Here’s what it’s probably going to look like on 7th Street in Elizabeth

THIS is how you build an apartment complex.

Retail all along 7th Street including hardscaping and an inviting sidewalk, a beautiful flatiron (see: Flatiron Building in NYC) style corner, brick throughout, no stucco/beige/hardiplank and gorgeous roof elements. All these things come together to make this far and away the best looking, designed and fully realized apartment complex Charlotte has ever seen.

It is urban in every sense of the word. Pedestrians are invited to it, residents will be welcomed in it. The reasons why this works are the reasons why so many other apartments in Charlotte fail.

Sure, many are upset over the loss of Jackalope Jack’s and the dog bar/P-Stone but if something has to replace it, this is it.

Kudos to Faison who took so much heat in the beginning to blow away all expectations. This is getting universal praise and deservedly so. We have to strive for better development and if this is any indication, developers are taking note of our voices to make a better Charlotte.

Let’s take a look at the newly proposed plans for 7th Street in Elizabeth

All images courtesy of Faison and BHM Architects