News
Portman Holdings, Foundry Commercial Unveil Brand-new Office & Retail Renderings, Offering a Glimpse Into How the Development Will Bring New Life to Historic Site
Charlotte, N.C. (Nov. 16, 2021) – When it was announced late last year that Portman Holdings would be converting a 105-year-old textile mill into a mixed-use community adjacent to Charlotte’s Historic West End, ears perked up as many wondered how the historic property would be reimagined for the 21st century. Today, Portman released new renderings showcasing both the office and retail elements of the development, in addition to an outdoor amphitheater, green spaces, a rooftop deck, and a community-centric plaza. The imagery also showcases how the mill will stand in relation to the adjacent residential community being developed by the Atlanta-based firm’s residential arm, Portman Residential.
When completed, the Savona Mill campus will encompass approximately 200,000 square feet of creative office and retail space, as well as 600 or more units of multi-family residences. Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, Portman tailored the project design toward the consumer’s renewed interest in fresh air and outdoor spaces and highlighted access to the Stewart Creek Greenway along the North edge of the property, providing a direct link to Uptown Charlotte.
“If you ever set foot in Savona Mill, you know what a special building it is and the role it has played in the fabric of this community. When we were forming plans for the redevelopment, it was important that we pay homage to the original building by keeping many of the elements – such as reused wood flooring, wherever possible – in the design. We are thrilled to revitalize such a special place for its next chapter, and hope that the local Charlotte community will enjoy the space in the ways we have envisioned,” said Travis Garland, Executive Vice President, Portman Holdings.
Foundry Commercial will be handling office and retail leasing at Savona Mill on behalf of Portman Holdings.
“As we look around the market and talk with prospects, it’s becoming clear that more companies are making their real estate decisions based on the quality of the space itself. In our business, it is easy to say a project is ‘unique,’ but Savona really is one of those rare instances where we are delivering the quality of new construction and combining it with a historic structure that truly differentiates it from others in the market. People are going to fall in love with it,” said John Ball, Partner, Foundry Commercial.
Demolition and site prep work for the adaptive reuse project has already started, with major vertical construction expected to get underway in early 2022. Completion of the Savona Mill office and retail development is expected to deliver in early 2023 with the first phase of residential set to arrive later in 2023.
Portman Holdings has developed several notable Charlotte projects, including The Westin Charlotte and 615 South College in Uptown. Additionally, Portman will soon complete construction on The Line, a 293,000 SF Class-AA office and retail project in Sound End that will be home to Sycamore Brewing’s new space and a public plaza that opens to the Blue Line Rail Trail. Portman Residential is set to break ground on the adjacent property at 2161 Hawkins for a 25-story luxury apartment tower in early 2022, following Sycamore’s relocation.
The project team for the office and retail components of Savona Mill includes Durham-based Alliance Architecture as lead designers, Charlotte-based Edifice as general contractor, the Charlotte office of Kimley-Horn for civil engineering, and Durham-based Surface 678 for landscape design. Foundry Commercial’s John Ball, Cody Sundberg, and Claiborne Dandridge will be leasing the office space at Savona Mill. Keely Hines will be handling retail leasing. For leasing inquiries, call 704-523-0272.
About Portman Holdings
Throughout the past 62 years, Portman Holdings has developed over 65 million square-feet of premium real estate around the world with a focus on hospitality, office and mixed-use properties. The vertically integrated real estate development, investment and management company commands a successful global network and has a proven track record with the world’s top financial institutions. Teams in the company’s global offices seamlessly connect to develop, finance and manage a diverse portfolio in the world’s core and emerging markets. Portman Holdings continues to achieve success through investor, partner and client relationships that deliver exceptional real estate projects. For additional information, visit www.portmanholdings.com
About Foundry Commercial
Foundry Commercial is a full-service real estate services and investment company with over 380 employees and more than 60 million square feet of management and leasing across the Sun Belt. Since 2007, Foundry has provided leasing, brokerage, building management, corporate services, and project management services, and is the largest real estate service provider to religious and not-for-profit organizations in the country. Foundry also includes a development and investment platform that is fully integrated into its services business, leveraging its local market expertise to control more than $1.5 billion in advantaged investment opportunities with their JV partners. For more information, visit www.foundrycommercial.com.