Transforming 12 acres in the heart of the neighborhood, Commonwealth will offer the community a bustling hub of apartments, mix of retailers and restaurants, and Class A office space. To stave off the commercialized feel of high-rises in the community, each building is designed with unique features and varying heights, adding depth, dimension, and character to the development.

Preserving History

Two historic brick mill buildings on-site will be preserved and incorporated into the development. With the addition of a rooftop terrace, the existing vintage office space is converted to retail. The 20,000-SF retail building currently bordering Central Ave and the CSX rail undergoes a phased remodel to upfit the space for contemporary shopping.

To supplement the transformation of the existing office space into retail, a six-story Class A office building with rooftop terrace is added, as well as ample parking in a two-story below-grade garage. In pursuit of Fitwel and LEED certifications, the office building offers tenants a high-performing, energy-efficient Variant Refrigerant Flow (VRF) HVAC system for optimum health and wellness of patrons, visitors, and residents of the development.

Multi-Family

Boasting six stories and offering residents 383 wood-framed, elegant apartments, the 755,000-SF multi-family complex anchors the development. The accompanying parking structure is two-level cast-in-place concrete and four levels of precast with additional spaces for bike parking. Beneath the apartments, residents will be able to enjoy ground-level retail with quick access to premier boutiques and various dining options.

Greenspace

A pedestrian-focused “main street” throughout the development is filled with green space to enjoy a sense of community and the outdoors, with ample space for local artwork and an additional 34 pull-in parking spaces.

Planning with Precision

With more than a year devoted to preconstruction efforts, the Charlotte team works through price hikes caused by the pandemic supply chain concerns, constructing phasing, and structural examinations. Utilizing 4D scheduling through Choate’s VirtualWorks team, a BIM model is created to help guide construction planning.

In addition to the VDC planning and site coordination, the project team works to lower the water table in order to build the below-grade parking deck. As it is within five feet of the development’s office area, the water table is lowered and a 30-inch structural mat slab is placed, along with uplift anchors to resist the vertical force of the water and preserve the concrete slab foundation.

Safety First

Bordered by Highway 74 and the CSX rail line, the project team has a tight site to work with and prioritizes safe access to existing tenants 24/7. As such, the demolition and relocation of seven existing buildings and two interior spaces requires detailed planning and coordination to accomplish safely.