University City, home to UNC Charlotte and University Research Park, began to blossom in the late 1980s. The area is one of Charlotte’s largest employment centers, with many technology and banking firms with offices in University Research Park and nearby business parks. Housing in this area is a great mix of single-family and multifamily choices. This area also has some of Charlotte’s best choices for apartments, condominiums, town homes and patio homes that serve college students and young professionals.
Retail development is booming in this area, with more than 3 million square feet of stores centered on W.T. Harris Boulevard and I-85, including the new IKEA. The region’s largest outlet mall, Concord Mills, lies just over the Cabarrus County line along I-85. Northlake Mall is located at the I-77 and W.T. Harris Boulevard junction.
