The first homes are underway at a development expected to be built out over the next decade in North Carolina's largest city.
Four homebuilders have acquired lots for 129 single-family homes and townhouses at the development's town center at the River District in Charlotte, North Carolina, according to master developer Crescent Communities. Sales are expected to begin in the spring and summer.
Crescent has spent years getting government approvals and permits for the 1,400-acre River District along the Catawba River on the western edge of the city. It's part of a homebuilding boom across the U.S. Sun Belt driven by residents moving for new jobs in temperate climates.
The development is approved for as many as 2,300 single-family homes and townhouses and up to 2,350 apartments. In addition to the homes, millions of square feet of shops, restaurants, offices and mixed-use space are planned. There will also be parks, trails and an urban farm, Crescent said.
"It's truly a master plan, not just a large subdivision," said Rainer Ficken, Crescent's senior managing director for the River District, in an interview.
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Houston-based David Weekley Homes, DRB Homes and Saussy Burbank will build detached homes on 40- and 50-foot-wide lots, according to Crescent. In addition, Toll Brothers and DRB are planning three-story townhouses, the master developer said.
David Weekley Homes has not yet released prices, but a spokesperson said floor plans will feature large front porches and three to six bedrooms. Options include flexible spaces, such as studies or bonus rooms, and some of the homes will have basements, according to the builder.
Charlotte-based Saussy Burbank's homes will be priced starting in the low $700,000s, with homes about 2,500 square feet, according to the company website. The first homes are expected to be ready by the end of the year.
DRB has not announced details but Toll said its townhouses will be priced from the $500,000s. The units will be up to 2,280 square feet and come with two designs of three and four bedrooms, according to the Fort Washington, Pennsylvania-based builder.
The River District town center, called Westrow, will have "farm-style" homes with neutral color palettes and wraparound porches, as well as "town-style" homes featuring brick masonry, metal roofs and darker, neutral tones.
The next batch of homes and townhouses will follow this year and next on more than 350 lots, Ficken said.
Charlotte's population is more than 900,000, making it the Tarheel State's largest city.