Living in Southwest Charlotte

To natives, southwest Charlotte was always just Steele Creek, because for a long time that was the only neighborhood in this part of town.

How times change. Over the past decade, the number of households in southwest Charlotte has doubled. And thanks to the new leg of I-485 that recently opened and the rising housing costs in south Charlotte, southwest Charlotte is expected to be one of the primary residential and business growth spots of the future.

Steele Creek

While Steele Creek offers the charm of an established neighborhood, this area has much to offer if you’re in the market for a new home. Recently developed communities line N.C. 49 (also known as South Tryon and York Road), the main thoroughfare of southwest Charlotte, and higher-end communities are under way on the Mecklenburg side of Lake Wylie. You’ll find southwest Charlotte homes listed in real estate area 7.

The Sanctuary, a 1,300-acre community off Shopton Road West on the shores of Lake Wylie, is one of the most unique developments in the region. Referring to each of its homesites as “private preserves”, The Sanctuary’s sites range from two to more than 13 acres, averaging about five acres. Its builders use green building techniques to conserve energy and preserve open space. The community features 20 miles of nature trails, 200 acres of natural areas and The Camp, a 17-acre lakefront community center with swimming pools, tennis courts, a fitness center, kids’ room, playground, an amphitheater, picnic areas and a boating center. Twenty million-dollar homes are part of the development; homesites range from $300,000 to $2 million.
Another luxury community is The Palisades, covering 1,600 acres of a Lake Wylie peninsula just south of N.C. 49. It offers a Nicklaus Design championship golf course, country club, equestrian center, soccer complex and nature trails. Homes at The Palisades range from the $400s to over $2 million.

Berewick

Covering 1,050 acres, Berewick is a mixed-use development near I-485. The development includes office and retail space, as well as multi-family housing in the TownCenter. Berewick also offers several neighborhoods with single-family homes ranging from $180,000 to $500,000.
Following the residential buildup, the area has seen a surge of retail and entertainment growth. Serving the burgeoning population near Lake Wylie, RiverGate includes a Home Depot, Target and Best Buy as well as restaurants, grocery stores and retail shops.

The Ayrsley project at I-485 and N.C. 49 includes 140 acres of business development. This new design features shops, restaurants, a movie theater, a branch of the YMCA, and luxury apartments and townhomes designed with the feel of an old European village. Calling itself the “Town Center of Southeast Charlotte”, the development anticipates the creation of roughly 50,000 new jobs, which would make it one of the largest employment districts in the state.

For many years, southwest Charlotte was attractive only to industrial companies. Today, it draws high-tech companies and national headquarters, with new buildings and office parks announced frequently. The 306,000-square-foot campus for Microsoft Corp. is at ArrowPoint, off Arrowood Road. In addition to Microsoft, ArrowPoint’s major tenants include BellSouth and the U.S. headquarters of Royal & SunAlliance Insurance.

Moving its headquarters from Minneapolis, Minn., the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association now calls Charlotte home. Aptly located on the Billy Graham Parkway, the 63-acre site features the Billy Graham Center for World Evangelism as well as the Billy Graham Library, which chronicles the history of evangelism and the life of the famous evangelist. The library anticipates thousands of visitors each year.

On Choate Circle, is the 31,000-square-foot building and 19-acre Southeast Campus for nondenominational Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, moved into its new facility, The Frank and Morrow Graham Academic Center in 2003, named in honor of Billy Graham’s parents.
Whitehall, one of Charlotte’s largest office parks, includes a technology park and corporate center. Source Technologies has created its state-of-the-art U.S. headquarters here.

Whitehall Commons, a 550,000-square-foot shopping center – the largest in southwest Charlotte – includes a Wal-Mart Super Center, Bi-Lo and Lowe’s, and plans for residential projects could add 6,500 homes to the mixed-use development.

Within Whitehall’s 700 acres is the 45-acre Whitehall Nature Preserve. Take a tour and you’ll find the preserve, owned by the Catawba Lands Conservancy, is home to several varieties of salamander and frog indigenous to the rare, seasonal wetlands.

You will not believe you’re only minutes from the city when you visit McDowell Nature Center and Preserve on Lake Wylie. The preserve features 1,108 picturesque acres of forest where you can hike, fish, picnic and camp. McDowell also offers a boat launch and waterfront deck overlooking Lake Wylie.

Another recreational spot is Renaissance Park on West Tyvola Road. This popular county park includes an 18-hole golf course, championship level disc golf, athletic fields, biking trails and tennis courts.

Off Yorkmont Road, the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market offers a variety of produce. While you can visit just about any day of the week, on spring weekends you’ll find the greatest selection of vendors from all over the Carolinas. Wander through each shed and chat with farmers while selecting your produce, flowers, baked goods and even crafts.

Central Piedmont Community College recently opened the Harper Campus off Arrowood Road. The high-tech campus specializes in teaching graphic arts, printing, electronics and welding. It is home to the Harper National Flexographic Center, a key-learning center for those who want to enter the printing field.

The Steele Creek Library on Steele Creek Road near N.C. 49 recently opened a new 15,000-square-foot facility in front of the new Southwest Middle School. The new building provides a wealth of books, technology and programs for families.

Carowinds, a 112-acre theme and water park that straddles the N.C./S.C. border, is a major family attraction. The young and young-at-heart enjoy more than 100 rides, shows and attractions.
Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, US Airways’ largest hub, serves 129 cities with 671 daily departures. The airy, sun-lit terminal welcomes passengers with rocking chairs and piano music, along with shops and restaurants, but you’ll have to move quickly to get a rocking chair – it’s a hot property for folks between flights.