Lincoln Harris is preparing to start Two Corporate Center, a 39-story office tower across from the 60-story Bank of America Corporate Center. The 46-story Hearst Tower on North Tryon is well under way and almost 100% pre-leased. When completed in 2002, the 700-room Westin Hotel will push the Uptown room total to 4,117. First Union Commons is under construction on South Tryon and will open next year with an 880-space, underground parking garage, a 1.5-acre park, offices and shops.

One of the newest trends in office construction, developers say, is that more tenants are asking for locations near their place of work and office parks with such amenities as walking trails, sidewalks, restaurants and other services. The center city still needs a shopping center for Uptown residents, but several projects currently on the drawing boards will bring more retail closer to the city.

Rob Walsh, president of Charlotte Center City Partners, notes in a published report that a number of new developments on North Tryon could convert the area into a vibrant arts, entertainment and cultural district. The nonprofit group is working with the city and county in soliciting proposals from developers for an urban village on 17 acres occupied mainly by the Hal Marshall Services Center in the 700 block of North Tryon.

The Mint Museum, in need of a new address, is already working with the city, county and developers to be included in the village. The Museum of the New South will complete its expansion program and reopen next year. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg public library and Children's Theater of Charlotte are planning to build a learning facility in the area.

One of the fears of Uptown strategists is that once virtually all amenities are available on the outskirts, people will be more reluctant to venture into the heart of the city. That's why there has been such a concerted effort to keep the center city vital by infusing it with sports, cultural, educational and entertainment attractions.

Instant Insights /

Everything Is Upbeat in Uptown

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