Charlotte, NC
Ballantyne Reimagined
A New Urban Epicenter for a Visionary Community
status
Ongoing
client
Northwood Development
expertise
Mixed Use, Public Infrastructure, Public Realm + Open Space, Retail
services
Master Planning Landscape Architecture Land Planning
Setting a New Standard for Place
Introducing density and diversity of development to position this successful master planned community as an urban destination.
LandDesign is currently involved with laying the foundation for the first urban, mixed-use district at Ballantyne, one of the Southeast’s largest and most successful master planned communities. Initially developed in the 1990s, Ballantyne established itself as a sought-out neighborhood for growing families and employment centers. After decades of success, Northwood Development recognized the opportunity to redevelop Ballantyne’s 535-acre corporate park and enrich the community experience by densifying and diversifying the development program. This redevelopment effort, known as Ballantyne Reimagined, will transform the corporate park into the downtown Ballantyne never had.
With over four decades of experience navigating Charlotte’s entitlement, permitting, and zoning process, along with leading the master planning for the original golf course at Ballantyne in the 1990s, LandDesign had the expertise necessary to implement the complex master plan. We approached the master plan with the goal to increase flexibility to mitigate future infrastructure strain and integrate a vibrant mix of uses to create an 18-hour destination. LandDesign is leading nearly every facet of Ballantyne Reimagined, including roadway and utility improvements, parks and open spaces, multi-modal networks, greenway connectivity, the retail and entertainment district, and residential towers.
For two decades, Ballantyne was developed as a suburban community defined by office parks and premier golf courses. With 17,000 employees occupying the corporate park and over 70,000 residents, Ballantyne was not faced with a growth problem. It was missing the connective tissue that makes people want to stay and explore. Ballantyne Reimagined will be an energetic, urban district that offers a cross-generational experience. Rather than simply implementing a development program, we sought to create a strong sense of community through an infusion of uses and experiences–bridging the gap between work and home. The Bowl, a dynamic retail, dining, and entertainment district, will serve as Ballantyne’s living room, inviting people to stroll, shop, and socialize. A vibrant public realm with shaded streetscapes, signature parks, and an internal network of multi-modal trails will promote an accessible and walkable environment. Once completed, Ballantyne Reimagined will be a cultural magnet and economic driver for the region, setting the tone for future urbanization efforts in the Southeast.
Urban Spirit, Ballantyne Style
The Bowl at Ballantyne Reimagined is a dynamic, multi-generational destination where diverse programming blends seamlessly with retail, dining, and entertainment. This vibrant community hub offers a unique urban experience, inviting people of all ages to connect and enjoy a rich array of cultural and social activities.
Transforming this car-centric environment into a pedestrian-friendly community began with repurposing underutilized spaces into public open space. The six-acre golf course at the Ballantyne Hotel presented our team with the ideal setting for a signature park, known as Stream Park. The site’s complex topography creates a multi-dimensional experience with meandering trails, play areas, garden rooms, and expansive lawns. A restored stream immerses the park in a thriving natural habitat, and a retention pond collects and treats runoff while functioning as a visual amenity for park guests.
To enhance connectivity, Ballantyne Reimagined connects to Mecklenburg County’s regional trail system with 20 miles of multi-use trails and greenways integrated throughout the community. As a frequent consultant to the county, LandDesign established a critical connection to McAlpine Greenway, enhancing accessibility from Ballantyne Reimagined to the greater recreational system. Together, these elements showcase a holistic approach to creating a thriving natural environment and a welcoming space for the public to socialize, recreate, and play.
Amplifying Ballantyne's Vibrant Pulse
The Amp seamlessly merges a stormwater pond with an outdoor amphitheater, creating a distinctive venue in the heart of Ballantyne. Nestled between The Bowl and Stream Park, The Amp hosts live shows, festivals, fitness classes, markets, and more. This dynamic space features multi-purpose areas for concessions and food trucks, along with a unique tiered lawn, offering a versatile and memorable experience.
Engineering for Restoration
At Stream Park, we coordinated across six specialized disciplines to implement infrastructure improvements, including retrofitting the golf course pond to support with stormwater management and relocating a 15″ Charlotte Water sanitary sewer line. Learn more about our approach to functional, yet innovative infrastructure at Ballantyne Reimagined.
Navigating Public-Private-Partnerships
For decades, Ballantyne has built a reputation for being an exclusive community. However, Northwood Development challenged that stigma by intentionally forming relationships with local leaders to create community benefit beyond Ballantyne. LandDesign helped create alignment between all stakeholders to find alternative funding solutions for greenway connectivity, infrastructure improvement, and future transit linkages.
Physical
Establish a flexible, forward-thinking infrastructure system that can accommodate long-term growth and evolve to meet future demand
Functional
Infuse a mix of uses and experiences that offer something for everyone, contributing to the creation of a one-of-a-kind urban destination
Social
Activate the public realm through urban parks, walkable streets, and greenway connections that create regional value
Physical
Establish a flexible, forward-thinking infrastructure system that can accommodate long-term growth and evolve to meet future demand
Functional
Infuse a mix of uses and experiences that offer something for everyone, contributing to the creation of a one-of-a-kind urban destination
Social
Activate the public realm through urban parks, walkable streets, and greenway connections that create regional value
LandDesign’s multi-disciplinary perspective has been valuable in implementing this complex master plan due to their understanding of the local development process and how to best collaborate with public entities who are critical partners for a successful outcome.
— Clifton Coble, Senior Vice President, Northwood Development
Dive Deeper
Ballantyne Reimagined required everything we have to offer — our experience in master planning, approach to adaptable infrastructure, and expertise in open space design. Ready to dive deeper into the details? Check out this episode of Pragmatic Visions where our LandDesigners share their first-hand experience with shepherding this visionary master plan.
