Construction webcam captures uptown lightning strike | Charlotte Observer

Most of the major developments in Charlotte have publicly accessible web cameras watching over them, snapping pictures to turn into hypnotic time-lapses that cover months or even years. But occasionally, an individual frame stands out.

That was the case last week, when the webcam pointed at 300 South Tryon and the Kimpton Hotel under construction uptown captured the moment a bolt of lightning struck during an early evening thunderstorm. The OxBlue webcam’s timing is even more impressive when you consider it only snaps one frame every 12 minutes.

The lighting bolt struck Aug. 2, at 6:09 p.m. Check out the webcam online here for a larger version of the photo and a time-lapse of construction so far.

Here are the details on the Kimpton and 300 South Tryon, which are being developed by Spectrum Properties:

▪ Kimpton: 217 rooms, totaling 17 stories. Completion is targeted for 2017.

▪ 300 South Tryon: 630,000 square feet, 26 stories, anchored by Babson Capital. Completion targeted for spring 2017.