Posted On: October 30, 2008 By: admin

Chima Brazilian Steakhouse, an elegant Brazilian restaurant will have its grand opening on Monday, November 10, 2008 in Uptown Charlotte. Chima, (pronounced She-ma), serves over 15 different meats, including Brazilian pork sausage, filet mignon, smoked salmon and a plethora of salads, fine wines and deserts. Diners are served by a wait staff dressed in authentic Brazilian attire. Bruno Silva, Owner and Managing Partner, says, “Chima is more than just a restaurant, it’s a passion.

The Brazilian culture is intoxicating and vibrant. I wanted to share this excitement with everybody and the best way to do this was to create an authentic Brazilian Steak house. I am proud to have another Chima opening – Charlotte is the perfect city to enhance all that Chima has to offer.” With locations in Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale and Philadelphia, Chima has been featured on Fox Good Day Atlanta, CBS Better Mornings and the Miami Herald. Atlanta Falcon’s, Ovie Mughelli, touts Chima’s as one of his favorite restaurants:

The restaurant is named after chimarrao, an authentic drink from Brazil and its first location opened in Uberlandia, Brazil. Chima will be located on the first floor of The Trust Condominiums which is located on the corner of Trade Street at 139 South Tryon in the Second Ward and will serve dinner nightly.

Category: Restaurants, Second Ward

Posted On: October 2, 2008 By: admin

The first luxury boutique residence in Charlotte, known as The Trust Condominiums, will combine exclusivity and luxury in one address. The Trust Condominiums will offer eight one of kind units in the former historical building once known as The Home Federal Savings and Loan Building, located at 4th and S.Tryon. This building, erected in 1967, illustrated at the time Charlotte’s growing significance as an urban city and major financial center, in the decades following WWII. This building is a combination of history and a completely modern approach to good uptown living.

This seven story building will house only the best amenities, starting with the grand marble mezzanine entrance that will welcome you to this elegant residence. One thing that The Trust Condominiums will have that other buildings will not, is a wine cellar and lounge in the authentic bank vault leftover from it’s saving and loan days. Each residence will include recessed outdoor living space with sliding walls and gas grills, 360 degree pivoting window walls, home automation system, Viking Designer Series appliances including gas cook tops, imported granite counter tops, hardwood floors, and secure private parking with extensive storage space. There is only one unit left to purchase.

So, if it’s that extra special luxury life you’re looking for, then The Trust Condominiums is the uptown address for you.

Category: Second Ward

Posted On: August 18, 2008 By: admin

Some contract holders of the The Park Condos and local businessman watched with special interest at the Mecklenburg Superior Courthouse on August 8^th, 2008 222 South Caldwell Street Ltd. Partnership, owes BB Syndication more than $27 million on the development’s $30.7 million construction loan.

At the foreclosure proceedings, was the highest bidder at $17.9 Million for The Park development. With this bid, Summit Shores resets the window of time for another suitor for The Park.

The Park was one of Uptown Charlotte’s first pre construction condos during the Uptown Charlotte Condo boom, but has been beleaguered with delays since the start. Accounting to the Charlotte Business Journal the developer had 87 of the project’s 107 units, which had been priced from $450,000 to $750,000.

Category: Second Ward

Posted On: August 10, 2008 By: admin

After decades of pitching several options for a key stretch of First Ward property, Daniel Levine has finally found a partner…us. Charlotte Business Journal reports taxpayer funding will add around $26 million to the project. Although causing skepticism in a few, this massive plan and the accompanying request for public money have given hope to political leaders and Uptown supporters that Levine is serious this time.

Levine controls 20 acres on which he plans to build 2 million square feet of office space, 2,150 residential units, and 282,000 square feet of shops and restaurants. His plans include $26 million in tax-increment financing from the city and county. This would pay for parking decks and other improvements, with $8 million that could be spent by the city on road improvements. The county would kick in money for the construction of a 3 acre park.

There is also a $46 million UNC Charlotte Classroom building planned for the corner of East Ninth and north Brevard streets. This will be the anchor of the initial phase of development, and has a 2011 opening planned.

Levine is showing a lot of enthusiasm for the project to move from planning to ground breaking at last. He is totally committed to bringing the best development to the Queen City, but this complex deal has a long way to go before it’s a sure thing.

Mecklenburg County commissioners will get their first real look at the proposal this week. If they approve moving ahead with discussions, then more details will have to be worked out, starting with land appraisals for a property swap between the developer and county. The city staff hopes to have a deal ironed out for the council to consider by the end of 2008, with the county pursuing the same schedule. That would allow construction on Levine’s first phase, which is dependent on park and tax-increment financing on 1,300 of 2,000 new parking spaces in First Ward, in 2009.

Levine has a 10 – 15 year schedule for the entire project. The county park, UNCC, underground parking, and a 300,000 – 400,000 square feet building would come first. Levine would build the office building with ground floor shops and restaurants. A 1,500 car parking deck and a property with 525 residential units, hotel, and street level retail would come next.

The excitement is spreading with stakeholders gathering to talk about the possibilities and negotiate the framework of a deal. This would copy several other public-private ventures in and around Uptown. We have to credit both Levine and the city and county for coming up with a deal that will put the risk in the private sector not the public.

Category: First Ward, Fourth Ward, Second Ward, Third Ward