High-rise apartments at former greenhouse site near South End to finish next fall

By Elise Franco – Staff Writer, Charlotte Business Journal

Nov 21, 2023

The Campbell is a 12-story multifamily apartment building under construction in the South End area.

A high-rise apartment building under construction at the former Campbell’s Greenhouses & Nursery site in Charlotte has hit the halfway mark.

The Campbell, a 12-story, 117-unit building, is being developed by Charlotte-based Abacus Capital in partnership with JE Dunn Capital Partners and L&B Realty Advisors. Construction began in January, and the project topped out this week.

The Campbell was named in recognition of the nursery, which operated at 209 McDonald Ave., on the edge of Dilworth and South End, for 38 years. It closed last November.

Wes McAdams, Abacus managing partner, said construction is several days ahead of schedule. The project is expected to deliver in October 2024 with pre-leasing to begin in August.

“We are proud of our team’s execution on the construction phase of this project, topping out ahead of schedule and under budget,” he said. “This will be an incredibly special building once delivered next year.”

The Campbell will include one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Each will be approximately 1,200 square feet and provide views of uptown, South End, Kings Mountain, or south Charlotte. Units will start on the fifth floor above four floors of parking.

The project will also include two 1,050-square-foot ground-floor retail spaces. Abacus plans to target a morning coffee/evening cocktail or wine establishment for the space facing McDonald Avenue. A health and beauty store, service-based business, or neighborhood retail will be targeted for the project’s space fronting Cleveland Avenue.

Brick Bryant, partner at Abacus, said they are intentionally positioning the project to be attractive to a more mature renter.

“With the best retail and restaurants in South End at Atherton Market and Design District out its front door, and historic Dilworth’s tree-lined streets out its back door, future tenants should be able to enjoy all the benefits of elevated living,” he said.

Legacy Real Estate Advisors’ Adam Williams is handling retail leasing.

Abacus, JE Dunn, and L&B closed last December on the $5 million sale of the property at 2025 Cleveland Ave. JE Dunn Construction Co. is the general contractor. Colony Commercial is the construction manager. The project architect is Axiom Architecture, and the civil engineer is the McAdams Co.

Highline Partners acquires FUSE District site in Gastonia for mixed-use project

By Collin Huguley – Staff Writer, Charlotte Business Journal

Oct 23, 2023

The next project at Gastonia’s Franklin Urban Sports and Entertainment District is set to begin in the coming months after a land sale there last month.

An entity affiliated with Highline Partners recently acquired a 6-acre site at 615 W. Franklin Blvd. in Gastonia for just over $2 million, according to Gaston County real estate records. Highline’s Mark Miller confirmed to the Charlotte Business Journal that the developer had acquired the FUSE District site for the development of a mixed-use project called Franklin Yards. Miller said Highline is planning to begin construction in the late first quarter or early second quarter of 2024, and added it will take two years to complete.

The plans for Franklin Yards have called for over 250 market-rate apartments and 5,300 square feet of commercial space fronting Franklin Boulevard, according to city documents from earlier this year. Miller has said previously the estimated investment for the project is “north of” $50 million.

Highline’s project team for Franklin Yards includes Axiom Architecture, Bolton & Menk, Southpark Interiors, and Rylake Construction.

The developer has been under contract on the Franklin Yards site since 2022. The land was acquired from Gaston County Family YMCA Inc. It was also the former Central Branch YMCA site. The site has been viewed as a critical one at the FUSE District and has been eyed by local leaders for redevelopment for years. The Gaston Gazette reported back in 2018 that it had been formally put up for sale.

Franklin Yards is one of several projects in the works as part of the next wave of development at the FUSE District. Other investments are being plotted by Lenox Development Group and Lansing Melbourne Group, which also redeveloped the former Trenton Mill site at FUSE into loft apartments.

The FUSE District is centered on CaroMont Health Park, the publicly-funded ballpark that is home to the Gastonia Honey Hunters baseball team.

$70M project in downtown Cornelius secures rezoning. Here’s when construction could start.

By Collin Huguley – Staff Writer, Charlotte Business Journal

Sep 21, 2023

Nearly 10 months after an initial public hearing, Charlotte-based Highline Partners has secured approvals to develop a $70 million-plus project in downtown Cornelius.

The Cornelius Board of Commissioners approved a rezoning request and development agreement with Highline Partners at its meeting on Sept. 18. The developer, which is led by Mark Miller, sought to rezone a 2.3-acre site at 21300 Catawba Ave. for a project named Mill’s Market. The development calls for up to 238 residential units and 12,000 square feet of commercial space neighboring the Cain Center for the Arts.

The board voted 4-1 to approve the rezoning. Dave Gilroy was the lone commissioner to vote against the request while voicing concerns about density and traffic in the area, where several other projects have been approved. The town’s planning board had recommended approval for the rezoning request at a meeting in August. The first public hearing for the matter was held back in November 2022, when Miller presented initial plans to the commissioners.

“We look forward to looking back on this as a key turning part on our downtown redevelopment here in Cornelius,” Mayor Woody Washam said of the rezoning and development agreement approval this week.

Construction on Mill’s Market is still over a year away, Miller said. The developer plans to work through the design process for the next year, he told the Charlotte Business Journal. Miller is targeting the fourth quarter of 2024 or the first quarter of 2025 to break ground on Mill’s Market. Miller estimated the project would take about two years to fully build out.

The project will include an additional 130 public parking spaces in a deck that will be owned by the town. Highline has also committed to having 10 residential units at “affordable workforce rent levels for a minimum of 20 years,” Miller said.

“We feel that Mill’s Market is a bullseye for the type of projects we like to work on,” Miller said. “Along with the Cain Center for the Arts next door, we hope that Mill’s Market will enhance downtown Cornelius with new restaurants, retail shops, and public open space. We really believe the newly formed downtown arts district in Cornelius is on a path to become one of the more exciting and unique destinations in (the area) north (of) Charlotte.”

Plans for Mill’s Market have changed slightly since the initial November public meeting. At the time, Miller presented plans for up to 263 apartments and 7,300 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. Highline added more commercial space at the request of commissioners and has also lowered the proposed building height.

Highline’s project team for Mill’s Market includes Axiom Architects as the architect and Bolton & Menk as the civil engineer.

Click here to view or download the official press release

Axiom participating with Second Harvest’s Food Drive this Holiday Season

“Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina is a crucial link between available food and those who need it most.”

Once again, Axiom is registered with the Second Harvest Food Bank – https://www.secondharvestmetrolina.org/  I’m sure some of you know their operation and all the amazing things they do in and around Charlotte.  Food supply, this year more than most, is at critical levels for so many families and individuals.  This food drive is a way we can all make an impact!

USAA Opening New Office in Charlotte at The Square

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – (May 27, 2021) USAA announced today it is opening a new office in Charlotte later this year. The financial services company, which serves the military community, entered into a lease agreement for The Square at South End located at 200 West Boulevard. This move supports USAA’s efforts to attract talented audit, banking, legal, risk management and technology professionals.

“Employers looking for a highly skilled work force and high quality of life keep coming to North Carolina,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “We pride ourselves on being the most military and veteran friendly state in the nation and I’m proud that USAA, which has provided for military families since 1922, has decided to expand its presence in Charlotte.”

The new location was selected because of the availability of highly skilled individuals in the financial services sector.
“Opening an office in Charlotte is a win-win for USAA,” said USAA President and CEO Wayne Peacock. “It gives us even greater access to some of the top banking and technology professionals in a community that has a deep understanding and care for the military. USAA has been serving military families for nearly a century and we are excited to begin our second century with a growing presence in Charlotte.”

Click here for full article

Man of Steel