Local developer selected to develop Charlotte airport's "front door"
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Rendering: Crosland Southeast/courtesy of the City of Charlotte
Charlotte-based Crosland Southeast has been tasked with transforming Charlotte Douglas International Airport's "front door," a project known as CLT Destination District.
Why it matters: Change at CLT's "front door" means instead of seeing sprawling land as you head into the airport, you'll see retail and hotels.
State of play: The airport is currently negotiating exclusively with Crosland Southeast, as CBJ first reported, to develop Destination District Central, which encompasses 39 acres at the intersection of North Josh Birmingham Parkway and Wilkinson Boulevard.
- CLT Destination District, which was introduced in January, will ultimately entail around 90 acres. The additional 51 acres have been labeled Destination District East at the intersection of Stafford Drive and Wilkinson Boulevard.
- While it was considered for industrial use, it "is no longer included in the current project and is being evaluated for other uses," CLT said in a statement.
Catch up quick: Crosland Southeast's initial proposal, one of 10 submitted to the city earlier this year, called for 300 hotel rooms across two hotels, a brewery, retail, office space, rideshare operations, conference facilities, a gas station/convenience store, LYNX Silver Line station, pedestrian bridge and possible public art.
- It had a 5-7 year timeline for full project completion.
- It did not include industrial development like other proposal submissions.
- Plans for the development are not set in stone, but they aren't expected to include office space, a project spokesperson confirmed to Axios.
Between the lines: Crosland Southeast already has a relationship with the city, which operates CLT. The developer is leading the city's roughly $375 million redevelopment of the former Eastland Mall site in east Charlotte.
What they're saying: The airport describes the project as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine" its "front door."
- The goal is to generate revenue and activate the land with what CLT describes as "airport-compatible development and placemaking."
What's next: A deal needs to be finalized and submitted to Charlotte City Council before construction could begin. This should take place by the end of the year, per a CLT spokesperson.
