The Howard Hughes Corporation
A Legacy of Vision Continues

The Bridges at Mint Hill enjoys a prime placement in the underserved southeast corner of the Charlotte metropolitan area, which is experiencing strong population growth. Located at the intersection of Interstate 485 and Lawyers Road, the project was originally planned for 1.2 million square feet of retail development. Construction began in 2008 but was delayed due to economic conditions.

Currently, The Howard Hughes Corporation is considering development opportunities for The Bridges at Mint Hill given evolving market conditions.

• The Bridges at Mint Hill will draw customers from throughout Charlotte, the nation’s fastest-growing metropolitan area and second largest financial center.

• The Eastern Charlotte market has, and will continue to experience, a large portion of the population growth in the area. The newly completed I-485 beltway will allow for easy access from throughout the entire eastern half of this underserved retail, dining and entertainment market.

• In the next five years, the trade area’s population and number of households are expected to grow by almost 15 percent, a rate nearly three times that of the United States overall.

Melinda Johnston
The Charlotte Observer
Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The Howard Hughes Corp. has formed a partnership with Childress Klein Properties that could put The Bridges at Mint Hill back on track.

“Partnering with Childress Klein on The Bridges at Mint Hill enables us to build from their knowledge in the local market and add value to the opportunity,” stated David R. Weinreb, Chief Executive Officer of The Howard Hughes Corp. “The joining of our two properties will ensure that this becomes the most attractive retail development site in the Charlotte area.”

The proposed shopping complex on 210 acres at the Lawyers Road interchange of Interstate 485 just across the bridge from Union County, would be 1.3 million square feet with retail, hotel and commercial development.

Grading at the site started in 2008. The work halted abruptly in 2009 during the economic downturn when General Growth Properties filed for bankruptcy.

At that time, General Growth owned 75 percent of the land; Childress Klein Properties owned 25 percent.

As part of the bankruptcy settlement, General Growth’s incomplete projects were sold to Howard Hughes Corp. Now, Howard Hughes and Childress Klein have decided to put their land together and have agreed to a development partnership.

“We will work together to pursue the development,” said Childress Klein Retail Division Partner David Haggart.

“We are very excited to be partners with (Howard Hughes Corp.), and we think the team that will be working on the project will provide focus on the project which has been lacking the last two years.”

There’s been activity at the site lately, but Haggart says bulldozers are only clearing dirt so the land will be ready when construction starts again. Haggart says they are keeping an eye on market conditions to determine when to break ground.

“We will start the project when market conditions are ready for the project to be started. There are definitely some positive signs in the market right now. Looking at the 24-36 month time-frame, we’re optimistic that the market is going to improve,” Haggart said.

Mint Hill Town Manager Brian Welch says he’s been told work will begin early next year.

“The town has been told to expect additional site work to begin in the spring of 2012. We know for a fact that they are continuing to work with N.C. Department of Transportation to finalize road plans including acquisition of additional rights-of-way,” Welch said. “They are also continuing to work with Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities on plans and scope of the sewer lift station that they are required to install.”

Welch says that, when compete, the project should add approximately $100 million in value to the town’s tax base, an increase of about 5 percent.

That increase would bring in an additional $270,000 in town property tax revenue.

The town also can expect additional stormwater revenue, as well as a significant increase in the tourism tax based on the prepared food tax and the hotel/motel occupancy tax.

“We’ve been anticipating this development for many years. We’re looking forward to the economic impact it will offer both with the additional tax revenue as well as employment and shopping and entertainment opportunities for our residents,” Welch said.

This custom built home offers luxury living and a gracious entertaining lifestyle. Every detail perfected; foyer boasts a dramatic domed ceiling w/curved staircase, Brazilian hardwood floors throughout and custom faux textured walls.

Gourmet kitchen with 6 burner Viking gas stove, gorgeous 42″ custom cabinets, huge granite center island with prep sink; extra large walk-in pantry and eat-in breakfast area over looking fenced-in backyard.

Great room features floor to ceiling stone fireplace, custom built-in bookcases and ceiling fan. A wall of windows opens to a screened porch. The formal dining room has hardwood floors, art niches and fireplace.

This beautiful homesite on approximately 4-1/2 serene acres with pristine pastures is entirely fenced.

The custom-built barn was carefully designed to coordinate with the home’s architecture. This impressive 2-stall barn features hot water wash-bay, tack & feed rooms plus ceiling fans.

This is an incredible home, with convenient access to your own horses, barn and pasture. A beautiful home and a must see!

Cheval offers one-of-a-kind floor plans and architecture reminiscent of European country estates. Enjoy this true equestrian community, offering miles of riding and walking trails and four neighborhood parks. Cheval also offers riding lessons and an 8,000 square foot private boarding facility that includes a 24-stall barn for training & covered area. Equestrian concierge services are available.

River Gate Elementary. Kara Lopp/MMHW photos

Posted by CW Editor on July 22, 2011
Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly
by Kara Lopp

If you want to see what Mint Hill’s new Bain Elementary School will look like, take a trip down U.S. 77 south to River Gate Elementary.

The two-year-old Charlotte school off Smith Road near Carowinds amusement park will be the inspiration for the new Bain. In fact, the schools will nearly be clones of each other right down to the rock climbing wall in the gym and flat-screen TVs above the kitchen doors, officials say. Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly toured River Gate this week to get a sneak peek at the plans for Bain.

A replacement for Bain Elementary was among the projects approved by Mecklenburg County commissioners July 12 as part of a $156.4 million capital projects program, which will mean borrowing about $100 million in the form of bonds. Renovations at Independence High School, however, aren’t included in the list of projects that would be covered by bond sales, mostly from voter-approved measures in 2004 and 2007. This would be the first time the county has sold bonds since 2009.

By August 2013, students at Mint Hill’s Bain Elementary School will begin classes in a newly-constructed school set to closely mimic Charlotte’s River Gate Elementary. Kara Lopp/MMHW photos

The project is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2012 and the new Bain Elementary should welcome its first students in August 2013.

Building a new Bain Elementary differs from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ initial plans to overhaul the kitchen, building systems and add more classrooms, which was approved by Mint Hill commissioners in February 2009. The switch was the result of economics, said Guy Chamberlain, associate superintendent for Auxiliary Services with the district. Construction of the new school is expected to cost about $11.5 million with a total project cost of $15.3 million, which includes design work and furniture, Chamberlain said.

The Bain “renovation was pushing $10 million. We were going to spend almost as much money and walk away with a school that was basically however old that school is and for just a little more money we could have a new, more energy-efficient school and the operating costs would be less,” he said. “The new school will pay for itself just by having a more efficient building.”

The same decision was made with renovations planned for Pineville Elementary and south Charlotte’s McClintock Middle, which had structural problems, Chamberlain said.

The new building will be adjacent to the existing school, a portion of which was built in the 1980s. The district, which owns about 25 acres around the school, hopes to be able to keep the current building as a solution for school overcrowding, Chamberlain said, noting it would be less expensive than renting mobile classrooms. However, the district won’t know for sure if the building will stay until the N.C. Department of Transportation completes its review of the project. Road improvements around the property, such as adding turn lanes, could force the district to demolish the current building, he said.

The original Bain building, nearly 100 years old, will remain untouched during the project, Chamberlain said.

A new Bain Elementary

Much like River Gate Elementary, the new Bain will be a two-story, 39-classroom building measuring about 82,000 square feet with separate art, music and computer labs, a media center, and cafeteria/gymnasium with a handicap-accessible stage. However, Bain will be built in a “T” shape with classrooms on the second floor, said Mike Higgins, with the district’s Capital Program Services. He was the project manager for River Gate and said the design is one of three the district now uses when building a new elementary school.

Just like River Gate, Bain will have colored tile patterns on hallway floors, a rock climbing wall at the back of the stage to be used during gym classes and flat-screen TV monitors outside the kitchen where staff will display lunch menus and facts about healthy food. Those are all standard features now in a CMS elementary, Higgins said.

Some classrooms will be equipped with a small tutoring room and a one-way window where parents and administrators can observe students without being seen. The media center will include designated areas for reading, story time and technology, with a grouping of computers and large teaching area. The students also will have an area where they broadcast newscasts.

The about 9,500 square-foot cafeteria/gymnasium will hold about 800 students.

Outside, students and parents will find separate drop-off areas for cars and buses and two playgrounds – one for kindergarteners through second graders and one for third through fifth graders.

After you enjoy the festivities at the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase this Saturday visit Charlotte’s top Equestrian Community – Cheval . . . where you can live the Equestrian lifestyle every day. Visit the Cheval website to learn more about Equestrian living at its finest: www.chevalnc.com

Vist the Queen’s Cup website for details of the event: http://www.queenscup.org/

Construction will start later this year, with the first-phase facility slated to open in 2013.

But other pieces of the proposed 50-bed hospital will be added gradually — with Presbyterian facing a state-imposed deadline of 2018 to expand the operation to a full-service hospital.

March 4, 2011 by Jennifer Thomas
Charlotte Business Journal
(You can read the full article at www.bizjournals.com)

Whether you are an equestrian owner or just a lover of the lifestyle, Cheval is a must see. The peace of mind that having your horse close in a beautifully maintained community setting without having the upkeep of acreage is sheer freedom. Cheval combines the best of both lifestyles without all the upkeep and work. Another benefit of living at Cheval for equestrian owners is the option to utilizing the services of trained staff at the Jolie Cheval Equestrian Center to maintain or provide coverage for a spur of the moment out of town trip or vacation.

If you are thinking of building a new home in the Charlotte area, you must make it a priority to visit Cheval.

The Cheval Preferred Builder Program is made up of experts who build and execute Tuscan and European style homes with authentic excellence. The luxury homebuilders and design experts at Schreiner Custom Homes, Beacon Builders and Arthur Rutenberg Homes made up the Cheval Featured Builder Group and are some of Charlotte’s and the Southeast’s finest builders.

Each building team has designed spacious, custom homes that not only will meet and exceed your expectations but also integrate authentic Tuscan and European elements which makes each home at Cheval a showcase of Old World charm. Additionally, the well-designed home plans foresee owners’ needs by equipping the homes with the latest in custom finishes and beautiful moldings. Floorplans can be modified to meet the needs of each buyer and their personal taste.

Cheval showcases authentic Tuscan and European architecture like no other community in the Southeast. We invite you to visit and to be treated to some of our Old World charm by visiting the sales center at the entrance of our community.

Schreiner Custom Homes

Beacon Builders

Arthur Rutenberg Homes

Ginger Thins:
6 tablespoons butter (no substitutes), softened
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
2 tablespoons molasses
1-tablespoon cold strong brewed coffee
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

¾ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon of salt

In mixing bowl, cream butter and ½ cup of sugar; set remaining sugar aside. Add molasses and coffee to creamed mixture; mix well. Combine the remaining ingredients; add to creamed mixture. Mix well (dough will be soft). Cover and freeze for 15 minutes. Shape dough into 7-inch roll, flatten to 1-inch thickness. Wrap in plastic wrap. Freeze for 8 hours or overnight.

Unwrap dough and cut into 1/8 inch slices, place 2 inches apart on parchment lined cookie sheets. Sprinkle with reserved sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove to wire rack to cool. Yield – 3 dozen cookies

Enjoy…Compliments of Cheval! Don’t forget to visit our website at www.chevalnc.com

$20 per person.
For reservations call 704-573-0726.