UNC Charlotte has contributed to the University area of Charlotte's boom.

Development Boom: How UNC Charlotte is powering University City’s dramatic growth | Digital Features

[KJHburg]

this Escent building by Crescent looks great in University Research Park.

Escent Research Park

Today. 

[rancenc]

The new Marriott Hotel and Conference center on UNCC's campus has opened to the public.

https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/hotel-conference-center-opens-uncc-campus/EC3N2TGEOZGJTHYDEV5WRGM6MI/?fbclid=IwAR0SIe9ExrNh1e9Q00crJOGDkVB3W4DzYlLMCDX-WqJKjcuOcY-Wtt8UkDo

[KJHburg]

Planned mixed use district near new University area Top Golf going through a rezoning.

""Charlotte developer Cambridge Properties filed a rezoning petition this week for its roughly 40-acre site at University City and Ikea boulevards, near Belgate Shopping Center. The petition calls for a 150,000-square-foot office building or 150-room hotel, 350 apartments, structured parking, 20,000 square feet of car dealership-related business, and an additional 8,000 square feet of commercial space.  The first phase of the project includes a Topgolf facility — Charlotte's second — at 7199 MacFarland Blvd. Topgolf, which will serve as anchor for the project, is expected to open this summer, said Jay Priester, executive vice president at Cambridge.  To accommodate a portion of the site being rezoned to allow apartments, an onsite dealership will be consolidating a surface parking lot where it keeps vehicle inventory into a structured parking facility. That opens up the site for denser development, Priester said. The site is within a half-mile from the University City Station.""

here is general area information

University City Entertainment District | Cambridge Properties

Biz Journal article:  University City entertainment district anchored by Topgolf moving into next development phase - Charlotte Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

[nicholas]

What would the feasibility be of removing the I-85 Connector?  It's so close to the University City Blvd interchange, and I think the effectiveness of any sort of grid street network in that area will be severely hampered as long as the connector is there.

[KJHburg]

1 hour ago, nicholas said:

What would the feasibility be of removing the I-85 Connector?  It's so close to the University City Blvd interchange, and I think the effectiveness of any sort of grid street network in that area will be severely hampered as long as the connector is there.

after the state rebuilt it when I=85 was widening and built that bridge carrying traffic southbound to I-85 I would say it will not happen.  It is only a half interchange now only a northbound 85 exit and southbound entrance ramp. 

[ArchiCLT]

Just now, KJHburg said:

after the state rebuilt it when I=85 was widening and built that bridge carrying traffic southbound to I-85 I would say it will not happen.  It is only a half interchange now only a northbound 85 exit and southbound entrance ramp. 

Right, I don't see that ever happening. It takes an act of Congress to create a new interchange, and the NCDOT is not in the business of eliminating them. In my opinion, the more connectivity with I-85 the better, to lessen the congestion at the newer University City Blvd interchange. Other connectivity projects are taking place in the area, including the fairly-new University Pointe Blvd overpass. Another bridge over I-85 has been planned north of Harris Blvd.

On another note, I'd bet that most University City residents don't remember the previous highway-level interchanges at (1) US-29 and the I-85 connector and (2) US-29 and NC-49 before they were "downgraded" to signaled intersections. Here's a quick aerial history:

1993 - US-29 Connector with I-85, before NC-49 splits away from US-29

2004 - "City Blvd" Interchange and I-85 widening from 4 to 8 lanes

2012 - Preparing for the future LYNX Blue Line

2019 (currently available aerial)

[KJHburg]

Spin through the University Place area.  Shopping center is still standing the new Novel apartments have not started yet.  (this shopping center needs to come down quick as I saw some suspicious activity there)  the new apartments at the McCullough station look great.  Principal Financials new office looks good too. That renovation looks good.  Today. 

NOVEL University Place

Waters Edge at University Place - EBA-US.com

Edited May 20, 2021 by KJHburg

[SgtCampsalot]

On 4/22/2021 at 6:13 PM, theronhobbs said:

On another note, I'd bet that most University City residents don't remember the previous highway-level interchanges at (1) US-29 and the I-85 connector and (2) US-29 and NC-49 before they were "downgraded" to signaled intersections. Here's a quick aerial history:

 

It was the WORST. I was a UNCC student at the time. ^This image is just he regular street. It was designed like two highways converging.

People say the I-277 N Davidson St intersection is bad, but imagine blowing that scale up x10 and making all traffic already going strip-highway speeds. I gripped the wheel so hard every time I had to take that connector,.

 

And for those unfamiliar, it was in-effect a 1/4-mile highway strip INSTEAD of a regular N Tryon St kind of design. It made zero sense. If you wanted to go between NoDa and University City on N Tryon St you were forced onto this highway-level interval plopped in the middle.

Edited May 20, 2021 by SgtCampsalot

[Third Strike]

Topgolf in University, will open this Friday:

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/whats-in-store/article250461151.html?fbclid=IwAR25SuGOyzTd-Yfucbkb2meLu1kN19HYl2r2lPAG-qC4HSMroeF8FOSgYdI
 

[Firejudyrose]

Got some drone shots today around the University City Lynx Station. This area has filled in with tons of mid-rise apartments over the last 2 years with more on the way.

[KJHburg]

great photos. the area around the University City station completely changed.  This was almost a greenfield site as there were vast tracts of vacant land near this station or aging warehouse buildings.  

[CharlotteWkndBuzz]

Top Golf 2 is going to be great for that area.  Ikea was already a draw for ppl  from all over the state and this will help even further.  What's next for this entertainment district?  I remember reading a long time ago that the developer envisioned a brewery, movie theater, bowling alley, etc.  Everything sounds good to me but the movie theater lol (article in the CO "Theaters in Charlotte are disappearing").  Hopefully they can develop the lots near U-City light rail station too.  It's not that far of a walk from the station to Top Golf 2 and I think the thought of this being close to transit will be a draw for ppl vs having to drive to the other Top Golf 1. If I lived in Noda, Uptown, or South End, I'd probably take the light rail to U-City for Top Golf (knowing I didnt have to drive).  This is the first step in drawing ppl from these areas to U City.  Need to continue to make it a destination and build on that entertainment district concept.  

[KJHburg]

Also from Ashley Fahey from council meeting tonight this new project Tryon Park by Panorama Holdings.  They have done 2 apartment complexes in University area and the Ballantyne mixed used tower Panorama Tower.

""Heater references a proposed 1 million square feet of build-to-suit office development, Tryon Park, in University City, helmed by Panorama Holdings. Says she hopes it will be anchored by 5-acre public park that will be cornerstone of this development.""

 

Edited June 15, 2021 by KJHburg

[KJHburg]

More on the above from the Panorama Holdings website

Tryon Park
CURRENTLY PLAN&DESIGN

Tryon Park is a mixed-use development with over one million square feet of Class Super A corporate office space, expansive public park and corporate plaza, secured private parking, over 250,000 square feet of leasable retail space and over 200 corporate luxury hotel suites.   Located within Charlotte’s dynamic University City, the submarket had its most recent boost from the Light Rail expansion enhancing its accessibility to the major job centers from UNC Charlotte which has a $2.1B Annual Economic Impact. Furthermore, significant infrastructure improvements ($216M+ planned and under construction) will improve the area’s walkability with expanded sidewalks, pedestrian-friendly intersections, and public spaces. Tryon Park project sits at University City Blvd Light rail Station. The location serves as an important midpoint between UNC Charlotte and Uptown Charlotte, allowing the project to tap into a large swath of potential tenants.  We are committed to provide high-quality products bettering the living of our tenants. Live well. Work confidently. Play with abandon. 

Tryon Office Park | Panorama Holdings (panorama-holdings.com)

[Desert Power]

Where exactly is this?

[KJHburg]

10 hours ago, Desert Power said:

Where exactly is this?

I think it is near their apartments behind the University City station deck.  it said something like that on their webpage.  But not sure. 

[go_vertical]

What exactly is "Class Super A" office space? That is a new term for me.