State of the Center City
2024
Charlotte’s Vibrant Nexus
Join Charlotte’s vibrant nexus of talent and opportunity
Photo by Todd Mason Photography
2023 Charlotte SHOUT! on The Green in Uptown
Photo by Bobby Whitmire
What’s inside 4
Talent
36
Mobility
12
Development
42
Outdoors
18
Work
46
Experience
28
Living
50
Regional Map
32
Hospitality
52
Acknowledgments
Join Charlotte’s vibrant nexus of talent and opportunity
Photo by Todd Mason Photography
2023 Charlotte SHOUT! on The Green in Uptown
Photo by Bobby Whitmire
What’s inside 4
Talent
36
Mobility
12
Development
42
Outdoors
18
Work
46
Experience
28
Living
50
Regional Map
32
Hospitality
52
Acknowledgments
85
Charlotte Center City
University Park
J.T. Williams
Lincoln Heights
Charlotte Center City has responded to the challenges of the past months by attracting top-tier talent, building modern urban housing, adapting and creating dynamic workplaces, and growing its appeal to visitors.
Druid Hills North
Oakview Terrace Washington Heights Lakewood
Sugar Creek
Oaklawn Park
Double Oaks
McCorey Heights
85
Downtowns throughout the world have been stress-tested with pandemic lockdowns, protests, altered workplace rhythms, and higher funding costs. These disruptions are shaping and informing the next chapter for Charlotte Center City. These challenges are catalyzing needed adaptations from our Central Business District (CBD) into a more balanced and complete Central Activity District. Charlotte has earned top ten recognitions for best places to live in the U.S., most diverse cities, and a place where working professionals most want to be. Education, healthcare, arts/culture, housing affordability, safety, commute times, and the environment are all critical factors for talent and top-tier cities. These accolades are safe harbors within the rough seas of 2023 for our beloved CBD.
Druid Hills South Tryon Hills
Smallwood
Enderly Park
Greenville
Biddleville
Michael Smith
Seversville Ashley Park
The consistent influx of aspiring talent joining a mix of economic, social, and cultural opportunities is enhancing quality of life, fostering business innovation, and creating a vibrant nexus in Charlotte Center City.
North Charlotte
Lockwood
UPTOWN Optimist Park
FOURTH WARD
Wesley Heights
Charlotte Center City Partners President & CEO
Villa Heights Plaza Hills
2 Miles
Bryant Park Westover Hills Wilmore
FIRST WARD
SOUTH END
3 Miles
Belmont
Plaza Midwood
SECOND WARD 74
MIDTOWN
Revolution Park
Even during these challenging times for CBDs, progress is being made in Charlotte. The numbers of people working from Uptown and South End have increased throughout 2023 to 78% of pre-pandemic levels. There is $4.2 billion of new development under construction and forecasted to break ground in the next two years. South End is maintaining its positive absorption of office space. Duke Energy’s new headquarters opened in Uptown with engaging ground floor retail. Center City added more than 60 new shops and restaurants, including the Monarch Market. The Pearl’s groundbreaking in Midtown is ushering in a new era with the city’s first four-year medical school. And the Iron District and North Tryon District Tech Hub are positioning Center City with unrivaled development opportunities attracting institutional investors across multiple development cycles.
1 Mile
THIRD WARD
Brookhill
The growth in hospitality has played a significant role in rebalancing our CBD. The capacity crowds for sports and concerts at Bank of America Stadium and Spectrum Center generated all of Uptown’s top 10 days for the highest number of visits. The ecosystem of small businesses and diverse cultural events in museums and theaters, on Tryon Street and the Rail Trail, and throughout Uptown and South End neighborhood parks have been critical contributors to enriching people’s lives.
Commonwealth Elizabeth
Dilworth
Chantilly
Cherry
Coliseum Drive
Southside Park
Bill Rogers 74 Area For purposes of this document, Center City Partners’ Service refers to a combination of:
Eastover Sedgefield
• Uptown (Charlotte’s Central Business District — CBD)
Myers Park
Truist Financial Corporation Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
As we reflect on this year’s insights, it is clear we are uniquely well positioned to weather this storm and prepare for the opportunities of the next cycle. This is a rare and defining moment in our city’s history. Join us in rising to these challenges and opportunities with shared vision and collective action to adapt and persevere.
• South End • Midtown
Park Road/ Freedom Park
Charlotte continues to prioritize the creation of complete urban neighborhoods, planning efforts for enhanced mobility options, partnering between public and private sectors to work on our greatest societal challenges, and investments in new infrastructure and transformative sites to best position Center City for tomorrow’s vibrancy.
The term Center City refers to the ‘2 Mile Ring’ or the neighborhoods within 2 miles of “The Square” at Trade and Tryon streets. Blue Line Light Rail
Gold Line Streetcar
Charlotte Center City Partners Board Chairman
Silver Line Light Rail (planned)
3
85
Charlotte Center City
University Park
J.T. Williams
Lincoln Heights
Charlotte Center City has responded to the challenges of the past months by attracting top-tier talent, building modern urban housing, adapting and creating dynamic workplaces, and growing its appeal to visitors.
Druid Hills North
Oakview Terrace Washington Heights Lakewood
Sugar Creek
Oaklawn Park
Double Oaks
McCorey Heights
85
Downtowns throughout the world have been stress-tested with pandemic lockdowns, protests, altered workplace rhythms, and higher funding costs. These disruptions are shaping and informing the next chapter for Charlotte Center City. These challenges are catalyzing needed adaptations from our Central Business District (CBD) into a more balanced and complete Central Activity District. Charlotte has earned top ten recognitions for best places to live in the U.S., most diverse cities, and a place where working professionals most want to be. Education, healthcare, arts/culture, housing affordability, safety, commute times, and the environment are all critical factors for talent and top-tier cities. These accolades are safe harbors within the rough seas of 2023 for our beloved CBD.
Druid Hills South Tryon Hills
Smallwood
Enderly Park
Greenville
Biddleville
Michael Smith
Seversville Ashley Park
The consistent influx of aspiring talent joining a mix of economic, social, and cultural opportunities is enhancing quality of life, fostering business innovation, and creating a vibrant nexus in Charlotte Center City.
North Charlotte
Lockwood
UPTOWN Optimist Park
FOURTH WARD
Wesley Heights
Charlotte Center City Partners President & CEO
Villa Heights Plaza Hills
2 Miles
Bryant Park Westover Hills Wilmore
FIRST WARD
SOUTH END
3 Miles
Belmont
Plaza Midwood
SECOND WARD 74
MIDTOWN
Revolution Park
Even during these challenging times for CBDs, progress is being made in Charlotte. The numbers of people working from Uptown and South End have increased throughout 2023 to 78% of pre-pandemic levels. There is $4.2 billion of new development under construction and forecasted to break ground in the next two years. South End is maintaining its positive absorption of office space. Duke Energy’s new headquarters opened in Uptown with engaging ground floor retail. Center City added more than 60 new shops and restaurants, including the Monarch Market. The Pearl’s groundbreaking in Midtown is ushering in a new era with the city’s first four-year medical school. And the Iron District and North Tryon District Tech Hub are positioning Center City with unrivaled development opportunities attracting institutional investors across multiple development cycles.
1 Mile
THIRD WARD
Brookhill
The growth in hospitality has played a significant role in rebalancing our CBD. The capacity crowds for sports and concerts at Bank of America Stadium and Spectrum Center generated all of Uptown’s top 10 days for the highest number of visits. The ecosystem of small businesses and diverse cultural events in museums and theaters, on Tryon Street and the Rail Trail, and throughout Uptown and South End neighborhood parks have been critical contributors to enriching people’s lives.
Commonwealth Elizabeth
Dilworth
Chantilly
Cherry
Coliseum Drive
Southside Park
Bill Rogers 74 Area For purposes of this document, Center City Partners’ Service refers to a combination of:
Eastover Sedgefield
• Uptown (Charlotte’s Central Business District — CBD)
Myers Park
Truist Financial Corporation Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
As we reflect on this year’s insights, it is clear we are uniquely well positioned to weather this storm and prepare for the opportunities of the next cycle. This is a rare and defining moment in our city’s history. Join us in rising to these challenges and opportunities with shared vision and collective action to adapt and persevere.
• South End • Midtown
Park Road/ Freedom Park
Charlotte continues to prioritize the creation of complete urban neighborhoods, planning efforts for enhanced mobility options, partnering between public and private sectors to work on our greatest societal challenges, and investments in new infrastructure and transformative sites to best position Center City for tomorrow’s vibrancy.
The term Center City refers to the ‘2 Mile Ring’ or the neighborhoods within 2 miles of “The Square” at Trade and Tryon streets. Blue Line Light Rail
Gold Line Streetcar
Charlotte Center City Partners Board Chairman
Silver Line Light Rail (planned)
3
Section sponsored by
Even amid a year impacted by economic headwinds associated with office utilization changes, coupled with tightened monetary policies, Center City continues to make investments in infrastructure and transformative sites to prepare for the next development cycle and tomorrow’s vibrancy.
Duke Energy employees started moving into the company’s new headquarters in January 2023.
Photo by Patrick Schneider
DEVELOPMENT Development by decade Space for 40,200 new workers
Office
The portfolio of space being constructed, renovated with Class-A amenities, and planned for the future of work, retail, living, and hospitality will best position Center City for multiple development cycles.
4,622,000
4,453,000
5,271,000
7,700,000
8,040,000 Space for 46 new shops/restaurants
Retail
140,000
315,000
1,132,000
863,000
404,000
Space for 943,800 overnight visitors
Hotel rooms
1,300
200
1,500
1,800
2,600
Space for 16,160 new residents
12 2024 State of the Center City
Photo by Myles Gelbach
Residential
400
1980-1989
1,000
1990-1999
8,200
2000-2009
2010-2019
13,000
10,100
2020-2023 including under construction projects
CoStar, STR, CRVA, CCCP 2023
Development 13
Section sponsored by
Even amid a year impacted by economic headwinds associated with office utilization changes, coupled with tightened monetary policies, Center City continues to make investments in infrastructure and transformative sites to prepare for the next development cycle and tomorrow’s vibrancy.
Duke Energy employees started moving into the company’s new headquarters in January 2023.
Photo by Patrick Schneider
DEVELOPMENT Development by decade Space for 40,200 new workers
Office
The portfolio of space being constructed, renovated with Class-A amenities, and planned for the future of work, retail, living, and hospitality will best position Center City for multiple development cycles.
4,622,000
4,453,000
5,271,000
7,700,000
8,040,000 Space for 46 new shops/restaurants
Retail
140,000
315,000
1,132,000
863,000
404,000
Space for 943,800 overnight visitors
Hotel rooms
1,300
200
1,500
1,800
2,600
Space for 16,160 new residents
12 2024 State of the Center City
Photo by Myles Gelbach
Residential
400
1980-1989
1,000
1990-1999
8,200
2000-2009
2010-2019
13,000
10,100
2020-2023 including under construction projects
CoStar, STR, CRVA, CCCP 2023
Development 13
69,000+
LIVING
Local architect and artist, David Furman, created the “Chair Monster” sculpture in First Ward Park in 2023. The 60-foot-long mystical monster is made of 100 chairs and lives beside the Rail Trail and The Ellis apartment building in Uptown. This Rail Trail project was made possible by the generous support of U.S. Bank, Centro Cityworks, and Levine Properties.
Center City has 69,000+ residents, with more moving here everyday
$364,200
Center City is a collection of distinct neighborhoods filled with a variety of housing choices that are stitched together with walkable, bikeable, and convenient transit options.
The median home price for the Charlotte metro area in 2023 was $364,200
28,300+ There are 28,300+ apartment homes in Center City, and the average market rent per unit is $1,840
These various methods through Uptown and South End are lined with a mix of economic, social, and cultural amenities.
180+ 180+ public and charter elementary, middle, and high schools in Charlotte as well as 120+ private schools, along with 400+ daycare centers and preschools
Photo by Collin Mairena
Center City is the Charlotte region’s largest employment node, most compact art and cultural cluster, and densest sport and concert hub all within walking distance of one another. This combination of assets coupled with grocery stores, restaurants, night spots, and new housing has led to the continued growth of a diverse, young, and well-educated residential population.
O P P O S I T E PA G E
Camden Commons, presented by Lowe’s, transformed South End’s main street into an outdoor living room in 2023. Photo by Collin Mairena
Living 29
69,000+
LIVING
Local architect and artist, David Furman, created the “Chair Monster” sculpture in First Ward Park in 2023. The 60-foot-long mystical monster is made of 100 chairs and lives beside the Rail Trail and The Ellis apartment building in Uptown. This Rail Trail project was made possible by the generous support of U.S. Bank, Centro Cityworks, and Levine Properties.
Center City has 69,000+ residents, with more moving here everyday
$364,200
Center City is a collection of distinct neighborhoods filled with a variety of housing choices that are stitched together with walkable, bikeable, and convenient transit options.
The median home price for the Charlotte metro area in 2023 was $364,200
28,300+ There are 28,300+ apartment homes in Center City, and the average market rent per unit is $1,840
These various methods through Uptown and South End are lined with a mix of economic, social, and cultural amenities.
180+ 180+ public and charter elementary, middle, and high schools in Charlotte as well as 120+ private schools, along with 400+ daycare centers and preschools
Photo by Collin Mairena
Center City is the Charlotte region’s largest employment node, most compact art and cultural cluster, and densest sport and concert hub all within walking distance of one another. This combination of assets coupled with grocery stores, restaurants, night spots, and new housing has led to the continued growth of a diverse, young, and well-educated residential population.
O P P O S I T E PA G E
Camden Commons, presented by Lowe’s, transformed South End’s main street into an outdoor living room in 2023. Photo by Collin Mairena
Living 29
Join Charlotte’s vibrant nexus of talent and opportunity
200 South Tryon Street, Suite 1600 Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 charlottecentercity.org