SouthPark is a large neighborhood and edge city in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Its name is derived from the upscale SouthPark Mall, which opened on February 12, 1970. At nearly 1.8 million square feet, SouthPark Mall is the largest shopping mall in Charlotte and all of North Carolina.
The area is geographically centered at the intersection of Fairview Road and Sharon Road in the south central sector of the city, about six miles south of Uptown Charlotte. In addition to being home to the mall, SouthPark is also a residential area and one of the largest business districts in Charlotte and the state of North Carolina, with an estimated 40,000 employees. Some place SouthPark akin to Atlanta's Perimeter Center district. Seventeen photographs of the area around South Park and Phillips Place, taken in the year 2000, are displayed as part of an exhibit on the Charlotte Mecklenburg Story website.
History
The neighborhood was once a part of a 3,000-acre (1,200Â ha) farm owned by former North Carolina Governor Cameron Morrison. Directly adjacent to SouthPark Mall is Morrison Boulevard, which connects SouthPark with the Barclay Downs neighborhood.
Demographics
As of 2010, SouthPark had a population of 16,549. The racial makeup of the neighborhood was 89.1% White American, 3.7% Black or African American, 2.5% Asian American, and 1.6% of some other race. Hispanic or Latino American of any race were 3.1% of the population. The median household income for the area was $90,851.
Transportation infrastructure
Mass transit
The following buses from the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) serve SouthPark:
- #19 (Park Road)
- #20 (Sharon Road)
- #29 (UNC Charlotte/Crosstown)
- #30 (Woodlawn/Crosstown)
- #57 (Archdale/SouthPark)
SouthPark serves as a transit hub with the SouthPark Community Transit Center, which is located on the parking deck of the SouthPark Mall, between Belk and Dillard's. The hub also serves as a transfer point to several stations along the Lynx Blue Line light rail.
Roads
Fairview Road (which turns into Tyvola Road), Colony Road, Park Road, Sharon Road, Sharon Lane, and Morrison Boulevard are important thoroughfares in SouthPark. Interstate 77 also serves SouthPark via Tyvola Road.
Economy
SouthPark is the home to the Fortune 300 company Nucor, as well as Dixon Hughes Goodman, National Gypsum, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, AmWINS Group, Carolinas AGC and Piedmont Natural Gas. Fluor, Bank of America Mortgage, First Citizens Bank, SunTrust Banks and CSX have major divisional operations located in SouthPark.
Shopping
Within the limits of SouthPark, the upscale SouthPark Mall features many high-end designers and boutiques such as Kate Spade, Burberry, Tiffany & Co, Hermès, Kenneth Cole, American Girl, Polo Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, Juicy Couture, Louis Vuitton, Coach, Cole Haan, and many others. SouthPark Mall is also anchored by Dillard's (formerly Ivey's), the flagship store for Belk, North Carolina's second Nordstrom, the state's only Neiman Marcus, and Macy's (formerly Hecht's). Dick's Sporting Goods and The Container Store serve as additional anchors at the mall. The Village at SouthPark recently opened adjacent to the Dillard's store. The Village at South Park features Crate & Barrel, Design within Reach, and popular restaurants. Other shopping complexes such as Phillips Place are within a close radius to SouthPark Mall and feature a diverse mix of tenants including Taylor Richards & Conger, Allen Edmonds, Brooks Brothers, Orvis, Restoration Hardware, and Dean and Deluca.
SouthPark is the most congested shopping area in the United States during Black Friday weekend.
Healthcare
Carolinas Medical Center, owned and operated by Carolinas Healthcare System, serves SouthPark and surrounding areas. Carolinas Healthcare System recently opened a new medical office complex within SouthPark featuring a medical office tower. Local community hospitals also serve SouthPark and its outlying areas.
Education and library
School systems
Residents of SouthPark attend Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, including Beverly Woods Elementary, Selwyn Elementary, Sharon Elementary, Alexander Graham Middle, Carmel Middle, Myers Park High School and South Mecklenburg High School. Charlotte Country Day School is on the eastern edge of SouthPark.
Library
SouthPark is served by the Morrison branch of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
Sites of interest
- Morrocroft Mansion
- The architecturally notable Rotunda Building is located in SouthPark.
- The Symphony Park amphitheater at SouthPark is home to Charlotte Symphony’s Summer Pops concerts.
- SouthPark Mall hosts an annual Christmas tree lighting on or around Thanksgiving Day.
See also
- Charlotte metropolitan area
References
External links
- SouthPark travel guide from Wikivoyage