Adam Rhew, President & CEO, SouthPark Community Partners

Invest: spoke with Adam Rhew, president and CEO of SouthPark Community Partners, about SouthPark’s evolution from a traditional suburban retail hub into a denser, more walkable mixed-use district and its growing role as an economic engine for Charlotte. “If we double down on what makes SouthPark strong today while being ambitious about its future, it can serve as both an economic center of gravity and a hub of human vitality for the region,” Rhew said.

SouthPark Community Partners launched just a few years ago. How has your mission evolved as the district grows and expectations shift?

Our mission and values have remained consistent from the beginning. We were created to help SouthPark grow in a way that strengthens its role as an economic engine for the region. With a thriving retail core that generates significant sales and property tax revenue, SouthPark contributes meaningfully to the broader city and county. Our job is to make sure this remains a place where people and businesses want to be.

What has evolved most is our program of work. Each year, we’re able to build on what we accomplished the year before. We’re in a steep part of the growth curve, taking on more complex responsibilities from the community. That acceleration and the trust our stakeholders place in us have been one of the most rewarding aspects of the last few years.

For someone less familiar with Charlotte, what defines SouthPark’s competitive edge today?

SouthPark is the premier shopping and dining destination between Washington and Atlanta, and that retail strength is the foundation of our competitive advantage. Within about a square mile, we have more than 400 consumer-facing shops, restaurants, and service providers, including over 125 market-exclusive brands. Many of those stores are the only locations in North Carolina, and in some cases, the only locations in both Carolinas.

Layered around that retail core is a strong mix of uses: Fortune 1000 headquarters, popular residential neighborhoods, and a growing hospitality sector. It’s a genuinely well-balanced district where people come to live, work, and play. We also have over $2 billion in development in the pipeline across retail, office, multifamily, and hospitality. That level of investment demonstrates how competitive and attractive SouthPark is for the long term.

Where do you see the most compelling emerging opportunities as you look ahead?

One of the most exciting opportunities is positioning SouthPark as a destination for corporate headquarters. As the district becomes denser and more walkable and as new amenities come online, it’s increasingly appealing to companies making long-term decisions about where to place their teams.

We already have strong employers here, but we think the next development cycle presents a chance to broaden that base. SouthPark’s mix of retail, dining, neighborhoods, and improving mobility makes it a compelling choice when executives and site selectors evaluate their options.

Retail brands like Zara have brought new energy to the district. How does that reflect what consumers are seeking today?

The retail landscape here is highly relevant to what consumers want. Zara opening its first store in the Carolinas was an important moment, and the response showed the demand for these types of experiences.

If someone just wants to purchase a basic item, they can do that online. What brings people to SouthPark are dynamic, social experiences in environments that feel special. That ranges from global brands that selected SouthPark as their only North Carolina location to unique local businesses rooted here.

A major focus for our organization is ensuring that these elevated in-store experiences extend beyond the front door. We want the entire district — its streets, public spaces, and mobility options — to reflect that same sense of quality.

How does the transformation of Symphony Park fit into SouthPark’s identity as both a business hub and a cultural destination?

We see the reinvention of Symphony Park as pivotal to SouthPark’s future. This space has the potential to be the heartbeat of the neighborhood and beyond. Public space is the infrastructure for human connection, and Symphony Park will be where people come together, collide in positive ways, and feel part of the district.

We’re leading a $21 million public-private partnership with Simon Property Group, the city of Charlotte, and other stakeholders, including TowneBank, which contributed a seven-figure commitment. When complete, it will be named TowneBank Symphony Park — a reflection of how the business community views this asset as much more than green space. It supports talent attraction, employee engagement, and deeper community connection.

Construction is set to begin in the third quarter of 2026, with delivery expected in late 2027. After reopening, the park will feature active programming, events, and community-driven experiences that invite people into the district and strengthen their emotional connection to it.

How would you describe the talent ecosystem connected to SouthPark, and how are you helping strengthen that pipeline?

SouthPark is unique in having both a significant corporate headquarters presence and a large retail and hospitality sector. Both sides depend on strong talent pipelines, and while the needs are different, they are equally important.

We benefit greatly from institutions like Johnson & Wales University and Central Piedmont Community College, which supply talent to the hospitality economy. Beyond that, the broader Charlotte region offers a strong higher education ecosystem and a high quality of life that attracts talent.

As a native Charlottean, I especially value the importance of retaining homegrown talent. I want Charlotte to remain a top choice for young people deciding where to build their careers. That means investing in memorable experiences and amenities — the elements that shape long-term decisions about where to live and work.

What are the biggest challenges around livability and mobility, and how is SouthPark Community Partners addressing them?

Charlotte, like many growing cities, must continue working on economic mobility, housing affordability, and transportation. The passage of the transportation sales tax referendum was a generational commitment that will allow Charlotte to pursue transformative projects.

In SouthPark specifically, mobility will look different than in other parts of the city. We’re a pocket of emerging density surrounded by single-family neighborhoods and located several miles from major transit corridors. We’re not on light rail or streetcar lines, so our solutions must be tailored to our context.

For us, mobility means high-quality sidewalks and shared-use paths, safe bike connections, microtransit like our SouthPark Skipper service, and eventually, the potential for autonomous vehicles. There is no one-size-fits-all solution — we must apply context-specific innovation to match how people actually experience this district.

You also released the SouthPark Forward 2035 vision plan. How are you moving from concept to implementation?

SouthPark Forward 2035 is our 10-year playbook. It reflects community values and outlines 64 projects and programs representing about $250 million in anticipated public and private investment.

From the moment the plan was published, our focus was implementation. We wanted to demonstrate that it wouldn’t sit on a shelf. We’ve already moved quickly with projects like the SouthPark Skipper microtransit program, Symphony Park, and several key infrastructure initiatives. Our goal is to keep chipping away at the list in a thoughtful, sequenced way. Delivering TowneBank Symphony Park is at the top of our priorities and will set a new standard for public space in Charlotte.

Looking ahead two to three years, what is your overall outlook for SouthPark’s role in the region?

We’re bullish on this district. SouthPark has a tremendous opportunity over the next development cycle to continue to raise its profile and to engage more fully with Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.

Even though it’s only about a square mile with traditionally suburban roots, the transformation underway allows it to punch above its size and weight. If we double down on what makes SouthPark strong today while being ambitious about its future, it can serve as both an economic center of gravity and a hub of human vitality for the region.