Chantilly neighborhood guide: charming homes, a bird sanctuary, restaurants
Welcome to Chantilly, nestled between the Plaza Midwood and Elizabeth neighborhoods east of Uptown.
Comprising just a few blocks between the two bustling neighborhood hubs, if you blink, you might miss it. The small, wedge-shaped residential neighborhood is known for charming bungalows, but homes in the quiet neighborhood often come with a high price tag.
Chantilly’s beginnings
The neighborhood was first conceived on paper in the 1920’s but remained largely undeveloped until after the second World War, according to Charlotte historian, Tom Hanchett.
Its original footprint included parts of what is currently Plaza Midwood, around Commonwealth Ave. It was founded as one of Charlotte’s “streetcar suburbs,” along with areas like Plaza Midwood, Wilmore and Wesley Heights. Today, these one-time “suburbs” are situated in the heart of the city.
Independence Boulevard bisected the neighborhood in the early 1950’s.
“Since the 1990s, partly due to the creation of the berm along widened Independence Boulevard, it has become a very desirable place and many ordinal dwellings have been demolished and rebuilt,” Hanchett told The Charlotte Observer.
Median priced single-family home
About $989,000, according to real estate search platform Rocket Homes.
Apartment Rents
The median rental price in Chantilly is $2,054 per month, according to Zillow.com, though that includes rentals of all sizes.
For a one-bedroom, the median rent in Chantilly is $1,689 per month, according to Rentable.com.
Who lives in Chantilly
Chantilly has a total population of around 1,530, with a median age of 37 years old, according to Niche.com. The median household income is around $200,000.
It’s around 88% white, 6% Asian, 5% Hispanic and 1% Black, according to Niche.
Restaurants
Cheat’s Cheesesteaks, 913 Pecan Ave. - Philly transplants, rejoice. This walk-up sandwich joint opened at its flagship brick-and-mortar location in Chantilly in 2022, after doing pop-up events around Charlotte for two years. Go classic or try a variety of twists on the standard cheesesteak, including vegan options. Add-on fries or wings if you’re feeling crazy.
Lupie’s Cafe, 2718 Monroe Rd. - This is a go-to for diner-style comfort food. Grab a burger, BLT, mac and cheese or chicken and dumplings, if it’s Thursday. It also has four different kinds of chili, including Texas and Cincinnati varieties.
Villani’s Bakery, 901 Pecan Ave. - This New York-Italian bakery serves up fresh cakes, cannolis, croissants, macarons, muffins and scones galore, made fresh each day. It also makes a mean cup of coffee. Though it’s pint-sized (outdoor seating is limited and indoor seating is nonexistent), it’s the perfect place to pop in for a sweet treat.
Chantilly is largely residential, but it makes up just a few blocks between Elizabeth and Plaza Midwood, which each have a wealth of dining options. Check those neighborhood entries out, too, if you’re thinking of residing in Chantilly and looking for some good eats close by.
Schools
Chantilly Montessori School, 701 Briar Creek Road
Oakhurst STEAM Academy, 4511 Monroe Road
Piedmont Middle School, 1241 East 10th St.
Eastway Middle School, 1501 Norland Road
Garinger High School, 1100 Eastway Drive
Central Piedmont Early College, 1228 Elizabeth Ave.
Myers Park High School, 2400 Colony Road
Houses of worship
Churches in Chantilly (and nearby) include:
Watershed Charlotte, 2101 Shenandoah Ave.
City Church Charlotte, 2300 McClintock Road
Commonwealth United Methodist Church, 2434 Commonwealth Ave.
Iglesia de Dios Agua Viva, 2726 Chesterfield Ave.
Resurrection Church, 2940 Commonwealth Ave.
Other houses of worship nearby:
Al-Zahra Islamic Center of Charlotte, 5227 Monroe Road
Islamic Center of Charlotte, 1700 Progress Lane
Parks
Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary, 2656 Laburnum Ave. - This sanctuary consists of roughly 24 acres of wetlands, grasslands and forest. Visitors often spot butterflies or some of the 160 species of birds that live there.
Chantilly Park, 222 Wyanoke Ave.
City Council/District representative
Chantilly is located in Charlotte City Council District 1, represented by Danté Anderson, a Democrat.
It’s represented in the North Carolina House of Representatives by Democrat Becky Carney, representative for NC House District 102. It lies in NC Senate District 41, represented by Democrat Caleb Theodros.
Chantilly is represented in the United States House of Representatives by Democrat Alma Adams.
Crime stats
Attractions
Comedy Arts Theater of Charlotte
Coming Tuesday: Learn about the Optimist Park neighborhood and what it offers.
