Convention Center Pedestrian Walkway – Connecting a Vibrant Corridor
Meeting planners and attendees alike love that the Charlotte Convention Center is located right in the heart of the of Uptown Charlotte. The compact, walkable convention district means that attendees are always within steps of thousands of hotel rooms, countless eateries and some of the city’s top attractions and nightlife destinations – and the Center’s newly-constructed overstreet pedestrian walkway will add a new layer of convenience.
by Lauren Hawk
In response to meeting planners’ feedback, the addition was designed to streamline navigability and increase access for attendees. In addition to offering a direct link from the Charlotte Convention Center to the adjacent 700-room Westin Charlotte, the area’s largest hotel, the walkway will also provide a path to the LYNX Blue Line light rail Stonewall Station. The light rail is an optimal way to explore the Queen City’s countless eclectic neighborhoods and diverse offerings, with 26 stations dotted along its central corridor, from South Charlotte to University City.
An overstreet connector also means easy access to the ever-expanding Stonewall Street corridor, which has spent much of the past decade undergoing major revitalization, and is currently experiencing a multi-million dollar development boom. In the past five years the corridor has welcomed a Whole Foods, the largest full-sized grocer in Uptown Charlotte, two hotels – a Home2Suites and the brand new JW Marriott Charlotte, several local dining options, D9 Brewing – Uptown Charlotte’s only brewery – and much more growth on the horizon.
The walkway itself will boast a picturesque “jewel box” aesthetic, layering art upon functionality and complementing the Convention Center’s existing displays of work by local artists. This eye-catching design element will overlook the ever-evolving vibrant corridor that makes up the heart and soul of Uptown.
The electrifying area surrounding the Convention Center features award-winning bars and restaurants, from refurbished speakeasy-style cellars to towering rooftop venues overlooking the glistening cityscape, alongside countless arts and culture institutions telling stories of Charlotte, its people, its future and its past. From sports fans supporting any one of the Queen City’s numerous professional teams to thrill-seekers heading just outside Uptown to enjoy a range of outdoor activities, Uptown Charlotte is home to it all – and the Charlotte Convention Center’s new walkway offers a level of connectivity that will allow meeting attendees to be part of the experience.
Learn more about the Charlotte Convention Center expansion project.
