Huntersville Approves $200M Birkdale Village Expansion Plan
In a 5-1 vote, Huntersville leaders gave the green light to a major overhaul of Birkdale Village. The $200 million project will bring a new office tower, residential units, and hotel space to the Lake Norman area.
Two parking structures are planned to handle cars. One will be seven stories tall with 537 spaces, while the other will be four stories with 291 spots. The developer will put $5 million toward traffic improvements, including a new bridge and walking path.
“For everybody who is watching, this is a test case to see if Huntersville is ready for change. Huntersville is not turning into Chicago or anything like that anytime soon,” said resident Eric Willoughby to WSOC-TV.
The change represents a shift from pure retail to mixed-use development. A modern office building will offer 175,000 square feet of space, with retail on the bottom floor. The old Dick’s location will become a six-story building mixing apartments and shops.
Not everyone supports the plan. “It’s just disastrous. Not only lose the parking for my tenants and their employees. But I lose accessibility, and I lose visibility. It’ll destroy my tenant’s business,” resident David Krug told WSOC-TV.
The existing development combines retail, office space, and housing throughout the property. When finished, the updated complex is expected to add $200,000 yearly to local tax revenue, while new residents and workers could spend an additional $15 million in the area.
The approval comes after a long fight for rezoning. Even though the Planning Board voted against it weeks earlier, this smaller version got approved whereas a larger plan failed in 2023.
Construction won’t start until 2027. The first phase will focus on demolition and parking, with housing coming in later years. Local business organizations strongly support the updates.
The project aligns with Huntersville’s 2040 growth plan. A new hotel will welcome guests near the Sam Furr Road entrance to the complex.
