When Charlotte started its tremendous growth some 30 years ago, it headed south first and hasn’t stopped since. A few main arteries can take you directly from Uptown to south Charlotte, including South Boulevard, Park Road, Providence Road, Monroe Road and Independence Boulevard. Likewise, you can travel across the southern crescent between Pineville and Matthews on the aptly named Pineville-Matthews Road (N.C. 51) or via the I-485 outer belt.
When you mention south Charlotte to anyone in town, two words will likely roll off their tongues – SouthPark and Ballantyne. These are the two major destinations for living, shopping and working on the south side of town.
The area referred to as SouthPark, centered at Fairview and Sharon roads, was once part of a 3,000-acre farm owned by N.C. Gov. Cameron Morrison. The farm’s main house – the Morrocroft Mansion, built between 1924 and 1927 — still stands on its original site. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the stunning 14,000-square-foot Tudor Revival house stayed in the family until 1981. It remains a private residence today.
SouthPark is a prestigious address that offers a variety of housing styles, ranging from 1950s ranch houses in Beverly Woods and Barclay Downs to newer million-dollar homes in Pellyn Grove and the gated Morrocroft community.
In addition to being a residential center, SouthPark is a bustling business district. With an estimated 40,000 workers, it is second only to Uptown. Tasteful office buildings are spread throughout the area, including the eye-catching Rotunda with its dancing fountains. Several hotels are also located in SouthPark, including the Hyatt and the Courtyard Marriott.
Shopping in SouthPark is known as the best in the city. The centerpiece is SouthPark mall, Charlotte’s most upscale shopping center, which recently expanded to include Nordstrom and a number of other high-end stores, including Neiman Marcus, which opened in 2006. The mall also includes Tiffany, Pottery Barn, St. John and Ann Taylor, in addition to four department stores.
SouthPark is also the home of the Charlotte Symphony’s Summer Pops concerts, performed at the new amphitheater at SouthPark. These free evening concerts are one of the mall’s two signature community events. The other is a Christmas tradition – the annual Christmas tree lighting, which takes place on Thanksgiving Day and features caroling and a visit from Santa.
Other shopping venues include Phillips Place, Sharon Corners, Morrocroft Village and Specialty Shops on the Park. All include shopping and dining options.
SouthPark’s condo market is beginning to rival that of Uptown, with a number of major luxury and mixed-use developments in the works. |
