Food and Drink

Construction set to begin on new dining, entertainment at South End arts hub

A longtime arts hub in South End is about to get a facelift.

Construction is set to begin in the coming days at Dilworth Artisan Station, marking the next phase in a redevelopment plan that will introduce new food, beverage and entertainment offerings while preserving the site’s creative core.

Dilworth Artisan Station is a historic mixed-use arts campus that houses working artist studios, galleries and creative businesses.

The 1900s-era building has been part of the city for more than a century, previously serving industrial uses including a furniture factory, textile mill and an automobile storage facility for soldiers’ cars during World War II before becoming an arts destination.

One tenant already on-site is Canopy Cocktails & Garden, a cocktail bar and lounge that serves craft cocktails, wine and small plates and hosts live music and community events within the complex.

Canopy Cocktails & Garden is a cocktail bar located in South End Charlotte.
Canopy Cocktails & Garden is a cocktail bar located in South End Charlotte. Melissa Oyler CharlotteFive

According to a news release emailed to CharlotteFive, the new ground-floor concepts will be operated by Hibernian Hospitality and are intended to bring additional energy and public activity to the historic property.

The more than 20 existing artist studios will remain in place during construction, and signature community events like the monthly First Friday Gallery Crawl will continue uninterrupted, the release says.

Developer White Point described the project as an effort to build on the property’s identity as a creative gathering place while expanding its role as a day-to-night destination.

“For decades, this has been a place where creativity, craftsmanship and community come together,” said partner Justin Trowbridge, noting that the goal is to add new experiences without disrupting the artist community.

During construction, parking will shift from the Rail Trail surface lot to the nearby garage at The Kingston, with the project team emphasizing continued access and minimal disruption for tenants and visitors.

Additional details on the new concepts are expected to be released in the coming months.

Dilworth Artisan Station is a historic mixed-use arts campus that houses working artist studios, galleries and creative businesses.
Dilworth Artisan Station is a historic mixed-use arts campus that houses working artist studios, galleries and creative businesses. Courtesy of Hibernian Hospitality

Dilworth Artisan Station

Location: 118 E Kingston Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203

Instagram: @dilworthartisanstation

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Dilworth Artisan Station is a historic mixed-use arts campus that houses working artist studios, galleries and creative businesses.
Dilworth Artisan Station is a historic mixed-use arts campus that houses working artist studios, galleries and creative businesses. Melissa Oyler CharlotteFive
Evan Moore
The Charlotte Observer
Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.
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