Southpark

 

Fortune 500 offices, some of the most exclusive shopping in the United States, and elegant estates in gated communities are what you will find here. It is one of the biggest business centers in North Carolina, yet it is just a quick drive from entertainment and family fun. Oh, and don't forget the outstanding school district. 

 

 

If you think Uptown is all there is to Charlotte, you have never been to Southpark. Defined as the area surrounding Southpark Mall, the neighborhood in South Charlotte is about 6 miles south of Uptown and has a reputation for attracting residents who like a little luxury. It also attracts about 67,000 employees who work at places like Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Nucor, SunTrust, and Piedmont Natural Gas. The schools here are some of the best in the state, and the neighborhoods are established and nestled away with wooded lots and tree-lined streets. Whether you work in the area and hate sitting in traffic or you want to raise your family in a semi-urban environment with some perks of the suburbs, Southpark is a wonderful place to call home.

 

Based on billions of social media posts, these scores show how common certain lifestyles and interests are here.

 

 

History

Textile mills, railroads, and the discovery of gold all helped turned Charlotte into the major American business hub it is today, but the Southpark neighborhood was once a 3,000-acre farm. North Carolina Governor and U.S. Senator Cameron Morrison owned it. Morrison built a 14,000 square-foot home there called Morrocroft during the 1920s, and the Tudor Revival/Colonial Revival residence still stands today. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and represents the beauty and appreciation for fine architecture that is prevalent in Southpark today.

 

Quick Facts

• Population: 17,765
  
  
• Southpark Mall is the largest mall in all of North Carolina. On Black Friday, it is often the busiest mall in the United States. People come from all over the region to shop at many of the area’s exclusive designer stores and boutiques.
  
  
• Southpark is home to the Harris YMCA which is popular with residents of all ages who want to have fun and stay in shape. Kids can sign up for summer programs like day camps, dance, baseball, basketball, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, and much more.
  
  
• Throughout the summer, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra plays its Summer Pops series in Southpark at Symphony Park behind the mall.
  
  
• Every year on Thanksgiving, the community gathers at Symphony Park for another annual tradition: the Christmas tree lighting.

Local Attractions

Some of the top shopping and dining destinations in the Southeastern United States are located in Southpark. No matter what cuisine you crave or what favorite upscale designer you love to shop for, you will find it in the Southpark community. That makes up for the fact that you may have to drive just 6 miles into Uptown Charlotte for other types of entertainment like amusement parks, sports, and concerts.

 

Dining

• Baoding – When Charlotte wants Chinese food, it comes to Baoding. Great prices, fresh ingredients, and a pleasant atmosphere all make it inviting, but it is the traditional Asian cuisine that really attracts people from all over town to the Southpark area.
  
  
• The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar – This may be the most popular restaurant in the Southpark area. The brightly-decorated eatery is part burger joint, part sushi bar. Its milkshakes, beers, and martinis are all popular with diners, as are the sushi rolls made into burgers.
  
  
• Good Food on Montford – The trendy restaurant Good Food on Montford’s name speaks for itself. The tapas-style eatery is one of the top dining destinations in the Charlotte area and has received national recognition for its delicious food and inviting atmosphere.
  
  
• Paco's Tacos & Tequila – One of Charlotte’s favorite Tex-Mex joints is also located in Southpark. Freshly-made tortillas, spices imported straight from Texas, and over 100 varieties of tequila are what makes this restaurant a standout for residents and visitors.

Transportation

• Charlotte Douglas International Airport – One of the great things about living in Southpark is that it is just over 10 miles from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world. This makes business travel, as well vacation getaways a breeze.
  
  
• Charlotte Area Transit System – Charlotte’s public transportation system, known as Charlotte Area Transit System or CATS, has a few buses that run through the Southpark neighborhood.

Shopping

• Southpark Mall– Southpark Mall is the place to shop in Southpark, and one of the most popular places to shop in all of North Carolina. The upscale mall is home to numerous restaurants and stores such as Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, American Girl, Michael Kors, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, H&M, Gap, Lilly Pulitzer, Tiffany & Co., and more.
  
  
• Phillips Place – Another upscale retail center in the area is Phillips Place. The Main Street layout with its benches and beautiful landscaping is home to stores and restaurants like The Palm Restaurant, Restoration Hardware, Coplon's, Modern Salon and Spa, Brooks Brothers, Paper Source, and Eileen Fisher.
  
  
• Specialty Shops Southpark – The Specialty Shops is another excellent shopping destination. It is home to restaurants, businesses, and stores like Talbots, Williams Sonoma, Bedside Manor, and Ivy & Leo.

Things To Do

• Carowinds – Located about 10 miles southwest of Southpark, Carowinds is one of the most exciting amusement parks in the region. It is home to dozens of rides, including The Intimidator roller coaster, the biggest and fastest coaster in the Southeast. Live entertainment, Planet Snoopy, and Boomerang Bay are other options for family fun at Carowinds.
  
  
• Bank of America Stadium – Just 6 miles north of Southpark is Bank of America Stadium, home to the Carolina Panthers. Catch NFL home games throughout the fall and winter, as well as other special events during the year. Fans can also tour the stadium most days.
  
  
• Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden – Nature lovers can head about 25 miles west to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in nearby Belmont, North Carolina. Nature trails guide visitors throughout the many gardens and exhibits, and there is always something in bloom year-round.
  
  
• Discovery Place – If you have children, you will want to make the 7-mile drive to Discovery Place in Uptown Charlotte for a fun and educational experience. The museum provides hands-on and interactive exhibits where people of all ages can learn about science, math, and technology. It also has an IMAX theater.
  
  
• Blumenthal Performing Arts Center – Speaking of theaters, leave the kids at home with a sitter and have a date night at Belk Theater which is just 6 miles north of Southpark. Broadway shows, the Charlotte Symphony, standup comedy, and concerts from some of the top artists in the nations are just a few of the regular events offered at the facility.

Real Estate Information

The Southpark neighborhood is largely upscale, and the residences in the area reflect that. From the high-end condos to the million-dollar estates, you can truly live a life of luxury here. Unlike many of Charlotte’s communities and suburbs where most of the houses were built over the last decade or two, Southpark’s homes are more established with many dating back to the 1970s and 1980s, though there is a little new construction spread throughout. As for the style of homes, you’ll find mid-century ranches, split levels, and traditional two-story brick residences, as well as styles like Georgians, English Tudors, and homes resembling Italian villas. Gourmet kitchens, swimming pools, immaculate landscaping, and 3 and 4-car garages are typical characteristics. Southpark is home to many gated communities, as well as neighborhoods with pools, clubhouses, and tennis courts.