Sharon Towers is an existing continuing care retirement community (CCRC) located in the heart of the upscale, mixed-use Southpark area in Charlotte, N.C. The primary goal of the phased master plan was to create a less institutional, more homelike environment throughout all levels of service in the community.
This was achieved by enhancing the access to and use of existing natural areas and amenities and providing necessary program upgrades.
Construction began in 2012 with a complete renovation of the dining experience, followed closely by introducing Magnolia Villa 1 and 2 apartment buildings. These broadened Sharon Towers’ market offering and helped fund the primary driver of the repositioning plan, the renovation of the healthcare building.
The goal was to transform the setting from a medical model to a person-centered, homelike model. The change required not only a complete renovation of the healthcare spaces but a sizeable, phased addition, as well.
The renovation and expansion of the healthcare building began with a south wing addition that includes resident rooms, common spaces, and bathing spa and beauty/barber shop. It continues with the renovation and addition to the top two floors of the north wing including more resident rooms and living space.
The bottom two floors of the renovation and additions are independent living and house additional dining, a wellness clinic, spa, and multipurpose room.
There was also a desire to strengthen the sense of community across service levels and provide opportunities for access to the outdoors, light, and views for all residents. To do so, the project took on a stepped configuration that allows for sunlight to penetrate at each level. Outside, terraced spaces offer access to a beautifully landscaped courtyard called The Dell.
The northern exposure of the primary living spaces to The Dell enabled the team to provide lots of glass to bring light in and offer beautiful views out.
Project details
Facility name: Sharon Towers
Location: Charlotte, N.C.
Completion date: September 2022
Owner: The Presbyterian Home at Charlotte
Total building area:
- dining renovation, 13,630 sq. ft.
- Magnolia Villa 1, 47,673 sq. ft.
- Magnolia Villa 2, 47,673 sq. ft.
- nursing and commons expansion and renovation, 98,880 sq. ft.
Total construction cost:
- dining renovation, $2.1 million
- Magnolia Villa 1, $6.2 million
- Magnolia Villa 2, $7.1 million
- nursing and commons expansion and renovation, $41.1 million
Cost/sq. ft.:
- dining renovation, $155/sq. ft.
- Magnolia Villa 1, $131/sq. ft.
- Magnolia Villa 2, $151/sq. ft.;
- nursing and commons expansion and renovation, $416/sq. ft.
Architecture firm: Stewart & Conners Architects PLLC
Interior design: IDA (dining renovation, Magnolia Villas), GMK Interiors (nursing and commons expansion and renovation)
General contractor: Omega Construction (dining renovation, Magnolia Villas), Messer (nursing and commons expansion and renovation)
Engineering: Teeter Engineering (dining renovation, Magnolia Villas), Saber Engineering (nursing/commons expansion and renovation)
Builder: N/A
