From the oak lined streets, new wave neighborhoods, and the southern charm, Charlotte is a celebrity hub for some of the biggest names in sports, television and politics.
Before we get to the meat of this blog, you should know Charlotte alone has over 30 featured restaurants – from The Food Network to the Travel Channel you can find diners, drive-ins and everything in-between. Check these gems next time you’re looking for a bite to eat.
So we know the Queen City loves it cooking, but what about the residents? Famous diners aren’t the only ones that call Charlotte home.
It’s no surprise I had to mention Donald Trump. Presidential 2016 nominee Donald Trump owns Trump National Golf Club, Charlotte. This property is located 30 minutes from Charlotte in the picturesque countryside of Mooresville. The Greg Norman designed course, with incredible views of Lake Norman, is one of the best in the state. Trump also frequents the Charlotte area quite often, saying in an interview with the Charlotte Observer, “We love North Carolina, and we love this place especially. Trump National is special, to me, I just think it is the best area, a phenomenal place. The houses are going through the roof.” Could Charlotte be the presidential nominees second home? Only time will tell.
If I didn’t mention it already – Charlotte is home to some stellar athletes. Not only does Charlotte‘s southern charm and down-to-earth nature make you want to put up your feet and stay a while, it’s a regular occurrence to rub shoulders with the likes of professional athletes and actors.
Just last week pictures of the Carolina Panthers NFL player, Cam Newton, surfaced on Twitter as he left his Uptown condo casually strolling to the Panthers stadium with inconspicuous blue sneakers and headphones on.
In May 2013, Cam purchased his $1.6 million uptown condo in The Trust building. But don’t worry, on June 2nd, 2015, the Panthers and Newton agreed to a 5-year, $103.8 million dollar contract extension, which means there will be many more sightings of Cam in headphones walking to the Panther’s stadium.
Did I mention, The Trust building is packed full of several other star athletes such as Michael Jordan and former Bobcat Boris Diaw. The high-security condo includes three bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms and has 3,200 square feet of living space. The benefits of living in the seven-unit building is a membership to the Charlotte Athletic Club, though Newton may not exactly need that amenity. The home was offered fully furnished and the complex includes a rooftop pool.
Now who doesn’t want to accidentally run into Luke Kuechly? Well if you are walking around Uptown you may just run into him walking into his luxurious high-rise apartment in The Vue. This luxury apartment building has a 24-hour Concierge staff, resort-style, outdoor junior Olympic pool with expansive deck and deluxe courtyard gathering areas, spa-inspired health club with yoga room and complimentary fitness classes, multi-purpose basketball and tennis court, upper level private Pet Park, 50th floor SKY Lounge, private garages and cyber bar with free Wi-Fi.
What’s so great about Charlotte is the relaxed atmosphere and genuine sense of home. Which is exactly why Angie Harmon is also calling Charlotte home. Angie mentioned in an interview with Good Housekeeping that her decision to move her family from Los Angeles to Charlotte had to do with her close circle of friends which just so happen to be NASCAR champ Jimmie Johnson and his wife, Chandra, who also live in Charlotte and encouraged her to move the family there. Angie set her sights on North Carolina for her girls’ sake, and has never looked back. She sums up the state’s special allure: “There’s a church on every corner as opposed to just a Starbucks…the people are just a little nicer — more real.” – I couldn’t agree more, Angie.
Although her neighborhood is up for debate, some locals have spotted her at the Stonecrest Target Shopping center which leads us to believe the Ballantyne area is where she calls home. The actress can also be found speaking at City Council meetings about new projects like, Studio Charlotte. This not-confirmed plan would turn the old Eastland Mall site into sound stages, a film school, and restaurants but is stuck at a standstill until more investors jump onboard.
Charlotte is bustling with famous investors and humble beginnings of some of the wealthiest and controversial names today, you never know who you might see walking around from Target to Uptown.
