Five major developments reshaping Charlotte

Writer: Andrea Teran

October 2025 — Charlotte’s commercial landscape continues to evolve as billions in real estate investment reshape key corridors. Uptown alone is seeing more than $5.4 billion in new development and reinvestment activity, according to Charlotte Center City Partners, including office towers, hospitality projects, and ground-floor retail. The region now has over 137.6 million square feet of office inventory, up from 102.5 million in the early 2000s. South End and NoDa remain among the Southeast’s most active submarkets, as demand continues for walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods anchored by housing, retail, and transit connectivity. Below is a closer look at five development projects set to make regional impact.

The River District — West Charlotte

Developed by Crescent Communities, The River District spans approximately 1,200 acres along the Catawba River in west Charlotte. Its master plan calls for about 2,300 single-family homes, 2,350 multifamily units, and up to 8 million square feet of commercial space. A 2‑acre working farm and a network of trails, parks, and preserved open space are integral to the design. 

The project has achieved recognition under the One Planet Living Leader framework, which is rare among U.S. developments. Over 500 acres will remain conserved, with flood zones, wetlands, and natural corridors incorporated into the layout. Among its first verticals, Crescent has broken ground on a 318-unit apartment complex, Novel River District.

Walmart Fulfillment Center — Kings Mountain

Walmart is committing approximately $300 million to establish a large fulfillment center in Kings Mountain, projected to occupy nearly 1.3 million square feet. It is slated to create over 300 jobs and is expected to open by 2027. 

The facility will sit at 799 Sara Lee Access Road in Kings Mountain. As part of the deal, state and local leadership approved incentives valued at nearly $3.7 million over 12 years. The site — a large existing industrial building delivered in 2023 — had been vacant and aimed at attracting a key user.

The Grove at Tega Cay — South of Charlotte / York County

Kinger Development Group and Charlotte Living Realty have broken ground on The Grove at Tega Cay, a $250 million mixed-use vision on 55 acres near SC Highway 160. The project includes 150 for-sale homes and townhomes, 225 apartments, and over 100,000 square feet of commercial space.

Construction is planned over five to seven years in three phases. The first phase will feature entertainment uses, townhomes, and green spaces. Later phases will add apartments, retail, restaurants, and office space. The design leans heavily on walkability and an envisioned “main street” experience.

Wegmans — Ballantyne

Wegmans has officially broken ground on its first Charlotte-area store, a 110,000-square-foot grocery and food market in the Ballantyne neighborhood. The store is expected to open in fall 2026 and will employ about 450 people. The site covers roughly 14 acres and includes parking for 650 vehicles.

Wegmans’ Charlotte location will replicate its signature format — including an expansive produce, seafood, bakery, and market café — with both indoor and outdoor seating. Because the Ballantyne store is about 10,000 sq ft larger than its nearby Triangle stores, it reflects a strong bet on regional demand.

Sorella at The Pass — NoDa

Atlanta-based Third & Urban has completed the first phase of Sorella, a 335-unit apartment community that anchors the larger $100 million mixed-use development at The Pass in NoDa. Located along Sugar Creek Road, steps from the Lynx Blue Line, the project includes a mix of studio to two-bedroom units with amenities such as co-working lounges, a rooftop terrace, and ground-floor retail.

Sorella is designed to support and expand the character of the surrounding neighborhood, while also meeting growing demand for transit-connected housing. The larger development will eventually include over 260,000 square feet of office and retail space, with additional restaurants and creative commercial tenants already announced.

Want more? Read the Invest: Charlotte report.