More than 500 apartments coming to former Centene campus in University City

More than 500 apartments and townhomes are heading to Charlotte’s university and Research Park neighborhoods.

Georgia-based Flournoy Development Group has taken another step toward transforming 52 acres at 2200 One Electrolux Way and 10200 Claude Freeman Drive into housing.

Last year, Charlotte’s City Council approved a residential rezoning request for the property. The developer completed its purchase of the site Monday for $11 million, according to Mecklenburg County deed records.

Flournoy bought the site from Centene Corp., a St. Louis health insurance giant who had very different plans for the property back six years ago.

In 2020, Centene planned to build its East Coast headquarters on the undeveloped land, turning it into a commercial campus with a technology hub spread across 2.4 million square feet.

It was a $1 billion investment that would initially bring at least 3,237 jobs to Charlotte. At the time, it was the state’s largest job announcement and was dubbed a “historic occasion” by Mayor Vi Lyles.

The following year, construction began on a 700,000-square-foot main office. The 10-year plan was running smoothly.

But in August 2022, Centene abruptly backed out of the investment. The health insurer said with all of its employees working either fully remote or hybrid, it would be reducing its real estate footprint, rendering the campus unnecessary.

Centene finished constructing the main office building and it was eventually sold to wealth management leader Vanguard. The Pennsylvania-based investment firm opened its office last year.

With the land purchase, now it’s Flournoy’s turn. The Charlotte Business Journal first reported the land purchase.

The housing project will be split into two phases, starting with Declan Research Park, according to Flournoy’s website.

Declan will take up almost 31 acres for 318 apartments. The first units should be available by next year. The community will feature a pool, coworking spaces and a grab-and-go market.

On the remaining 21 acres, Flournoy will build 243 apartments and 16 townhomes.

Flournoy is no stranger to north Charlotte.

Last year, the developer completed Ellison Mallard Creek, a community of 341 apartments and 56 for-rent townhomes off of W. Mallard Creek Church Road.

Ellison is about two miles east of the Declan site.

Flournoy says it will continue to invest in the University area.

It’s the same for other builders. University City is filled with yellow rezoning signs and cleared land seemingly on every corner. It’s one of the last areas of Charlotte with vacant land within the interstate loops of 485 and 85.

In a three-mile circle between Governor Hunt Road, Mallard Creek Road, Galloway Road and I-85, 562 homes are under construction and 1,075 units are proposed.

That includes 135 townhomes being developed at Senata at Research Park near Trader Joe’s. And a proposed mixed-use development steps away from Senata that was approved by City Council in January includes 880 housing units and 30,000 square feet of commercial near Galloway Road and I-85.

Once the projects are completed, Flournoy will have added 561 apartments and 16 townhomes to the area.

A new data center may be coming to the area as well.

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