Here’s what we know about what will replace the Charlotte Observer building Uptown

This will surely be a massive amount of uses from retail, office, hotel and residential — it’ll likely run the gamut.

While some have expressed their displeasure in more Charlotte history being destroyed, I must argue that the loss of this building is not something we should lament. The building itself was a terrible use of the prime land, the conditions inside were deplorable and the building was near condemned. I do not believe this is a building that should’ve been saved, especially assuming what Lincoln Harris has up their sleeves for development will be incredible. And personally, I thought the building was ugly.

However, those plans (as opposed to most projects) are shrouded in mystery. Lincoln Harris has done an excellent job (or frustrating job, depending on your perspective) of keeping this one quiet. They didn’t even announce the Observer building was coming down on August 1.

All that said, rumors are beginning to fly around what their plans are and now we have way may be the first clue.

Before I continue, please note nothing is final until Lincoln Harris says it is and the overall project is still incredibly far away from being finished and is still in plan review.

Here’s what we know for sure.

A permit file has been opened for an office building on the Charlotte Observer building side of the site. Three files, actually.

The first calls for an office building. So we know that will be part of it. The other two call for a office building and “superstructure” and for a “core and shell.”

This thing is gonna be a monster.

Goodbye Observer Building.

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Here’s what we’re hearing

Beyond that, sources are saying that this piece of the project’s GIGANTIC puzzle (trust me, it will be much more than this) will be a 31 story, 1 million square foot office building.

I think it was always very obvious that this development would include office space. However, the height and size has me excited. Personally I think it will be great to see an incredibly tall, yet still smaller than Duke, building “anchor” the southern side of our skyline.

This office tower will likely be at the corner of Church and Stonewall, which makes sense because it leaves the Tryon frontage of the side wide open for the human scale (retail and such) components of the project. Office is a necessary addition to the Charlotte market, and while recent political activity has certainly put the brakes on growth, Charlotte is a still a desirable place for companies and the uptown market needs more new, top of the line and contiguous office space.

Here’s to hoping hear more details soon on this project. Can’t wait to see what Lincoln Harris has in store. They are always putting out quality projects and I have no doubts they will blow us away with this one.