The 400,000-plus-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.
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 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 Park on Lake Wylie. The park features 1,108 picturesque acres of forest where you can hike, fish, picnic, camp or visit the nature center. McDowell also offers a boat launch and waterfront deck overlooking Lake Wylie.
Another recreational spot is Renaissance Park, near the Charlotte Coliseum on Tyvola Road. This popular county park includes an 18-hole golf course, athletic fields, biking trails and tennis courts.
Off Tyvola 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 its 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 100-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 127 cities with 627 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. |
