The following article appears in the 10/22/24 edition of Axios Charlotte:
Introducing "Sugar Yards": The Asian Corner Mall townhome redevelopment
By Alexandria Sands
Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios
The shuttered Asian Corner Mall will be redeveloped as a mixed-use development called "Sugar Yards."
Why it matters: For decades, the strip mall and international market was a community hub. Last year, the fire department deemed it unsafe, and the aging building closed for good.
- Since then it's been known that the lifeless site at East Sugar Creek Road and Greensboro Street would be redeveloped with housing. The new owner is now revealing firmer details of those plans.
Zoom in: Charlotte developer Beauxwright, which owns 40% of the mall site, says the first phase will include 186 townhomes, ready for move-in by 2026.
- It's partnering with builder Toll Brothers on 119 lots with three-story townhomes, ranging from three to four bedrooms, with two-car garages.
- In a second neighborhood, Copper Builders will help construct build-for-rent townhomes on 67 lots.
Context: Before it closed, the Asian Corner Mall property housed two grocery stores, professional services, salons and restaurants, including the banh mi shop Le's Sandwiches and Cafe.
- Last year, the beloved sandwich spot reopened in a new space on the property.
The big picture: Sugar Yards is the latest evidence of NoDa's growth extending toward Sugar Creek, and how the Blue Line light rail continues to drive development nearly seven years after the extension opened.
- The Asian Corner Mall is near The Pass, an incoming development with 335 under-construction apartments on Raleigh Street. By the end of this year, it'll soon be home to one of Charlotte's favorite restaurants, Soul Gastrolounge, which closed in Plaza Midwood in 2022.
- It's also within walking distance to Independent Picture House and music venue Blackbox Theater.
The intrigue: Sugar Yards is the latest "Yards" to come to Charlotte, from Eastland Yards at the old Eastland Mall site to The RailYard in South End.
- "The name alludes to the rich heritage of the area, while painting a picture of a modern, progressive residential and mixed-use development," Chris Warren, principal at Beauxwright, said in a press release.
What's next: Site work begins this fall, Beauxwright says.
This is a developing story.