It’s been a year since we made our move to Uptown Charlotte. You wouldn’t think in such a short span that much would be different from the time I first wrote about our move until now. This is Charlotte, though, so that statement doesn’t really apply. If the changes hadn’t been so gradual, Uptown would certainly seem drastically different to me. It definitely does to friends and family who visit us just once or twice a year. We have to spend the first day or two just touring and talking about what is new, what’s been started, and what is on the way.
Yes, it’s been a year since we made our move to Uptown but in some respects it might as well have been a few years. When I wrote about the move last year and the changes that came with it, most of those changes were personal: new environment, moving from a home to a condo, from a neighborhood to an urban core. For me, the changes have been fantastic. I was really happy when we first moved, but it seems monthly there is something else new to add to the vibrancy and the fabric of our surroundings. New bars, restaurants, parks, light-rail, festivals, and residents have made it so that Uptown is in constant transition.
Our view from the back terrace has taken a dramatic turn with Novare Group’s Catalyst project. These guys don’t play when it comes to building and staying on track. Last year they had a vacant lot and were moving a bit of dirt. At this point I am looking at 22 floors of a concrete skeleton (with only 6 more floors to go) and they are already skinning the framing and installing windows on the lower levels. They complete about one floor per week. As Catalyst moves up, much of our view of BofA Stadium disappears, but every time something comes along to take part of a view, what is added is just as spectacular. When another part of this project is built and more of the block developed, we’ll completely lose the stadium view but we’ll have a great shot of Twelve Hotel. Having seen the drawings let me tell you, I don’t mind at all!
With a small stretch over the railing we can also see the massive Wachovia project going up at a similar pace on the corner of Stonewall and Tryon. With this and Catalyst combined, tower cranes have created a forest of metal “trees” that stretch from one end of town to the other. Just on the other side of Tryon in 2nd Ward you can see the same with the NASCAR Hall of Fame tower, The Park Condominiums, and elements of the EpiCentre project. Beside and across from Wachovia they’ve also begun erecting the steel framing for the African American Cultural Center, the Bechtler & Mint Museums, and other elements of this massive project. South Tryon is really going to be a hub of cultural activity by the time I write our next update in 12 months.
Turning and looking west and north we see Avenue and Trademark. These high-rise condo buildings were finished a few months ago and have added hundreds of new residents to an area of a few blocks. With the people and buildings have come new places to eat, play, and socialize. Press opened recently in the bottom of Trademark, definitely a welcome addition to the restaurant scene. Not too fancy, not lowbrow—no porridge or beds—but this place is just right for an uptown neighborhood hangout. With walls lined with bottles of wine, and choices at grocery store prices—many selections are under $16 per bottle—and great small apps and sushi also at reasonable prices, this will be a fantastic regular spot that won’t drain the wallet. Let the weather get just a bit warmer and the outdoor seating, I bet, will constantly be full. I can promise I’ll be doing my part to make that prediction come true. (Actually, I’ve already started.) Cheers!
Also added downtown: Hom. Pronounced like “home,” it is the perfect solution when your boss asks you if you went out last night. “Actually, no,” you can say, “I was at Hom.” Hom is three distinct places all wrapped into one, with a different feel and scene for each. Enter on street level and you are in the middle space known as “Feast.” This French-Moroccan concept space has a modern finish, a menu that stays under, and for the most part well under, $15. Better still, the restaurant opens early and stays open late. After dining, choose between Liv downstairs, a casual lounge with acid jazz and house coming from the speakers, and the upper floor where you can hit the dance floor at “Play.” With a smoke-free interior and a huge upper outdoor deck, this is the place to be for a bit of butt shakin’.
Another spot where we’ve often found ourselves is, for us, the perfect sports bar. Picasso’s on Church Street has great bar food. Wings, of course, are a must and are awesome. Also a must-try—the homemade pizza rolls. I have friends who drive from Myers Park just to get them to go. They also have cheap drinks and good beer specials. Add in ample TV’s all over the place and a lively crowd when a good game is on and you have the ultimate for the sports fan. This is the place where we’ve met lots of new friends who have moved here from all over the country. We’ll be here all day and night on Sundays during football season when the Panthers are out of town. Seeing everyone in their hometown team gear is a great visual for just how far and wide so many of our neighbors have come from. Hats off to our friends from Cleveland, Indiana, Pittsburgh, Virginia, New York, and everywhere else. It was a lot of fun this past year watching all the games. GO PANTHERS!
What I’ve liked best about our move uptown is the fact that we walk to these places. None of them are more than a couple of blocks away. The walk itself can be quite entertaining considering the number of people on the streets at night now. Add in an event or a basketball tournament and the mix just gets better. Weekly the scenery changes as well, depending on what convention, event, or other draw that will bring thousands to town. Most are expected; some aren’t—at least for me—and really added great spice to the streets. One of my favorites was the square dance event at the Convention Center that had hundreds of couples in their hoedown best wandering the streets for 3 or 4 days. Hoop skirts and cowboy hats – yeehaw!
We’re still waiting for 3rd Ward Park, which seems to be on hold because of some issues with the baseball stadium. With luck, that project will break ground soon.
On the other hand, a big new change is in the wings and on the verge of opening. By the time this is printed it just might have some open doors. EpiCentre is nearly done! Located across from the Bobcats Arena and between two light-rail stops, it is pretty much at the epicenter of much of the activity in center city. It will have plenty of restaurants and bars (more are always welcome), although I don’t believe we need those as much as its other major features…A MOVIE THEATER AND A BOWLING ALLEY! There has been plenty to keep us occupied when we are in the mood to get out of the condo, but having movies a block away and an upscale (self described “Vegas-like”) bowling alley is the icing on the cake.
Speaking of alley, I can’t forget about Alley Cat. Located in the former location of Have A Nice Day Café and The Hut on College Street, the space is now home to a fantastic live music venue complete with food á la The Penguin on Thomas Street. Fried pickles, so good (yet so bad). Add in a big-block burger with chili…artery killer, but what a great meal! Work it off with a bit of dancing to the DJ or whatever band is on stage that night. If that’s too loud for you, acoustic music is always on tap on the outdoor patio.
I’m running out of space here, but have just enough for a brief recap of discoveries we’ve made and tidbits that make Uptown living so great: Light-rail jaunts to bars in South End, the Farmers Market across from Reid’s every summer weekend, Target and Home Depot in midtown, the New Orleans-style jazz band with over a dozen members that plays many nights on the sidewalks near The Square, the bar staff at Ruth’s Chris, street festivals and parades, and KO Sushi to go. I realize I’ve mostly mentioned places and buildings. Much more important than things are people. We’ve met such a broad array of folks that I consider friends: Berhan & Michael, Everett, Ray, Ertell, Sarah, Emmy, Brittney C., Vani & Finley, Big Country, Dave “sweater-neck”, Kevin & Leslie, Amanda, Jessica, the Cranes, Kim & John. I’m so glad we all got to have such a fun year; it’s been great getting to know everyone. I believe to become a well-rounded person you need influences from all types of folks, and this year has been a big one for new influences. Oh, Kelly and Shane, thanks for the intro to Simplified at Tilt!
I can’t say enough about how happy I’ve been with this move. From the new people we seem to meet weekly, to the constant change and new places that keep popping up to fill in whatever voids there were, it’s been a great year. Now, if we could just get a bit more retail…
~ Scott Lindsley
|
