Big River District project in west Charlotte kicks off with up to 2,300 new houses
The first phase of the 1,400-acre mixed-used River District project in west Charlotte is underway, starting with the construction of apartments and potentially 2,300 single-family homes.
Developer Crescent Communities said homebuilders David Weekley Homes, DRB Homes, Saussy Burbank, and Toll Brothers will be a part of the initial wave of single-family home construction. Crescent also announced that they have begun construction on a 317-unit apartment complex.
All of these plans are pushing forward the residential development in the once rural section of the city near Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
What is the River District?
On the west side of the airport and Interstate 485 near the Catawba River, 1,400 acres of mostly forested land began being looked at for redevelopment in about 2016. Now, the area is being transformed.
Crescent is planning mixed-use project that will ultimately bring around 5,000 homes, market rate and affordable apartments, millions of square feet of office space, half a million square feet of retail and 1,000 hotel rooms.
There’s also plans for a pavilion, playgrounds and a 2-acre working farm that will sell their product at a local market.
It’s the creation of a new neighborhood.
“This is not just a subdivision. If you move into this community, it’s a lifestyle that you’re also buying into,” said Rainer Ficken, Crescent’s senior managing director of The River District. “You’re just not driving home into your house, but you’re driving into your community… It’ll always have some type of activity.”
First steps for the River District
The River District will be completed in phases with the first step being the residential spaces in Westrow, thedistrict’s new neighborhood town center.
Hence the agreements with the four homebuilders. Ficken said Crescent will be developing about 267 lots that will then be sold to David Weekley Homes, DRB Homes, Saussy Burbank, and Toll Brothers. Ficken did not disclose the cost of those deals.
A portion of those lots will be developed by December. The builders will then begin construction of model homes set to be ready by the spring to show potential residents.
Ficken said four builders were selected to give new residents different housing options.
“There’ll be a couple sizes of town homes, but then also a couple of options related to detached, single-family as well,” Ficken said. “Working Saussy Burbank, DRB Homes, David Weekley Homes and Toll Brothers, we’ll have a great cross section of options for the consumer. That’s really the initial big push.”
Details on design elements weren’t immediately released. But with the lots and the zoning rights, the builders have the capacity to build about 2,300 single-family homes.
Then there’s Crescent’s project.
Ficken said Crescent has broken ground on Novel River District, a 318-unit, seven-building multifamily development. The units will be market rate and there will be an amenity building with a fitness center and pool. Ficken said full build-out of that project may be completed in about 18 to 24 months.
On the affordable housing side, Ficken said Crescent is working with developer Laurel Street Residential to create a mixed-income development. That building will be near the Novel complex and about 87 units will be available to those making 80% of the area median income or less. For a family of four, 80% AMI is about $84,800.
Ficken said closing on that site should happen by the end of the year.
Urban farm, commercial space and a grocer
Crescent is focused on the residential portion of the district project but commercial, retail and green space are still in the works, Ficken said.
The area was almost home to a $400 million tennis complex where the Western & Southern Open could have potentially played. But event organizers ultimately decided to stay in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area.
As the residential build-out occurs, Ficken said there will be construction of a playground, an event pavilion and an urban farm, which will be run by a professional farmer. Produce will be available for sale at the town’s center.
Crescent is also close to finishing infrastructure projects that include a four-lane extension of West Boulevard from I-485 to Dixie River Road. That roadway will also have bike lanes and pedestrian paths.
And as more people begin to call the area home, Crescent will begin chats with a potential grocer and other retail establishments. But those chats are for further down the road.
“We’re in full swing,” Ficken said.
This story was originally published August 12, 2024 at 5:50 AM.
