Vantage South End

Just a short walk to the light rail, Uptown Charlotte, and South End’s energetic mix of restaurants and retail, Vantage South End redefines an underutilized five-acre site into an urban mixed-use destination. Blending intentional placemaking with ecological resilience, the project links Uptown and South End together through intentional green spaces, functional infrastructure, and an engaging public realm.

A hierarchal system of zones clearly delineates corporate and public spaces while maintaining openness, flexibility, and connectivity. At its core, an immersive sunken plaza creates compelling interplay between terraces, streetscape, and planted forms. The rich palette of plantings and various layered textures foster visual intrigue while reinforcing the site’s ecological health. With catenary lighting illuminating the courtyard spaces below, Vantage seamlessly transitions from day to night. The result is an immersive urban oasis that enhances connectivity while elevating the everyday experience.

Creating a thriving new district on a constrained urban site called for solutions that balanced technical precision with experiential quality. Significant grade changes and stormwater conditions had to be resolved without sacrificing accessibility or overall aesthetics, while underground relocation of utilities and the concealing of drains through planter and paver forms were essential to maintaining clean, cohesive views.

To achieve this, LandDesign’s civil engineers and landscape architects worked in close collaboration to integrate infrastructure seamlessly into the design. Utilities were relocated underground along the primary edges of the development, preventing visual distractions and preserving the pedestrian experience. Additionally, a large transformer was discreetly incorporated into the parking deck, creating a dedicated utility yard without impacting usable space. Hidden below the surface, a multi-layered drainage system was incorporated, featuring a 60-inch outfall pipe and detention sized for a 50-year storm to effectively manage runoff. Surface systems such as trench drains, underdrains, and integrated planter drainage work in harmony with the underground infrastructure, blending seamlessly into the site’s design. Together, these technical strategies ensure long-term performance and everyday comfort, creating a public realm that functions as beautifully as it looks.