Berewick breaks ground for new town center, Harris Teeter store

A Harris Teeter grocery store is coming to southwest Charlotte’s Berewick development as part of the $60 million initial phase of a new town center.

Peter Pappas, head of Pappas Properties, joined other officials Thursday in breaking ground for the new town center. Residential construction in the 1,200-acre Berewick community began about a decade ago, and residents have been waiting on the grocery store and other neighborhood amenities included in the master plan.

“As a resident since 2007, I can tell you that the homeowners in Berewick are ecstatic to have the town center underway,” said Dan Durant, a board member with the homeowners’ association.

Pappas said strong residential growth in the community, along with the opening of Charlotte Premium Outlets nearby, make now the right time to launch the town center. It will include a Walgreens, restaurants, a hotel, and shops, as well as the 53,000-square-foot Harris Teeter.

“The residential momentum in Berewick is very strong, and we see the momentum around Berewick as very strong,” he said. “Our timing is aligning very well.”

Pappas said he would have liked to move forward sooner, but Harris Teeter was engaged in merger discussions that led to its acquisition by Kroger earlier this year.

“You want to bring a project like this on when you have the right anchor, and Harris Teeter is absolutely the right anchor,” Pappas said.

He said Berewick has about 1,250 houses, but that number is growing. Homebuilders Lennar, D.R. Horton and Ryan are building more homes, while a new section of home sites is being developed for Eastwood. Mattamy Homes is grading for about 110 townhouses.

Pappas said he also has an apartment site under contract, which he expects to close in December.

The Harris Teeter is expected to open in May 2016, Pappas said. Phase II will include medical, office and residential offerings as well as more retail space.

Shook Kelley and LandDesign are handling architecture and engineering services on the project; Shelco is the general contractor.

This story was originally published November 6, 2014 at 4:07 PM with the headline "Berewick breaks ground for new town center, Harris Teeter store."