Uptown Charlotte office tower conversion to luxury apartments moves forward
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Rendering courtesy of MRP Realty
Demolition begins next month at the old Duke Energy headquarters on South Church Street, kicking off its transformation into luxury apartments and lively retail.
Why it matters: The $250 million Brooklyn & Church project is Charlotte's first office-to-mixed-use conversion, a major shift as 24.6% of the city's office space sits vacant.
The latest: Developers MRP Realty and Charlotte-based firm Asana Partners, in collaboration with Rockefeller Group, have secured construction financing and begun decommissioning utilities in the 1970s building.
- The redevelopment is expected to be completed in late 2026 or early 2027.
Zoom in: The 13-story tower's core and shell will be preserved. The façade will get a refresh with new windows and "larger-than-market-standard balconies," a press release describes.
- The 460 luxury apartments will be loft-style, with nearly 14-foot exposed ceilings.
- Plans also include 57,000 square feet of retail, including a new three-story, 30,000-square-foot building at the corner of Church Street and Brooklyn Village Avenue.
- A 60-foot walkway will improve walkability, breaking up the buildings and creating a more pedestrian-friendly design.
The big picture: Brooklyn & Church is anticipated to renew energy in its prominent corner near Bank of America Stadium.
Catch up quick: Developers attempted to seek tax incentives from the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County to execute their vision but were unsuccessful. The project is moving forward regardless.
- Meanwhile, organizations such as Charlotte Center City Partners continue to study ways to entice other investors to repurpose Charlotte's aging, underoccupied office buildings.
- If these assets fall in value, the burden may fall on residential property owners to make up for lost property tax revenue.