Developer outlines plan for rental townhomes near Northlake Mall

CHARLOTTE — Some developers want to the make the area around Northlake Mall more than a shopping destination -- despite fewer stores at the mall and recent violence.

Developers are working through plans for new housing in an area that’s already in the midst of change. Even as high-profile stores leave Northlake Mall, the mall continues to be a strong magnet for future development.

Renderings of the proposed project show the developer wants to build 350 rental townhomes near Northlake Centre Parkway and Prosser Way, north of Interstate 485. It’s less than a mile away from the Northlake Mall.

The rents for the units will be market-rate. Each unit will have a single family feel, with a backyard and access to amenities like a pool. The developer said the project is mainly geared to young professionals and empty nesters.

“We think this is terrifically located,” Collin Brown said.

The developer said they are in a perfect spot -- a short walk or drive away from jobs and the highway.

The Northlake Mall continues to attract new development like this. Two months ago, Charlotte City Council approved another 300 units nearby. Residents said they can see why people want to live near there.

“People live near the mall so they can go shopping and go eating,” one resident said.

The project has some opposition. An attorney for a neighboring apartment complex said this is the wrong type of development the city should be approving.

“It’s all rentals, so this is basically low-density rentals. It is all small rental houses,” Zachary Moretz said. “That is a concept we feel is yesterday’s news.”

The development continues despite a series of setbacks for Northlake. In August, the mall reported in North Carolina Business Court a 30% vacancy rate. Moody’s Analytics says regional and super malls are reporting an average 10.3% vacancy rate in the third quarter of this year.

There have also been high-profile incidents at the mall, like last week’s shooting that sent two people to the hospital.

Orrin Jackson says there’s too much happening there for him to be interested in living nearby.

“I wouldn’t want to live in this area,” he said. “This area you come in and you get out.”

The project could receive a vote by Charlotte City Council as soon as next month.

(WATCH BELOW: 2 shot at Northlake Mall; 2 adults and 1 teen charged, CMPD says)

2 shot at Northlake Mall; 2 adults and 1 teen charged, CMPD says

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