Market Watch: Huntersville

Where is Huntersville?

Huntersville is a large suburban town in northern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. It's part of the Charlotte metropolitan area, about 12–15 miles north of Uptown Charlotte along I‑77.

It’s considered the gateway to Lake Norman—the largest man-made lake in North Carolina—and is one of the fastest-growing areas in the state.

General Boundaries

• South: Charlotte city limits (Highland Creek area)

• North: Mooresville area

• West: Lake Norman (Catawba River shoreline)

• East: Concord/Kannapolis region (Cabarrus County border is nearby)

  
  

Major Geographic Features

Lake Norman

• Forms the entire western border of Huntersville.

• 520 miles of shoreline; boating, fishing, waterfront homes.

Greenways & Parks

• Extensive greenway system (Huntersville's portion of the Carolina Thread Trail).

• Latta Nature Preserve (1,460+ acres of protected land along Mountain Island Lake).

• Rural Hill historic site, Blythe Landing

  
  

*Birkdale Village

Origins & Design

Current Amenities & Lifestyle

Modernization Efforts

Upcoming Expansion (~$200 M)

Approved in March 2025 (5–1 vote), this ambitious expansion will add:

• Boutique hotel (~125 rooms)

• 150-unit residential building (including 10 affordable/AMI units)

• ~122k sq ft Class-A office space

• ~26.7k sq ft additional retail

• Two larger parking decks adding ~500+ spaces (total ~2,500)Phased construction is slated to begin in early 2027, after NC‑73 road widening - Click here to go to the axios article!

Economic & Community Impact

*Downtown Huntersville

While Birkdale leads as the standout development, Downtown Huntersville continues to evolve with:

• Residential Infill & Boutique Living-New apartment and townhome projects are shaping the historic downtown, offering options for those seeking walkable lifestyles close to shops and dining.

• Retail & Dining Growth-Steady openings of local boutiques, eateries, and service-oriented businesses—especially along Main Street and NC‑115—are driven by Huntersville’s growing residential base and commuter traffic.

• Upcoming Parks & Green Spaces-Adjacent new developments (e.g., Eastfield “adventure park”) and ongoing greenway trail expansions are enhancing passive and active recreation options near downtown.

  
  

*Other Current Developments/Happenings:

 Station South – 21‑acre rezoning just north of Sam Furr/Old Statesville

• In March 2025, Huntersville’s planning board approved rezoning for Station South, a 21.3-acre development of 348 residential units plus ~25,000 sqft of commercial space (restaurants, retail, offices) (bizjournals.com).

• The site is adjacent to the planned Red Line rail stop and I‑77, with developer promises including a 25,000‑sqft parking deck to ease Sam Furr traffic (wsoctv.com).

Transit: Hambright Park & Ride & Red Line Railway

• A new 500‑space park & ride lot near Hambright Road is planned to support bus rapid transit and future Red Line rail; design is underway in 2025, construction 7/2025–12/2026, with opening by 2027 (axios.com).

• The proximity of Station South to a proposed Red Line stop suggests a transit-oriented corridor is taking shape.

 Greenways & Street Resurfacing

• Mecklenburg County (including Huntersville) is adding 16+ miles of greenways, with several key trail expansions scheduled through 2024 and beyond—some close to Old Statesville Rd (wsoctv.com, axios.com).

 Traffic & Infrastructure

• Growth in Huntersville—from 3,000 residents in 1990 to over 61,200 today—has strained roads along Old Statesville, Sam Furr, and I‑77.

• Though North Carolina DOT is widening US 21, upgrading Sam Furr Road, implementing diverging diamond interchanges, and extending Express lanes on I‑77, congestion is expected to worsen before the full benefit kicks in (axios.com).

Summary Snapshot