The site of one of Charlotte's best-known movie houses is in line for new construction. Plans have been filed with the City of Charlotte to redevelop the former Manor Theatre property on Providence Road into a mixed-use project with apartments and ground-floor retail, WCNC Charlotte reported.
What's planned
According to a land development construction plan filed with the city's Engineering and Land Development office, "The Manor" would include two multifamily buildings with ground-floor retail at 609 Providence Road. The record lists 107 apartment units on about 3.6 acres.
The property owner is SLRG Acquisitions, LLC, of Dallas. Land Design, a Charlotte firm, is listed as the applicant, with Chris Lawley as the key contact.
The city's project description says the developer has also committed to several off-site roadway improvements. Those commitments haven't been satisfied yet, according to the record. The plans include about 783 feet of new sidewalk along arterial roads and the addition or replacement of three curb ramps.
Where it stands
The record showed a status of "in progress" as of Oct. 22, WCNC reports. That means the plans are under city review and have not been approved.
The site is zoned general commercial. City records indicate the project isn't tied to a conditional rezoning and doesn't propose any affordable housing units.
That zoning detail is worth noting. Because the project isn't going through a conditional rezoning, it appears to be moving forward under the site's existing general commercial zoning, through the city's engineering and land development review instead of a rezoning petition.
WCNC's report did not list a construction cost, timeline or general contractor for the project.
A look back
The Regal Manor Theatre in Myers Park announced in May 2020 that it would close permanently after 73 years in business, WCNC reports.
At the time, Josh Page, COO of Eastern Federal Corporation, said the company had been part of the Manor's "long legacy," first as operator and later as landlord. "As owners of the property for over 75 years, we are going to carefully consider our alternatives and be very mindful of the importance of this property to Charlotte," Page said then.
Regal said it would keep offering art and independent films at its other Charlotte-area theaters. The Manor's closing left a gap for that kind of film in the city. In June 2022, the nonprofit Independent Picture House opened at 4237 Raleigh St. in NoDa after the Charlotte Film Society raised more than $600,000 to open it.
Why it matters for contractors
Infill sites in Charlotte's established neighborhoods don't come along often, and Myers Park and Eastover are among the city's most sought-after addresses. A 107-unit project with two buildings and ground-floor retail on a 3.6-acre site means a sizable job for multifamily builders and the subs behind them, from demolition and site prep to concrete, framing, MEP, finishes and storefront work for the retail space.
The off-site work is a project of its own. Close to 800 feet of new sidewalk and three curb ramps along arterial roads is the kind of public right-of-way work that site and concrete contractors bid on, and it has to meet city standards and pass city inspections.
Building on a busy stretch of Providence Road also brings challenges. Contractors should plan for tight staging, traffic control and careful scheduling around nearby homes and businesses.
The plans are still under review, so there's time. General contractors and subs who want a shot at this work should keep an eye on the city's land development records for the project's status and watch for the owner to name a builder. Once the plans are approved, bidding could follow quickly.
More broadly, the project shows how former single-use commercial sites in Charlotte's inner neighborhoods are being redeveloped as housing and retail. Each of these sites is a chance for local builders to land a job close to the center of the city.