THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Section: BUSINESS - THE NEXT BIG THING
Page: 4-5D
DOUG SMITH, Staff Writer

A VERDANT VISION FOR CENTRAL AVENUE
New condos to preserve trees and vegetation

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One of east Charlotte’s most promising Next Big Things has grown since it was first reported here four weeks ago.

Charlotte’s Tuscan Development plans more residential construction across Central Avenue from The Vyne, another developer’s previously announced condos at Central and Briar Creek Road.

The first phase of Tuscan’s $17 million development – Duo at CBC – will be 58 duplex condos constructed among the trees, said Tuscan President Ray “Rip” Farris III.

The 8.5-acre site’s second phase of condos will “push the architectural envelope” with a similar approach, but details won’t be unveiled until the duplexes sell out, he said.

While planning was under way for the initial phase, Farris said, the 37-year-old, 155-unit Birchcroft apartments became available for purchase next door at 3143 Central Ave.

He said Tuscan has just come to terms with the owner to buy and redevelop that site. Farris said it’s too early to be specific about plans, but “I can say our project is getting ready to triple in size and offer a diverse range of elements.”

The new focus on Central – a diverse commercial, ethnic and residential corridor of east Charlotte – has the support of elected officials and is attracting communitywide attention.

The American Institute of Architects’ Charlotte chapter, for example, received a $15,000 grant from the national AIA toward a study to help businesses and residents create a vision for a yet-to-be identified section of Central Avenue.

“We want to gain a clear visual picture of how they want to see their community developed ... we want to be their hands, eyes and ears,” said AIA Charlotte’s Phil Kuttner, CEO of Little Diversified Architectural Consulting.

The study team looked at Central-Briar Creek, he said, but its target area probably won’t be decided before mid-June.

City councilwoman Patsy Kinsey, whose District 1 includes the Central-Briar Creek intersection, said she is encouraged by the interest she sees there.

“I think Central is going to be a hot spot,” she said. “I’ve seen Tuscan’s plan, and I feel good about the way it fits in with the Central Avenue corridor.”

Before deciding on the duplexes, developer Farris said his team considered a larger 190-unit multifamily development but changed its mind.

The initial plan “optimized unit count and had structured parking but didn’t take advantage of the uniqueness of the site,” he said. “We threw those plans away and brainstormed alternatives.”

The new “minimalist design” approach complements the terrain, and the duplexes save more of the mature pines, cedars and oaks on the property, Farris said.

Project manager Allison Merriman said Tuscan surveyed all of the trees on the property and in some cases adjusted the street layout to preserve them.

She said the site’s trees and vegetation would give duplex owners a greater sense of privacy. The 29 buildings mimic the scale of nearby houses in the Merry Oaks and Morningside/Commonwealth neighborhoods.

Tuscan involved the neighborhood associations in the planning and will offer them an incentive – perhaps a finder’s fee – for referring buyers to the condos.

Tom Poston, president of the Merry Oaks Neighborhood Association and a 15-year resident, said neighbors are glad to see residential rather than retail development on the site.

“The design looks good so far, and it’s not as dense as it could have been,” he said.

The area is primed for redevelopment because of its proximity to uptown about three miles away, Independence Boulevard, the freeway loop and the revitalized Plaza-Midwood commercial hub.

Farris said Tuscan was attracted by the neighborhood’s diversity and wants to build homes in a range to promote it rather than price out current residents.

The two- and three-room duplexes, 1,132 to 1,499 square feet, will be priced from about $200,000 to $240,000.

“We have been patient, carefully designing a project that does not compete with anyone in our market,” Farris said. “We feel we’ve discovered an untapped market, and already, the first five have been sold.”

Tuscan will start building a model unit in two weeks and finish it in the third quarter. Buyers are to begin occupying condos in about 12 months, Farris said.

Across Central at The Vyne, a 99-unit project priced from the $120,000s to the $180,000s, Citiline Resortline Development and Construction has sold 20 of 66 first-phase condos, said Citiline’s Tim Crawford.

The company expects to start construction of the first two buildings on the 4-acre site in September, he said.

DUO AT A GLANCE

• Size: 58 two-and three-bedroom duplex condos on 8.5 acres at Central Avenue and Briar Creek Road in east Charlotte.

• Price: $200,000 to $240,000, choice of four open floor plans.

• Design: Minimized to save trees and reduce impact on wooded, rolling topography. Building exteriors clad mainly in natural wood.

• Features: Extensive use of sustainable materials, “rain chains” instead of gutters to reduce water runoff, energy-efficient appliances, windows positioned for optimal lighting. Bamboo floors, carpet tile from recycled materials are optional upgrades.

• Developer: Tuscan Development.

• Architect: BB+M Architecture.

• Sales: My Townhome Realty. Reservations to be taken starting June 13. Sales event planned for June 21 at The Watermark, 1355 Greenwood Cliff.

• Information: www.duoatcbc.com.

Doug Smith: 704-358-5174; dougsmith@charlotteobserver.com