CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte, N.C.-based firm, NarmourWright Architecture is pleased to announce the completion of The Lexington in one of Charlotte’s most sought-after neighborhoods – historic Dilworth.
With strong, historical roots and a modern, urban feel, Dilworth has been popular with the city’s booming swell of “move-up” renters ages 25-38 years old who seek easy access to the Queen City’s urban core and a comfortable, established neighborhood home. The Lexington’s design and development team, which included well-known Charlotte businesses such as Marsh Properties, Carocon Corporation, Land Design, and NarmourWright knew that when they started working on the project in 2014.
Despite the speed and depth of apartment living growth in Charlotte, NarmourWright anchored their approach to design and development in strategic listening. Fully present and available to the neighbors and the Dilworth Neighborhood Association meetings, Marsh Properties and NarmourWright worked to ensure that The Lexington became an integral part of the surrounding, historical neighborhood that dates back to the 1890’s.
“NarmourWright appreciated from the beginning how [The Lexington] was going to fit into the neighborhood,” says Jamie McLawhorn, President of Marsh Properties, owner of The Lexington. “And every design choice we made – from using more brick and accents, muted paint colors, among other choices – fits beautifully into the neighborhood.”
NarmourWright was cognizant of not only the visual aesthetic, but also how the community experienced The Lexington, designing parking with two separate levels to dispel congestion and noise on the more intimate, quieter streets.
The deliberate approach to The Lexington’s design made experiential features more possible for future residents. Each unit includes a gracious patio which provides an inviting, outdoor extension to these apartments. The project also set a new precedent as to amenities and features, including six unique courtyards designed by LandDesign. Each courtyard includes gas grills, dining areas, water features, fireplaces, a turf field, and quaint lounging nooks to offer residents a variety of ways to relax, socialize, and entertain. The team’s attention to the detail and focus on resident experience also included the design of an intimate, easy-to-access dog park, a rooftop clubhouse, and smart technology in the gym facility and in each apartment home.
The drive to design a high-quality, original, and modern experience in Charlotte’s apartment living landscape presented both opportunities and challenges – all of which NarmourWright handled well, said Carocon’s Glen Craig. “We worked hands on together, problem solving every step of the way,” says Craig. “And we were able to work together to achieve the owner’s goals for success – a high quality product that looks great and functions well.”
The mindful approach is paying off. As of May 2017, only six months after opening, the Lexington was at 92% pre-leased, which is a phenomenal growth rate for a building with 235 units.
The Dilworth Neighborhood Association and Marsh Properties are pleased with the building’s look, feel, and overall success. Mecklenburg County officials lauded the construction process. “This project stands out as a model of ‘best practices’ by all parties involved, i.e, the owner, the general contractor, the design team and Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement staff,” said Andy Herring, Mega-Multifamily Team Manager for Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement. “All teams worked efficiently and well together and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work with a project team dedicated to the success of the project.”
