Your guide to what’s coming to South End—from The Railyard to The Design Center
Speckled with restaurants, breweries, and shops, it’s curious to think that South End first garnered attention for its role in the Gold Rush. An early mill town, the area grew in population when the railroad came to Charlotte, but turned into a vacant wasteland when the cotton mills moved out.
Years later, South End’s striking revitalization brought apartments, eateries, and the ever-popular Rail Trail to space just outside the city, and several large-scale developments will continue to give the area fuel to flourish.
With all the new development popping up along the South End corridor, it can be difficult to keep track of what’s coming next. We’re here to help:
The RailYard
The RailYard, two 160,000-square-foot office buildings separated by a courtyard, will add to the South End skyline. The project, developed by Beacon Partners, will include 30,000 square feet of shops and restaurants, 100 residential units including four stories of “unique, studio loft-style micro units” and a rooftop park.
Courtyard dining will become the norm at Rhino Market. The first official retail tenant of the RailYard, Rhino Market has leased a 3,100-square-foot space in the Grand Central section (the lobby) as well as the Yard, an outdoor space where tenants can enjoy a deli sandwich in the fresh air.
[Related: Rhino Market is coming to South End, plus other updates on The RailYard mixed-use project]
“There will be a couple unique things about this Rhino location which will give it a Rhino feel with a modern big city vibe,” Rhino Market owner Rob Rondelez said in a statement.
Three additional restaurants and a coffee shop will inhabit the Grand Central space as well.
Big-name tenants will occupy the fourth and sixth floors. Ernst & Young LLP (EY) will lease the fourth floor as well as part of the fifth for their wavespace™ growth and innovation centers, featuring collaborative workspaces, tech labs, and a design studio to help clients navigate the next wave of technology. WeWork signed a lease for two floors, Slalom Consulting, LLC will inhabit the sixth floor, and Allstate signed as a tenant as well.
Looking ahead: The RailYard will also feature a 2,500-square-foot fitness center, 100 covered bike lockers, two rooftop Sky Terraces, and a special Uber/Lyft drop off area.
The Design Center
The Design Center of the Carolinas is having a moment. Superica, an Atlanta-based tex-mex chain, and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, founded by James Beard award-winning cookbook author Jeni Britton, continue to lure foot traffic to the space.
[Related: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams opens in South End Aug. 9. Here’s what you should order.]
Asian street food and shareable plates add another unique dining option at Hawkers. Named for the street vendors — “hawkers” — that use locally-grown ingredients in their dishes, the Orlando-based chain will offer family recipes in an eclectic space reminiscent of an Asian street food experience. The newest tenant of Design Center opened February 13. Here’s what to order.
[Related: From Bulgogi Beef Skewers to Jo-Hē Bag O’ Donuts, here’s what to order at Hawkers]
Over 400 wines and small plates will draw a crowd at Barcelona Wine Bar. Situated next to Superica, the restaurant offers one of the largest Spanish wine programs in the U.S., serving 40 wines by the glass. Bold Spanish and Mediterranean flavors color handcrafted tapas, prepared with ingredients from local markets.
[Related: Your ultimate guide to Barcelona Wine Bar—now open in South End]
Step up date night with a unique experience at The Candle Bar. The Nashville concept opened on Camden Road around the holiday season, and has since garnered a myriad of local attention. Ready to create your own masterpiece? Choose a vessel and a fragrance, pour, and tour walkable SouthEnd while it sets. $35/person.
Camden Road
Farm-fresh ingredients will breathe new life into the former Phat Burrito building when Flower Child opens. Salads, grains, and wraps will color the menu, with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. To activate the Rail Trail, the parking adjacent to the space will be repurposed into a patio, so visitors can enjoy a bite outdoors.
A 282,000-square-foot glass office building will change the South End skyline when Dimensional Place is complete. The space, formerly home to the Common Market, will include three retail spaces with new-to-market national restaurants and well-known local operators. It’s expected to be the “go-to” place for residents of South End and nearby neighborhoods.
This story was originally published February 19, 2019 at 9:03 PM with the headline "Your guide to what’s coming to South End—from The Railyard to The Design Center."