Uptown Charlotte

It seems that over the last 20 years or so, cities across the nation have done work to improve their downtown center. Whether it’s an infusion of new capital and buildings or strengthening the culture and loyalty of its citizens, cities are recognizing the importance of a downtown beyond simply acting as the focus of commerce. One such city that has made great strides is Charlotte, North Carolina with its Uptown Charlotte. Here, history and future projects, modern concepts and southern sensibility meet to make a downtown for the new millennium.

The area that is downtown proper is divided into four wards. Despite massive renovations to each ward, the First Ward is arguably the most jam packed with attractions and things to. Any tourist, or life-long resident at that, can enjoy everything from the Main Library to a portion of the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center and even Time Warner Cable Arena, which is home to the Charlotte Bobcats. There’s even the Mint Museum of Craft + Design, which collects and displays artistic work from various mediums. Uptown’s Second Ward will also be home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, which is schedule for a May 2010 opening. The Third ward is home to Bank of America Stadium and Gateway Village. At 1.5 million square feet, Gateway is one of the largest mixed used developments and features dining, shopping and 500 housing units.

With a current residential population of 11,000 (and an estimated growth to 27,000 by 2013,) Uptown Charlotte is going to see growth for years to come. While the high rises and condominiums may grow like weeds, it’ll be the rich and diverse cultural and social opportunities of the city that will truly boom.