Construction is underway in uptown Charlotte to transform a vacant 1920s-era building into a creative hub for young entrepreneurs from underserved communities.
The redesign is spearheaded by Do Greater Charlotte, a nonprofit that plans to build the ‘Creative Lab Uptown’ on North Tryon Street. The creative hub will be inside a three-story, 20,000-square-foot building. The spot once housed the offices of former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt’s architectural firm.
William McNeely, the founder of Do Greater Charlotte, said the lab will provide a platform to support young, inspiring entrepreneurs.
“It's an opportunity for young entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs of color in Charlotte to have a space that they can look to as support as this ecosystem that drives them forward, that connects them to the overall entrepreneurial ecosystem in Charlotte and can grow that ecosystem,” McNeely said.
The lab will include studios for podcasting, photography and video production and a co-working space. The first floor will cater to young people aged 16-24, while the top floor will house entrepreneurs and support organizations for young professionals. The estimated cost is $5 million. So far, Wells Fargo has donated $750,000 to the group.
The lab expects to serve up to 10,000 people annually, and McNeely says construction is expected to be complete early next year.