10 developments that are shaping NoDa

• Multiple transformative projects are planned for the land across from NoDa’s main commercial stretch, over the rail tracks and along 36th Street.

Why it matters: Orange vests and cranes tell us a lot about how our city is growing. Development also creates new opportunities for businesses and strengthens the tax base.

Yes, but: Development in areas like NoDa often risks displacing longstanding residents and businesses.

Context: North Charlotte didn’t always have top-ranked restaurants, breweries and crafty vendors. It was quiet after the textile mills closed in the ’70s.

• By the ’90s, cheap rent drew in struggling artists. The arts scene boomed and embraced the historic buildings. It wasn’t long before the mainstream caught on — as did the nickname, NoDa — and it became the popular destination it is today.
• Developers are trying to make the best use of the abandoned mills and vacant lots. They’re capitalizing on the Blue Line extension, which opened through the neighborhood in 2018 and creates a convenient passage to Uptown, South End and beyond that renters are eager to live by.

What we’re watching: The most impactful developments in the NoDa area.

• Of note: These projects are listed in no particular order; this is not a ranking. Also, this list does not include every construction project underway in the NoDa area.

Queens Park Commons

While there are few details to share yet, we’re including Queens Park Commons because it may be one of the most transformative developments for the area. It will bring new life to a 15-plus acre stretch of industrial area parallel to NoDa’s commercial stretch.

• Queens Park Commons will comprise multiple mixed-use, multi-story buildings for offices and residences, with retail on the ground floors.

Who: Flywheel Group, the Charlotte developer behind the new Independent Picture House

Where: The 2800 block of North Tryon

Timeline: The development is in the design stage. Land development could start on the first phase, 10 acres, in early 2024.

The intrigue: “We are intending to push the boundaries of sustainability and really lean in to sustainable design,” Tony Kuhn, president of Flywheel Group, tells Axios. He says the retail experience will prioritize pedestrians, with parking either underground or off to the sides.

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Link Apartments NODA 36th

This mixed-use development encompasses three buildings — two residential with 534 apartments total and one 130,000-square-foot office building, with 11,000 square feet for retail.

• Residents and office workers will share a 566-space parking garage.

Who: Grubb Properties, the Charlotte developer behind the carless apartment complex in Seversville

Where: The former Herrin Ice property at 315 E. 36th St.

Timeline: The first phase, 292 apartments, should open by September. The second phase is also already under construction.

The intrigue: Artist Elizabeth Palmisano is creating a “landmark” mural called the NoDa Cloud Wall, which will span 23,000-plus square feet across three sides of the parking deck.

• She is collecting handwritten wishes at local spots to inscribe on the back of fabricated metal clouds.

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3100 N. Tryon St.

This mixed-use project will house 383 apartments and 27,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, including a 20,000-square-foot grocer and 7,000 square feet of accessory retail.

• Plus, there will be 557 parking spaces and a public plaza facing Amelie’s.

Who: Avery Hall

Where: 4.2 acres at 36th and North Tryon streets

Timeline: Construction is underway and will be complete in 2024.

The intrigue: Neighbors in NoDa have been clamoring for a new grocery store for years. This store will join only a handful of others — including Food Lion and Giant Penny — in the neighborhood.

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300 E. 36th St.

Another mixed-use building with 294 apartments, 345 parking spaces, 6,800 square feet of first-floor retail and a public plaza fronting 36th Street.

Who: Avery Hall

Where: 2.25 acres at 36th Street and Cullman Avenue

Timeline: Construction will finish in 2025.

The Pass

This three-phase, adaptive reuse project is unique in its proximity to the Sugar Creek Road overpass. Plans include more than 260,000 square feet of office and retail as well as 330-plus multi-family units.

Who: Atlanta-based developer Third & Urban

Where: 4100 and 4212 Raleigh Street, at Sugar Creek light rail station, on what used to be vacant land and old warehouse buildings

Timeline: The 80,000-square-foot first phase is expected to be ready this fall.

The intrigue: This will be the future home of Soul Gastrolounge. The beloved restaurant will reopen at The Pass this fall.

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Apartments at North Davidson and East 25th

This luxury multi-family development will be made up of 273 units and amenities, like a pool courtyard, fitness center, co-working space, parking deck and a rooftop sky lounge.

Who: Flournoy Development Group and Dallas-based real estate firm Rosewood Property Company

Where: About 2.3 acres at North Davidson and 25th streets

Timeline: Construction is underway. It’s expected to open this summer.

Centro NoDa

This 207-apartment complex will incorporate 11,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor.

Who: Centro Cityworks and Ascent Real Estate Capital

Where: 729 E. 36th

Timeline: The project will wrap up in early 2024, according to Ascent’s website.

The intrigue: The apartments will be 400 square feet or smaller, which should make them a more affordable option for renters who don’t need much space.

• The project is comparable to Centro Square in South End. Managing principal at Ascent Real Estate Capital Jon Dixon told Axios in September that the smallest units there lease the fastest.
• “I think people are just choosing to live in a smaller apartment, and they’re spending a lot of their time at the brewery, at the yoga studio, maybe at the coffee shop working,” he said.

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Prose NoDa

This 60-foot-tall, 302-unit apartment complex will come with all the amenities: two open courtyards and a “resort-style” pool, outdoor kitchen and grilling areas, a dog park, private co-working offices, a fitness center and a clubroom.

Who: Arizona developer Alliance Residential

Where: 3.5 acres at 120 Matheson Ave.

Timeline: The first units will be available in 2024.

NoDa Wandry

This $50-million project saves the historic Johnston Mill by turning it into apartments and retail.

• Across the repurposed mill and a new next-door building, there are 235 apartments, including 47 affordable units. Plus, there’s 2,800 square feet of retail, a leasing center and a co-working space.

Who: The Community Builders and FCP

Where: The new building is at 419 and 423 E. 36th St., and the former mill is at 3315 N. Davidson St.

Timeline: Construction is wrapping up, and the property is open and occupied.

The intrigue: The redevelopment incorporates original windows, historic exposed brick, wood ceilings and beams. A boiler room was converted into an outdoor lounge with a rooftop patio overlooking the pool.

• A “transit lounge” leads to the ramp toward the 36th Street light rail station.

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Inkwell

This will be a three-story building with 65 apartments, including penthouses. There are three storefronts on the ground floor, one of which will be a Greco Fresh Grille.

Who: Space Craft, the developer of Charlotte’s first zero-parking apartment building in Optimist Park

Address: 724 East 36th St.

Timeline: Construction will wrap up by July.

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