‘Green walls’ business flourishing as real estate pros get creative

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Initially, it was thought a mural would provide a needed splash of color to a former big-box store — recently converted into an office building — in south Charlotte.

There was contrast between the entrance, painted white, and the black asphalt parking lot leading up to the building, Arrowood South. But there was too much visual emphasis on the parking lot itself.

“It needed some kind of pop,” said Colin Brothers, principal at Artesia Real Estate, the Austin, Texas, developer of Arrowood South.

Instead of a mural, Brothers said he became intrigued by another concept from a business based in Charlotte. The company, Suite Plants, creates plant walls — from real and artificial plants, as well as moss — for commercial properties like office buildings, retail centers, restaurants and apartment buildings.

Eric Westerduin, president at Suite Plants, said the company graphic designer sketched up a few designs for the front exterior wall of Arrowood South.

Of course, Artesia most liked the one Westerduin felt would be difficult to pull off: a curved, wavelike pattern, set between several windows looking out to the parking lot.

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“Well, now that we’ve got them hooked on this idea, we’ve got to figure out how to do it,” Westerduin said.

A few weeks ago, Suite Plants created and installed a 2,780-square-foot, faux-plant design across the 223-foot facade. Westerduin, whose company completes more than 100 green walls each year, said it was the most interesting and complex artificial-wall project Suite Plants has completed so far in its eight-year history.

CBJ talked with Westerduin about how he’s built the business and what trends are driving its growth. Read the full story here.

Cox Media Group