Chris Hemans, Director of Retail with Charlotte Center City Partners, recently hosted a Segway tour in which the latest additions to the Uptown retail scene were revealed to three Charlotte area retail brokers. Robbie Branstrom and Keely Hines with MPV Properties, along with Sara Hogan with Lincoln Harris attended; Rod Bauguss with Charlotte NC Tours (www.CharlotteNCTours.com) lead the tour.
The tour began at Skyhouse Apartments located within the Bank of America Plaza, where Dowell Finch with New South Properties showed the group ground level retail spaces then the luxury amenities available with the roof-top apartments, including the panoramic views.
The tour then moved south to First Ward where Hemans explained Lennar’s proposed plans to develop “Market Street” which will run along the light rail between 8th and 9th Streets, across from the new UNCC School of Real Estate and next to 7th Street Market.
Next, up 9th Street to Fourth Ward the group delved into the most historical part of the tour, including historical housing and Fourth Ward Park, which is considered the hidden gem of the Queen City. Alexander Michael’s neighborhood bar/restaurant, founded in 1983, is still considered the ‘baby’ of the ward.
Along Cedar Street next to the Panther’s practice fields in Third Ward, the group visited two unique retailers. Blair Potts with Potts Chocolate (www.pottschocolate.com) hosted a private tasting with one-of-a-kind chocolates created from raw cacao beans sourced from Madagascar, Venezuela and Belize. Next, Stan Fraser demonstrated how handmade custom denim apparel at Straight Stitch & Co. (www.anarkejeans.com) is made in his rustic retail showroom.
A brief photo shoot in front of Bank of America Stadium was followed by the inside scoop from Sara Hogan on Lincoln Harris’ and Goldman Sachs’ plans for the redevelopment of the former Charlotte Observer site, which will include a 30-story office tower surrounded by ground level retail and a hotel and parking garage for the first phase of the mega-development.
Ground level retail opportunities are also coming available at The Mint and The Ascent, two of the newer apartment buildings uptown. Haymaker, a new restaurant and bar recently announced for The Ascent will open directly across from Romare Bearden Park and BB&T Ballpark. The group was also able to preview The House of Lemond (www.thehouseoflemond.com) at 112 West Fourth Street before its grand opening next week. LeMond Hart is expanding his business to Uptown after doing well in NoDa selling men’s casual and business attire. Alpha Male Nail Care Services (www.alphamalenailcare.com) will also operate out of his new location.
The second to last stop of the tour was 300 S. Brevard, where Robbie Branstom and Keely Hines of MPV Properties handle the retail leasing of the newly renovated office tower for Stream Realty. They are currently negotiating deals with a local restaurant and bar for approximately 7,000 square feet, as well as a pizza restaurant, a coffee bar, a juice bar and a yoga studio.
The Segway tour concluded at Sophia’s Lounge, the new cocktail lounge at the base of Ivey’s Hotel. The sophisticated New York style lounge offers craft cocktails and food, provided by its next-door neighbor, 5 Church.
Cover Image (from L to R): Robbie Branstrom, MPV; Keely Hines, MPV; Chris Hemmans, Charlotte Center City Partners; Sara Hogan, Lincoln Harris
