Charlotte ranked No. 10 for overall real estate prospects in the 2027 Emerging Trends in Real Estate report from the Urban Land Institute and PwC, according to WSOC-TV’s report citing the Charlotte Business Journal.
The city moved up from No. 14 in the previous ranking and No. 18 in 2024. It last appeared in the top 10 in 2022. The report evaluated 81 U.S. markets; Dallas-Fort Worth led, followed by Nashville, Miami and Raleigh-Durham, WSOC reported.
The homebuilding outlook was weaker: Charlotte ranked No. 24, down from No. 20 the previous year.
ULI Charlotte executive director Theresa Burnett told WSOC the stronger overall ranking reflects confidence in the area’s long-term prospects despite current challenges. She cited population and job growth, corporate investment and the region’s talent base, while identifying housing affordability and infrastructure as issues to address.
Ballantyne’s shift toward mixed use
The local picture includes the ongoing transformation of Ballantyne’s office campus. In an account published by Northwood Office, the developer describes a plan to turn the 535-acre corporate park into a more walkable destination with housing, entertainment, parks and retail.
Northwood’s account, drawn from a spring 2025 Development magazine article, describes the initial phase as primarily complete. It includes 600 apartments, a 5,000-person amphitheater, the 6.4-acre Stream Park, 70,000 square feet of retail and a 300,000-square-foot office building.
More housing in the plans
Axios Charlotte reported in August that Northwood was designing another tower at The Bowl. City-approved plans showed potential for 356 apartments, although Northwood had not released full details.
Axios also reported construction on a separate 37-acre property that could add up to 486 homes, with completion expected in 2028.
