New look at $20 million Birkdale Village renovation, as more shops prepare to open

As people lounge in new seating on the freshly laid lawn of The Grove at Huntersville’s Birkdale Village, the intrusive sounds of construction machines and work crews is ongoing. It’s all part of a massive $20 million renovation to refashion the site as an outdoor entertainment destination.

The 250,000-square-foot retail center is adding an outdoor stage, greenspace and retail kiosks.

Even with construction ongoing, two retailers out of Mooresville will open Monday: Cosmo Gypsy, bohemian women’s apparel, and Beck on Broad, women’s clothing and accessories, plus housewares, Birkdale Village manager Maureen Smith told The Charlotte Observer on Friday.

Real estate property owner North American Properties, based in Ohio, said the Birkdale Village project is about creating a gathering space with “walkability and connectivity.”

“We wanted to give it an elevated look and experience,” Smith said.

Construction began in January, and Smith said it is expected to wrap up by late August or early September.

Birkdale Village’s website offers live-streamed video and time lapses of construction of parts of the project, along with a photo timeline of the redevelopment progress.

Changes at Birkdale Village

Here’s what to expect:

▪ The Plaza is a 6,000-square-foot shaded greenspace with a covered steel-and-wood framed stage, and the focal point of the center. The stage is built around two trees and includes a 10-by-18-foot LED screen for showing movies or sporting events. The stage also will be used for weekly events like yoga and Friday live music, as well as larger events in the fall.

▪ The Parkway has three standalone “jewel boxes” that are floor-to-ceiling 1,200-square-foot buildings. The spaces are for retail and food and beverage. One of the buildings has a rooftop space.

▪ The Grove has four “mid-century” design “tiny” retail kiosks for merchandise and food vendors. That work was completed this month, where Cosmo Gypsy and Beck on Broad are opening. Smith said the spaces are about 250 square feet. And last month, The Grove lawn reopened with new seating that includes tables and chairs for children and a fire pit.

▪ The concierge booth behind the stage will offer valet services and public restrooms. It will be staffed full time with a manager and four workers, Smith said. The offerings also include setting up restaurant reservation and helping to plan parties and outings. “Anything we an do to help our guests with planning,” Smith said.

▪ The former splash pad area is being revamped into a large fountain. It’s expected to open at the end of August. In the center of Birkdale Village, connecting The Plaza and The Grove, seating around the fountain will be added. “It’s going to be completely different than before, with an interactive water feature,” Smith said.

▪ Other renovations: Four parking deck entries are receiving updates with new lights, plus there’s new landscaping, digital directories that were installed at the end of June offering direction and highlighting events. There’s also a community garden behind Haven residential property with flowers and vegetables.

More about Birkdale Village

Birkdale Village, which opened in 2003, has more than 60 stores and restaurants including Barnes & Noble, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Regal Cinemas and Total Wine & More.

Birkdale Village also has 320 apartments and 50,000 square feet of office space. The clubhouse recently underwent a major renovation, adding connection to the pool, an indoor space with a beverage station and fitness area with equipment including Peleton bikes and treadmills and Mirror by Lululemon.

The center also has retailers including Apricot Lane, Brown BagSeafood Co., Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop, Girl Supply, Green Brothers Juice Co., Kendra Scott, Lovesac and Sephora. Longtime tenant Brixx, Savory Spice and eeZ Fusion & Sushi also have renovations and expansion plans, according to North American Properties.

North American Properties is a privately held, multi-regional real estate company based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and manages more than $7 billion in properties across U.S.

This story was originally published July 18, 2022 at 5:55 AM.