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These 10 developments are helping reshape Charlotte's landscape

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

Charlotte's economic landscape is changing as new projects drive growth, support communities, and add diversity to the region's development. Many of these ventures focus on transforming neighborhoods, expanding housing, and promoting business opportunities.

One project replaces a former Centene office plan in University City with apartments and commercial space for families. Mooresville Village attracts a new grocery store and a mix of homes, including attainable housing for local workers. The Pearl district launches Charlotte’s first four-year medical school and draws STEM businesses to uptown. In Charlotte’s Historic West End, a nonprofit group buys land to open a co-op grocery and hundreds of apartments. Meanwhile, the Spark Centro economic hub supports small business growth in east Charlotte. Trader Joe’s prepares to open a new store in Matthews, while a retail hub in Concord welcomes micro-shops run by entrepreneurs. Local leadership also acts to support these changes, with city officials taking on expanded economic development roles. Across the region, projects mix new housing, retail, entertainment, and education to strengthen Charlotte's economic engine.

The Mooresville Village retail center will include a 50,000-square-foot grocery store and various shops.

NO. 1: STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION, LAKE NORMAN HIGHWAY LURES HOMES, MEGA MIXED-USE COMMUNITY

The development will include hundreds of homes, plus open space, walking trails and a grocer, bank and shops at East West Connector highway. | Published December 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

The Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte is working to open Spark Centro in the Albemarle Road Corridor.

NO. 2: HOW LATINO BUSINESS LEADERS AIM TO SPARK EAST CHARLOTTE GROWTH WITH NEW WORKFORCE SITE

Plans are underway to open the first phase of a $20-million investment for the Albemarle Road corridor. | Published January 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chase Jordan

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The property has been graded, and the two-story building is being renovated at the longtime Queens Landing complex on River Highway (N.C. 150 West) on Lake Norman in Mooresville. This picture was taken from the parking lot of the public McCrary Creek Access Area on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. By JOE MARUSAK

NO. 3: WORK BEGINS TO REVIVE LANDMARK LAKE NORMAN DINING, BOATING AND ENTERTAINMENT SPOT

Developer obtains permits to renovate two-story building, docks and parking area, town official says. | Published January 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

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Alyson Craig has been named the Director of Charlotte Planning, Design & Development.

NO. 4: CHARLOTTE ANNOUNCES NEW ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, INTERIM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

She’s best known for helping develop Charlotte’s 2040 plan and unified development ordinance in her role as city planning director. | Published January 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Ramsey

Mattamy Homes plans three-story townhomes at its proposed Regalia at Lake Norman community on Langtree Road in southern Iredell County.

NO. 5: LAKE NORMAN NEIGHBORS PAN HOMEBUILDER’S PLAN FOR 3-STORY TOWNHOMES, CUTTING DOWN TREES

Developer Mattamy Homes tried unsuccessfully to be exempted from a rule requiring 50% of shoreline in a new development to be publicly accessible. | Published February 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

The Historic West End Partners also commissioned work from T’Afo Feimster, the curator for the LATIBAH Collard Green Museum. By Alex Cason Photography

NO. 6: CHARLOTTE NONPROFIT BUYS WEST END PROPERTY FOR $1.25M AS PART OF LARGER DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Buying the old Church’s Chicken is part of the group’s work to fill service and amenity gaps in one of the city’s oldest Black neighborhoods. | Published March 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso

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A rendering of how Flournoy Development Group will transform 52 acres in University City into housing.

NO. 7: PART OF THE FORMER CENTENE CAMPUS IN UNIVERSITY CITY WILL NOW BE APARTMENTS

An Atlanta developer plans to be over 500 apartments and 20 townhomes on the site. | Published April 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Desiree Mathurin

Matthews Board of Commissioners approved elevation changes for a neighborhood grocery store at Matthews Gateway project. The sketch plan shows signage font similar to Trader Joe’s. By LAT Purser & Associates

NO. 8: TRADER JOE’S EXPECTED TO EXPAND IN THE CHARLOTTE AREA WITH MATTHEWS STORE

The identity of the grocery store in Matthews Gateway was revealed after being alluded to last summer. | Published May 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso

Eugene A. Woods, Chief Executive Officer of Advocate Health, cheers on a performance during the grand opening of The Pearl, created by a visionary public-private partnership led by Atrium Health and Wexford Science & Technology in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, June 2, 2025. By KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH

NO. 9: A NEW ERA: ATRIUM UNVEILS THE PEARL, A $1.5B HOME FOR NEW CHARLOTTE MED SCHOOL, STEM

The Pearl, a “milestone” project, will be home to Charlotte’s first four-year medical school and innovative STEM work. | Published June 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chase Jordan

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A rendering of The District Exchange’s first floor. By Courtesy of Kristen Adamczuk

NO. 10: FROM POPCORN TO PASTRIES, A NEW RETAIL HUB IS BRINGING FRESH SHOPS TO CONCORD

Later this summer, you’ll be able to stop in to the multi-level development to shop, dine and unwind. | Published June 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.