South Charlotte

South Charlotte is home to some of the region's most desirable neighborhoods as well as shopping venues galore. In addition, two of Mecklenburg's most historic towns¡ªMatthews and Pineville¡ªblend seamlessly with the city's southern edge.

The two major destinations for living, shopping and working on the south side of town are SouthPark and Ballantyne. SouthPark was once part of a 3,000-acre farm owned by former N.C. Governor Cameron Morrison. The farm¡¯s main house, the Tudor Revival style Morrocroft Mansion, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

South Park
A prestigious address, SouthPark offers a variety of housing styles, ranging from the 1950s ranch houses of Beverly Woods to newly-built town homes and million-dollar mansions in the gated Morrocroft community.

SouthPark is a major business district, second only to Uptown. Contemporary glass and marble buildings are home to many major Charlotte businesses. The area also boasts several fine hotels.

SouthPark shopping is unmatched in the city. SouthPark Mall, Charlotte's most upscale shopping center, includes major department stores and shops such as Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, Brooks Brothers and Pottery Barn. The mall¡¯s newest additions include Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. Additionally, an amphitheater on the property hosts the Charlotte Symphony's Summer Pops concerts.

Just down the street, pedestrian-friendly Phillips Place features high-end specialty shops, restaurants, movie theaters and luxury apartments. Sharon Corners and Specialty Shops on the Park offer local and national retail shops as well as restaurants.

Ballantyne
Ballantyne is a new ¡°live-work¡± community encompassing 2,000 acres south of I-485. The Corporate Park includes office buildings, a resort hotel, an 18-hole daily-fee golf course and the nationally renowned Dana Rader School of Golf.

Residential options include several apartment communities and neighborhoods with single-family homes in nearly every price range. Ballantyne Country Club features custom homes and a private, 18-hole golf course. The town center has shops, restaurants and a YMCA. Ballantyne also boasts several new public schools.

Other South Charlotte Neighborhoods
South Charlotte also offers other living and shopping options. The Cotswold area offers easy access to Uptown and is known for its lovely, older neighborhoods and newly renovated shopping center. Along Park Road are several charming neighborhoods dating back to the 1950s, including Madison Park, which features brick ranches and tall trees. Nearby Park Road Shopping Center is a Charlotte landmark with the popular Blackhawk Hardware, the independent bookstore Park Road Books and Sir Edmund Halley's, an English-style tavern with a lovely patio.

Dozens of neighborhoods in a variety of price ranges are accessible from N.C. 51, as are countless shopping venues, including the Arboretum at Providence Road.

In addition to a wide variety of churches, from modern Calvary Church to historic Providence Presbyterian, South Charlotte is also home to Shalom Park. The center of Charlotte's Jewish community, Shalom Park includes two synagogues and the Jewish Community Center.

Recreation
South Charlotte also offers a variety of recreational opportunities. SouthPark's Harris YMCA and the Siskey YMCA in Matthews are family favorites. For nature walks, try one of the greenways. The McMullen Creek and Lower McAlpine Greenway feature four miles of trail and a picnic area. McAlpine Creek Greenway has 8.9 miles of greenway, cross country trails and nature trails.

The planned Little Sugar Creek Greenway will run 15 miles from North Charlotte to Pineville, right through the heart of South Charlotte. This area also has several parks with lakes, athletic fields, playgrounds and trails.

Pineville
Pineville, Mecklenburg's smallest town, is the birthplace of America's 11th president, James K. Polk. The town is proud of its success in preserving its historic downtown, where dozens of antique shops line Main Street (N.C. 51). At the same time, Pineville has embraced growth in the surrounding areas, including several hotels, shopping centers, senior residences and a thriving medical community surrounding Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville.

Although it rests on the S.C. border, Pineville will feel much closer to Charlotte when the town is connected to Uptown by light rail, expected to be completed in 2007.

Matthews
To the east on N.C. 51 is Matthews, another picturesque town that embraces its past and future simultaneously. A mixed-use development downtown houses a new town hall, library, shops, restaurants and offices, all in keeping with the town¡¯s historical aesthetics.

Just outside downtown are huge shopping complexes, restaurants, offices and Presbyterian Hospital-Matthews. In addition to the commercial development, Matthews is seeing tremendous residential growth as new communities are cropping up everywhere.

Matthews is known for its community events such as Stumptown Park summer concert and movie series; Picnic on the Green, a local summer farmers market; Fourth of July parade and fall ArtFest. Its Matthews Alive! Festival gathers more than 100,000 people each Labor Day weekend for food, fun and music.