Charlotte Plaza debuts plans for $14 million renovation

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Rabina Properties, the new owner of Charlotte Plaza, is embarking on a major modernization to reflect how people work. The $14 million renovation of the dramatic tower that defines the corner of College and 4^th Streets will create an immersive workplace experience that will change the way Charlotte interacts with the block.

“In our renovation of Charlotte Plaza, we are going to light the building from within,” says John Gaulden, co-managing director at the Charlotte office of Gensler, the architectural firm leading the renovation. “In stark contrast to its darker, reflective exterior, our interior renovation is designed to project a new sense of light, with open spaces and gathering places that spark creativity and focused collaboration.”

When the renovation is complete, the first thing you’ll notice is that you can see into the building. Instead of a dark glass wall, a clear, inviting entry welcomes tenants and their guests. Light continues to be a driving factor as you step inside. Natural light pours into the building, and sculptural light forms anchor new escalators and provide a toolbox of tech-enhanced features for this modern environment.

  As Foundry Commercial Managing Director Mark Holoman explains, “This leading-edge renovation will strengthen Charlotte Plaza’s position as the most connected building in Center City Charlotte. Our tenants enjoy the best access to Uptown’s financial campuses, the Overstreet Mall, entertainment centers, a newly branded parking garage, two public plazas, the transportation center, and our growing light rail system. Current and future tenants will benefit from experience-driven interior and exterior enhancements for years to come.”

To make navigation easier from the street, Charlotte Plaza will announce its new brand with modern logo signage placed on the tower and parking garage. New brand signage, pavers and planters will further define the front of the building.

The 27-floor building, which opened in 1982, is currently 92 percent leased. The Charlotte School of Law secured 10 floors totaling 243,000 square feet in 2012. Other significant tenants include Grant Thornton, CITCO, Capgemini, CBRE, Robert Half International, and Hamilton, Stephens, Steele & Martin. Retail tenants include Bentley’s on 27, Starbucks, Showmars, Panera Bread and the Carolina Ale House.

“We are extremely excited about our 2015 acquisition of Charlotte Plaza and the plans we’ve developed for its renovation,” says Rabina Properties President Mickey Rabina. “In terms of growth, economic viability, lifestyle and vibrancy, there is no city in the country quite like Charlotte. We are proud to be part of the future of what we consider to be the most visionary and promising metropolitan area in the Mid-Atlantic.”

201 S. College Street, Charlotte

27 stories, 388 feet tall

Current size: 645,000 square feet of Class A office and retail space.

$14 million project

Rabina Properties, building owner

Gensler, architects

Foundry Commercial, office leasing, project management