Trammell Crow to Develop Massive Iron District in Charlotte

Charlotte Pipe & Foundry has selected Trammell Crow Company as the lead developer for the first phase of a large-scale redevelopment of its former foundry site in Charlotte.

The Dallas-based real estate firm, a subsidiary of CBRE, will also serve as master planner for the 55.5-acre site, located between uptown and the South End, the Dallas Business Journal reported.

This follows reports from March that Trammell Crow was a top contender for the project, which could accommodate up to 7.75 million square feet of office, residential, retail and hotel space upon full buildout.

Plans include a 150-key hotel, 500 residential units, 100,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, 150,000 square feet of office space and 1,200 parking spots. The first phase will cover approximately 12 acres along West Morehead Street, with construction expected to begin late next year or early in 2026. It will take about two years to build.

The project, known as the Iron District, reflects the Dowd family’s vision to transform the century-old foundry site into a mixed-use hub. The development is positioned between Interstate 77 and Interstate 277, offering access to uptown and the South End. City and county officials are also involved in discussions about infrastructure improvements to better integrate the site into surrounding neighborhoods.

Other partners in the project include LandDesign for site planning and infrastructure, S9 Architecture for master planning and design and retail consultant Of Place. Trammell Crow’s experience with large-scale urban projects and collaboration with local firms has generated optimism for the redevelopment’s impact on the city’s landscape.

The Dowd family started Charlotte Pipe in 1901 and still operates it, although it moved its operation to rural Oakboro last year. The company will receive up to $15 million in incentives over 10 years from the North Carolina Economic Investment Committee for moving its plant from Mecklenburg to Stanly County.