Ballantyne 2011 A Year in Review
Go-Ballantyne
Ballantyne Magazine Online
Ballantyne Breakfast Club
Ballantyne Continues to Exceed Expectations
Since 1998, the Ballantyne area has emerged as one of the fastest growing employment and residential centers in the United States with a total tax base of $2 billion, including over $700 million in the Ballantyne Corporate Park.
The Ballantyne area includes over 30 Fortune 500 companies, over 14,000 office, retail and hospitality jobs, thousands of single family and multifamily residential units, 250,000 plus sf of retail, and over 250,000 plus sf of medical office space. In addition, the Ballantyne area has attracted over 5,000 new jobs in the past three years.
In 2011 construction was started on the new HQ's building for the SPX Company and Honda Financial. In addition to these two projects the Bissell Companies has under construction two 10-story office buildings with over 550,000 square feet of class "A" office space coming online in 2012. This construction represents the largest speculative office project in the United States.
In order to meet the growing need for more space a rezoning was approved in 2011 to increase the existing zoning of 5 million sf by an additional 1.6 million square feet. This was done to meet the need of clients seeking to relocate here.
About Ballantyne
Ballantyne was a former 2,000 acre hunting preserve located in South Charlotte. In the early 1990 the Harris and Bissell families who were the owners of this property decided to develop a master planned community which they named Ballantyne. Located in South Charlotte just south of Charlotte's I-485 Beltway the area offers an outstanding location with attractive demographics. Ballantyne is served by several major transportation corridors and multiple interchanges along the I-485 Beltway. These provide for easy access to I-85, I-77, nearby South Carolina, Union County, Uptown, the airport, major business centers and the nearby South Park area. There is also easy access availability to Uptown via the Charlotte Light Rail System which has a station on nearby South Blvd.
Ballantyne as a master planned community consists of commercial, retail, residential, recreational, and resort areas. Its crossroads are the intersection of Ballantyne Commons Parkway and Johnston Road where four monuments, dedicated by the developer to the city stand. Each monument towering more than 30 feet, tells the history of the Charlotte area and the people who built it. To travel through Ballantyne’s landscaped streetscapes and see the developer’s attention to detail in architecture, landscaping, lighting and signage is to appreciate the pride that has been exercised by the Bissell Companies in developing this community.
Today within the 2,000 acres there are several retail and dining destinations,four hotels including the Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, medical services, residential communities consisting of apartments, town homes, single family communities and the Ballantyne Country Club. The Ballantyne Corporate Park which consists of 534 acres has 3 million square feet of class "A" office space. For years the park has been a choice for several Fortune 500 headquarters, plus home to other well know national and international firms. With the 2011 rezoning having been approved the park will grow to almost 7 million square feet of additional office, medical, retail, residential and hotel space.
About the "Ballantyne Area"
Since construction was started in the early 1990's Ballantyne has served as a catalyst for growth throughout the area. Because of this growth many now refer to this section of South Charlotte as the Ballantyne Area. No matter what you call it the area is considered by many as the place to "Live, Work, Play, Stay and Recreate"
Defining Ballantyne
Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge
One of the crown jewels is the Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge which is a member of the Starwood “Luxury Collection” and a Forbes Four- star and AAA Four Diamond award winning hotel. This affiliation places Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge in an elite league of less than one hundred upper-end hotels worldwide including St.Regis Hotels, the Palace in San Francisco and the Phoenician in Scottsdale.
Located at the corner of Ballantyne Commons and Johnston Road, Ballantyne Hotel features 200 hotel rooms, 14 deluxe suites and a 35 room Lodge and four-bedroom Cottage. Guests can enjoy dining in the Gallery Restaurant and Bar while enjoying a view of the golf course from the veranda. Also available to guests are the exercise area with fitness equipment, indoor grotto pool, two endless lap pools, whirlpool, sauna, tennis courts and a private outdoor "South Beach" pool. Ballantyne Hotel provides 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space including 18 meeting rooms and a 6,5000 square foot “Grand Ballroom”.
The Lodge at Ballantyne & The Ballantyne Cottage
Additional meeting space is available at the Lodge at Ballantyne a rustic hunting lodge set just across the fairway from the hotel This unique facility offers 40,000 square feet and is ideal for private corporate retreats, wedding receptions and family reunions. Next to the Lodge is the 4 bedroom Ballantyne Cottage which is available for short and long term rental.
Gallery Restaurant & Bar
Located in the Hotel is the Gallery Restaurant which is a Forbes Four Star Restaurant. It offers a contemporary American fare with a seasonal farm-to-table inspired menu. There is a main dining room plus a private dining room that can seat 16 for private parties or business meetings. The fashionable Gallery Bar offers a warm and comfortable setting for lunch and dinner. It has an extensive wine list and an outstanding selection of single malt scotch, cocktails and martinis. It is a favorite meeting spot for local business leaders, politicians and celebrities who stay at the hotel.
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The Spa at Ballantyne
Located in the Ballantyne Hotel the Spa which is also a Forbes Four Star award winner. The Spa is a public destination day spa that offers a full serve salon and a wellness facility in addition to massage, facials, body wraps, manicures, pedicures, hair salon, fitness, indoor and seasonal outdoor pool as well as a spa product shop. With 20,000 sf the Spa features over 50 spa treatments.
The Golf Club at Ballantyne
This daily fee golf course is among the finest PGA public golf courses in the region. It has been the recipient of several awards and was named as a top 50 golf resort courses by Golf World. The Par 71 course has multiple water features and is a challenging course to enthusiasts of all skill levels. There is a practice area, golf pavilion for event and lunch, pro shop and a professional staff that can arrange golf events including tournaments and outings. Located on the grounds is the world famous Dana Rader Golf School.
Dana Rader Golf School
Located at the Ballantyne Hotel & Spa is the world famous Dana Rader Golf School which has been ranked by Golf Magazine as one of the top 25 schools in the country. Dana herself is ranked as one of the top 50 golf instructors in the United Sates. She was the LPGA "Teacher of the Year" in 1990 and in 2003 she achieved the LPGA "Master Professional" designation. She is the author of the book, "Rock Solid Golf" and she and her staff of professionals offer a wide range of programs including a pee wee program.
Additional Accommodations offered by Bissell Hotels
In addition to the Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, Bissell Hotels LLC offers three other choices, the Courtyard Marriott, the Staybridge Suites Ballantyne and the Ballantyne Aloft.
For information on the Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, the Gallery Restaurant & Bar, the Ballantyne Spa, Golf Course and the Dana Rader Golf School please visit
www.theballantynehotel.com
Exceptional Shopping Venues
The Ballantyne area offers a wide range of shopping destinations including Ballantyne Village, Ballantyne Commons, StoneCrest at Piper Glen, Blakeney, the Promenade, Carolina Place Mall, Arboretum, Centrum Center, Torington and Hunters Crossing to name just a few. Here you will find most of the major national retailers along with numerous local specialty stores.
Located 20 minutes away from the area are Morrocroft Village, Phillips Place and “SouthPark” where you will find stores like Neiman Marcus, Nordstrums, Macys, Belk, Dillards, Hermes, Kate Spade, Tommy Bahama, Polo Ralph Lauren, Burberry, BCBG, Taffany, Louis Vuitton, St. Johns and many others.
Dining
There is a wide variety of family and specialty dining opportunities throughout the area. They range from popular fast food establishments to some of the city’s most notable upscale restaurants. Recently Charlotte was named to the “Top 50 Cities That Sizzle” by Nation’s Restaurant News Magazine.
Some favorites are the Gallery Restaurant and Bar at the Ballantyne Hotel, The Terrace, Villa Antonio, 131 Main, Cheese Cake Factory, Mortons, McCormick & Schmicks, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Nobles, PF Chang, Zebra, Upstream, Ruth Chris Steak House, The Palm, Firebirds, City Tavern, Hickory Tavern, Harpers, Miro, China Bistro, Fusion, Mickey & Mooches, Tony’s Pizza, Five Guys Burgers, Dean & Deluca, Flat Burger, Starbucks, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, On the Border, Pei Wei Asian Diner, Bad Guy's Burgers, Long Horns, Outback, JJ's, Skillets, Mellow Mushroom and many more.
Recreation
The Ballantyne area is home to several fine golf courses both daily fee and private. Recreation can also be found throughout the area at local county parks and green ways. The ever expanding Ballantyne Morrison YMCA facility offers two locations one at Ballantyne Village which serves area residents with a fitness center while the main location which shares 100 acres with the county parks department has a state-of-the-art workout facility, expansive “Water Park” and offers several programs focus on individual or family needs.
In addition the Ballantyne Corporate Park offers an is an extensive walking trail featuring pocket parks, a fitness
trail and two putting green. All of these amenities are free and available to local residents.
For those wishing even more local walking opportunities the Mecklenburg County Park Greenway is available and offers miles of paved walking trails.
Minutes away are the Carolwinds amusement park, the Ann Springs Close Green way with 1,200 acre and 30 miles of walking trails and the US National Whitewater Center the largest of its kind in the world. Of course for professional sports we have our Carolina Panthers and Bobcats which play uptown.
Desirable & Affordable Area Homes & Communities
One of the most desirable features about the Ballantyne area is the wide range of residential housing and housing prices available throughout the area. There are numerous apartment, condominiums & town home communities throughout the area. Single family communities offer a wide range of options from stylish cottage homes to multi-million dollar estate homes. There are several communities which offer swim & tennis amenities with others that are geared more towards empty nesters and seniors. For those seeking a country club lifestyle there are several to choose from in the area including Ballantyne Country Club which is in the heart of Ballantyne. Others nearby country clubs are Piper Glen, Providence, Raintree, Firethorne and Longview.
Excellent Schools
There are a number of new public schools presently serving this area. All of the areas schools are in the top ranking for the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System which helps to contribute to why so many people want to live in this area of Charlotte. . In addition there are a number of private schools available including the prestigious British American School of Charlotte.
Health Care
This area is serviced by two hospitals, which are only minutes away off of I-485. Presbyterian South is located on highway 51 in Matthews. Carolina Medical Center is located on Highway 51 in nearby Pineville. There is an exceptional number of medical offices and office park settings in and around the Ballantyne area.
Ballantyne Offers Exceptional Commercial Development
With 525-acres the Ballantyne Office Park offers a premier location, upscale amenities including a walking trail with pocket parks, ponds, and even a putting green for its tenants to use.
As currently zoned the park will have close to 7 million square feet. Several corporations have chosen Ballantyne for their national and regional HQ's including Lending Tree, SPX, Lance, Carolina Premier Bank, UBS, Henricks Corporation, Pinkerton, EXPN, Household Finance Corporation, Kimberly Clark, Hardford Fire Insurance, Bank of America, Honda Financial, Babcock & Wilcox and Premier Inc. which located over 1,000 employees to Ballantyne in 2010.
The Bissell Companies prides itself on having ready to lease space available. For more details on space please contact their leasing office.
In addition to the office buildings the park also has within its grounds numerous pocket parks, a putting green, fitness trail, expansive walking trail, banks, retailers, service providers, several restaurants, a day care, a StayBridge Suites, Marriott Courtyard and the Aloft Hotel.
Other Nearby Office Parks
Just north of Ballantyne Corporate is Toringdon which offers 700,000 square feet, two shopping center and a large apartment complex.
Within a few minutes of Ballantyne on Rea Road is Blakeney which offers a large office park complex as part of the overall development.
About Goldenproperties
When myself and my husband founded goldenproperties more than a decade ago. Our commitment than as it is now was to be the information resource for people considering moving into Ballantyne Area of South Charlotte. As residents of this area since 1978 we developed and published the first Internet web site dedicated to promoting information about the Ballantyne area.
Commitment to the Community
In 2001 my husband Ray founded the Ballantyne Breakfast Club which is a community forum for the exchange of information between the residents, developers, business leaders, political leaders and services providers. The BBC holds six meetings during the year with guest speakers like the Mayor, Police Chief, Superintendent of School, Business Leaders, State, County & City Officials and hosts the yearly Ballantyne Candidate Forum & Chili Cook-Off Community Event.
In 2011 the Ballantyne Breakfast Club sponsored the 1st "Ballantyne Festival" which will be a annual event for the area. .
In 2009 the Ballantyne Breakfast Club was honored by a City of Charlotte proclamation for its service to the community with December 5, 2009 being declared Ballantyne Breakfast Club Day by the Mayor of Charlotte.
Ray served on the Transportation & Road Committee of 21 being appointed to it by the city manager on the recommendation of two City Council Representatives. He participated in a year long review of our transit system with the objective of making recommendations on how to improve our transportation and road system.
He serves on the Board of Directors with the Ballantyne Chapter of the Chamber Commerce.
As a result of his commitment to the community and his efforts in promoting Ballantyne he has been declared by the Bissell Companies as the honorary " Mayor of Ballantyne."
We want to thank all of the developers and business leaders and for their support and encouragement over the years. We also want to thank our many clients and friends who have made this web site one of the most visited ones serving the entire Charlotte market.
We are thankful for being residents of the South Charlotte Ballantyne Area since 1978 and being able to live, work, play and stay in this truly wonderful and exciting area of Charlotte.
My knowledge and experience will guide you in making a more informed buying, selling or relocating decision. Please remember that I work with all relocation companies and can coordinate your move with your relocation company.
Elaine in the Media
"Elaine Featured in Ballantyne Magazine"
Ballantyne Magazine Summer 2010
"Elaine and Ray Eschert Are Selling Ballantyne to the World"
Ballantyne Magazine 2001
"Elaine and Ballantyne...2004"
Ballantyne Magazine 2004 |
Elaine Eschert, BROKER, REALTOR, ABR, CSP, CLHMS
Broker Owner Golden Properties Realty
13850 Ballantyne Corporate Place, Suite 500
Licensed Broker in North & South Carolina
RE/MAX Agent for 15 years & Former Member of RE/MAX Hall of Fame
Accredited Buyer’s Representative
Certified New Homes Sales Professional
Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist
Elaine@goldenproperties.com
704 651-9946
