As I was showing a property today near the Uptown area in Dilworth, I noticed that the skyline included another new crane, which led me to follow the maze of new construction into the area to see which project was moving forward. Almost 2.7 million commercial square feet, currently being erected in the Uptown area right now still won’t be enough to meet the demand of Charlotte’s growing economy.
The Charlotte Chamber of Commerce has compiled the newest set of numbers revealing that over 1,300 new or expanding firms are investing $2.3 billion in Charlotte’s future infrastructure. With a vacancy rate of only 2%, commercial space in the Uptown area is very tight and with 14,648 jobs being created by these firms, Uptown residential space should soon be limited as well. The numbers are a fairly good indicator of Charlotte’s continued economic growth.
Some of the new jobs are as follows:
The addition of these 14,648 jobs, translates into an increase in demand for housing as well. Uptown residential buildings continue to add to Charlotte’s skyline in an effort to keep pace with increased job demand. It remains to be seen if the residential new construction will, indeed, keep pace with the draw for Uptown’s preferred work/live environment.
2008 is shaping up to be a stellar year for Charlotte, NC.
About the author:
Debe Maxwell is a Charlotte Residential Real Estate, Certified Neighborhood and Relocation Specialist who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Charlotte, NC or any place in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice. Debe has created a team of professionals throughout the country to ensure that you enjoy a smooth transition to your new area. These professionals are experts in the field of relocation and can serve many purposes beyond a simple home search. The destination service is of no cost to you! Please visit www.debemaxwell.com/ for your relocation and/or your local needs.
Debe Maxwell- HELEN ADAMS REALTY - 704.491.3310 - Debe@DebeMaxwell.com
Charlotte is chock-full of fine dining establishments, a few of which are featured below. Stay tuned for more of Charlotte's finest 5-star restaurants!
Located in Charlotte’s upscale neighborhood, South Park, Zebra is in the Wall Street Capitol Building. Zebra offers a la carte contemporary French cuisine and is one of Charlotte’s crème de la crème in fine dining. Zebra offers Charleston-style patio dining, private party events, receptions, and chef’s menu-sampling on a nightly basis.
4521 Sharon Road (704-442-9525)
Don’t take that menu from McCormick & Schmick’s with you as it changes twice daily! The menu features over 30 varieties of fresh fish and seafood, both locally or flown in from U.S. or international waters. Other menu highlights include their pasta, poultry and beef specialties that are any palette’s dream!
43200 South Tryon Street (704-377-0201)
35 Barclay Downs Drive (SouthPark Mall) (704-442-5522)
Blue Restaurant & Bar is one of Charlotte Uptowns’ sophisticated restaurant offering flavors from around the Mediterranean region. Blue offers a multi-cultural menu, created by award-winning Executive Chef Gene Briggs that is simply delightful, taking fine dining to new heights. Menu highlights include Moroccan Tagine, Whole Roasted Mediterranean Sea Bass, or Tenderloin a la Blue.
Hearst Tower Corner of 5th & College Street (704-927-2583)
Two 18- foot glass wine towers anchor the bar to the open dining room of Table, Ballantyne’s upscale restaurant. The décor, from the glamour era of 1920’s – 1940’s, draws the eye to the massive carrera marble table, flanked by cheese cellars on either side. The Chef, Gene Briggs creates amazing ‘farm to table’ presentations here as at Blue. American cuisine is highlighted with steaks and seafood in this fine dining establishment.
14835 John J. Delaney Drive, Ste. 150 (704-369-5170)
Bonterra Dining & Wine Room, located in historic Southend, housed in one of Charlotte’s historical churches (over 100 years old) and is unique and rich with ambience and flavor. Bonterra's interior blends the original architectural features of its historic building tastefully with elegant, but casual modern style.
1829 Cleveland Avenue at East Worthington Avenue (704.333.WINE {9463})
About the author:
Debe Maxwell is a Charlotte Residential Real Estate, Certified Neighborhood and Relocation Specialist who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Charlotte, NC or any place in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice. Debe has created a team of professionals throughout the country to ensure that you enjoy a smooth transition to your new area. These professionals are experts in the field of relocation and can serve many purposes beyond a simple home search. The destination service is of no cost to you! Please visit www.debemaxwell.com/ for your relocation and/or your local needs.
Debe Maxwell- HELEN ADAMS REALTY - 704.491.3310 - Debe@DebeMaxwell.com
Eastover, located southeast of Charlotte’s Center City, formerly two dairy farms, (also formerly Myers Park Eastover), was developed by E. C. Griffith in 1927. From the days of Earle Sumner Draper, the Southeastern US ‘premier’ urban planner to present day, Eastover has been the home of some of Charlotte’s most elite. From cotton brokers to bankers to attorneys, the facilitators of Charlotte’s growth have resided in Eastover. E.C. Griffith sought to create Eastover as a competitor to Myers Park. Charlotte was headquarters to 770 textile mills, consuming more cotton than any other sector of the world. In 1927, the piedmont North and South Carolina, officially surpassed New England in cotton cloth production.
Charlotteans not only owned numerous mills and brokered much of their own cotton for the region, but boasted a large number of bankers, attorneys, stockbrokers, and leading retailers. Griffith saw this elite, upper-income group as a potential market for a new suburb branching off of Myers Park, which was not completely developed at that time. E.C. Griffith made a name for himself as a successful local real estate developer and the company remains one of the oldest in the city, dealing now primarily in commercial real estate.
Nearly 600 homes make up the Eastover neighborhood which is full of towering hardwoods, winding streets and amazing architecture. Eastover Elementary School is at the ‘heart’ of Eastover. Small businesses outline the neighborhood on the east and winding sidewalks provide easy access for the residents.
Early Eastover architecture is primarily Georgian, mixed with Tudor, bungalow and Colonial. One home, the Reynolds-Gourmajenko House of Tuscan Revival architecture exists on Providence Road; no home like it exists in Charlotte or Mecklenburg County. As the commute to the city became a bit longer for suburbians, vacant lots quickly filled with new construction, mostly in-keeping with the Georgian theme. Currently older estates are being renovated and are truly amazing.
The Mint Museum of Art, the first branch of the US Mint, was transported to Eastover in pieces from its original location in Uptown to a site donated by E.C. Griffith Company. Martin Boyer, who orchestrated the move, marked each and every stone before its move. The Civil Works Administration, one of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal Agencies, provided the labor to resurrect the building as the Mint Museum of Art in 1936. This was one of Charlotte's first historic preservation operations.
Since the late 1800’s, wealthy Charlotteans have enjoyed living on the fringe of the Uptown (formerly Downtown!) area and Eastover was one of the city’s first suburbs. Sometimes called ‘country homes,’ the Georgian homes in Eastover, Dilworth, Elizabeth and Myers Park were a mere 5¢ fare to Uptown on the electric streetcar (1890’s). The more impressive suburbs tended to be south or east of town, in essence, due to the fact that the city's only railroad bridges at the time, were on East Trade and East Morehead Streets. Dozens of trains blocked the tracks on a daily basis creating a blockade surrounding the business district.
Eastover, not only rich in history, is considered one of Charlotte’s most sought-after neighborhoods where residents enjoy true neighborly relationships. Families who have resided in Eastover for generations are more than welcoming to newcomers moving to Charlotte from all over the U.S.
Visit Eastover and savor a piece of history as your tour stately homes in this lovely neighborhood of Charlotte, NC.
About the author:
Debe Maxwell is a Charlotte Residential Real Estate, Certified Neighborhood and Relocation Specialist who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Charlotte, NC or any place in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice. Debe has created a team of professionals throughout the country to ensure that you enjoy a smooth transition to your new area. These professionals are experts in the field of relocation and can serve many purposes beyond a simple home search. The destination service is of no cost to you! Please visit www.debemaxwell.com/ for your relocation and/or your local needs.
Debe Maxwell- HELEN ADAMS REALTY - 704.491.3310 - Debe@DebeMaxwell.com
Some of the most historical neighborhoods in Charlotte were known the "streetcar suburbs," 
those built around Uptown to accommodate trolley commuting. The first suburbs of Charlotte that were formed along the streetcar lines, extending out from the city, were Dilworth Elizabeth, Myers Park and Plaza Midwood.
The trolley is a popular attraction to newcomers in Charlotte and is always the highlight of the little ones on the tour!
Latta Park, known as the "pleasure resort" was at the far southern end of the streetcar line! Latta Park is a gorgeous 31-acre community park that is managed by Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation. View map of Latta Park here.
Those of you who live in Charlotte, know that Dilworth is a mere hop, skip and jump to Uptown and is miles away from the southernmost ‘suburbs' of Charlotte at present! Dilworth remains one of Charlotte's oldest, most popular areas to reside, work and play! Dilworth is known for its' craftsman style bungalows, many of which have been renovated time after time, maintaining unprecedented historic values.
Sitting just outside the city limits, an area known as Dilworth became home to a showplace residence built by streetcar owner, Edward Dilworth Latta. His home, built in 1891 was the showplace of turn-of-the-century Charlotte, an expansive mansion surrounded by inviting bungalows and was in what was considered Charlotte's first "suburban" development.
Dilworth is a true ‘neighborhood' with front porches leading to traditional sidewalks, leading to eclectic shops, offices, and restaurants, all within walking distance. One gets a true sense of community when simply driving through Dilworth.
Massive churches and tree-lined streets further welcome you to this lovely historic community.
Dilworth is one of Charlotte's oldest "streetcar suburbs" and is known for its craftsman style bungalows, massive churches and tree-lined streets. Dilworth is a ‘true' neighborhood with homes, many of which have large front porches, leading to traditional sidewalks. Those sidewalks connect eclectic shops, offices and restaurants, all within walking distance.
New condominiums and townhomes have replaced some older homes and vacant land in several areas of Dilworth. Few other areas in Charlotte continue to appreciate at the rate that Dilworth, Myers Park, SouthPark and Eastover have appreciated. Homeowners of all ages enjoy the ambiance, the neighborhood-of-old feel that is only found in Dilworth! Come visit Charlotte and take a tour of lovely Dilworth while you're here-you'll be captivated like the rest of us!
About the author:
Debe Maxwell is a Charlotte Residential Real Estate, Certified Neighborhood and Relocation Specialist who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Charlotte, NC or any place in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice. Debe has created a team of professionals throughout the country to ensure that you enjoy a smooth transition to your new area. These professionals are experts in the field of relocation and can serve many purposes beyond a simple home search. The destination service is of no cost to you! Please visit www.debemaxwell.com/ for your relocation and/or your local needs.
Debe Maxwell- HELEN ADAMS REALTY - 704.491.3310 - Debe@DebeMaxwell.com
Charlotte’s New Light Rail
In keeping with Charlotte's cat theme (Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Bobcats, CATS [Charlotte Area Transit System]), a new light rail, LYNX has become our new favorite means of transportation in the city! Connectivity is key (hence the name, LYNX) in getting the city's south end into the city during rush hours.
In November, 2007, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) began operation of the 9.6-mile LYNX Blue Line light rail, after having been under construction since February, 2005. The LYNX fleet includes sixteen Avanto light rail cars built by Siemens. The line extends from Uptown Charlotte southward to Pineville and runs almost parallel to I-77. Previously used by the Charlotte Trolley, a heritage streetcar operation that will run in tandem service with the LYNX trains beginning in spring 2008.
This model is patterned by those in Houston, Texas, and has also been ordered by the city of Portland, Oregon. Charlotteans have enthusiastically embraced the light rail after much ado about county expenditures to build the system. This was demonstrated by the opening month’s records of carrying over 9,000 passenger trips per day. CATS projects over 18,000 passenger riders by the year 2025. Visit Charlotte Center City Partners website for a LYNX interactive map.
photo by Jon Bell
Real estate surrounding the light rail stations has shown a boost in sales prices, contributing, once again, to Charlotte’s smart plans to maintain economic stability. Rush hour traffic and major sporting events in the Uptown area as well as concerts and other functions at the arena, are contributory to our much needed new light rail as well as its early success.
Photo by Todd Sumlin
The LYNX line has 15 stations, sharing its track with the Charlotte Trolley from the Atherton Mill station to the 7th Street station. The 9.6 mile opening phase is planned to expand to reach 36th Street by 2013 and I-485 at UNCC by 2018. With 14 stations planned, the corridor will be 14 miles long by 2018. Come ride the light rail and check out our beautiful city with me--we'll take a tour of some of our gorgeous homes while you're here!
About the author:
Debe Maxwell is a Charlotte Residential Real Estate, Certified Neighborhood and Relocation Specialist who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Charlotte, NC or any place in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice. Debe has created a team of professionals throughout the country to ensure that you enjoy a smooth transition to your new area. These professionals are experts in the field of relocation and can serve many purposes beyond a simple home search. The destination service is of no cost to you! Please visit www.debemaxwell.com/ for your relocation and/or your local needs.
Debe Maxwell- HELEN ADAMS REALTY - 704.491.3310 - Debe@DebeMaxwell.com
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Platinum Level Customer Service for luxury home buyers & sellers, relocation & 1st-time home buyers in the Charlotte Metro region. www.SoldByDebe.com Debe@DebeMaxwell.com
Providing unsurpassed platinum level customer service, professionalism & knowledge of the ever changing market is our business; we want to earn YOUR business. You can't go wrong when you enlist the services of Helen Adams Realty & Charlotte's Five Star Agents. Ask us how you can benefit from our knowledge as Luxury Home & Certified Neighborhood Specialists, Accredited Buyer's Agents, e-PROs, Senior Real Estate Specialists, and Certified Residential & Neighborhood Specialists! Testimonial to our service is reflected in the amount of referral business that we do. Visit one of The Maxwell House Group's sites for unlimited information on Charlotte & Matthews NC!
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