West Charlotte's highly anticipated River District finally making progress: 'This is the beginning'

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Author: Walker Lawson
Published: 4:34 PM EDT June 3, 2025
Updated: 6:51 PM EDT June 3, 2025

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Nearly a decade after it was first proposed, the large-scale River District development in west Charlotte is finally becoming a reality.

Homes are now under construction, marking the first visible phase of the ambitious project. The River District was initially proposed in 2016, but shovels didn't hit the ground until 2023. Now, work is moving along. 

“This is the beginning,” Ranier Ficken, senior managing director of Crescent River District, said.

Ficken said the site lacked the basic infrastructure needed to support development.

“Was really utility starved, and what I mean by that is there really was no organized wastewater system, water system, even electric utilities were not at the standard that could support development,” he said.

The development is designed as a self-contained community with a strong focus on sustainability and transportation alternatives.

“Everything that we’re doing here at The River District is super focused on alternative transportation methods," Ficken said. "That means you don't have to get in your car to get somewhere in the community."

Once complete, the River District is set to include:

8 million square feet of commercial space

500,000 square feet of retail

More than 2,300 multifamily residential units

An additional 2,300 single-family homes

Hotel accommodations

An assisted living facility

Ficken emphasized that the neighborhoods are being designed in clusters to preserve green space.

“We're developing the neighborhoods in pods," he said. "We can preserve large swaths of open space and tree areas over 550 acres."

The project also includes more than 14 miles of biking trails, along with a waterfront park. Developers recently unveiled renderings for Westrow Forge Village, a neighborhood within the River District centered on eco-conscious living.

“It’s a 2-acre farm where a professional farmer will be growing microgreens," Ficken explained. "That stuff will all come into a farm store café,” Ficken said.

Four model homes are expected to open to the public in September, with the first residents potentially moving in by winter.

“I think the residential side of things will take eight years or so," Ficken added. "The entire project will be 10 to 12 years."

Developers are also in discussions to bring a grocery store to the growing community.

The River District development in west Charlotte begins with homes now under construction.