Charlotte’s skyline is getting a new luxury destination — including what developers say will become the highest rooftop bar in the city. W Hotels plans to open a 200-room hotel inside the major redevelopment of 400 South Tryon.
The hotel will occupy floors one through nine of the former office tower. Plans include 173 guest rooms, 27 suites and a signature penthouse.
However, the project’s biggest attraction will sit 34 stories above Uptown. An 18,000-square-foot rooftop restaurant and bar will offer unobstructed skyline views. Developers expect it to become Charlotte’s highest rooftop bar.
W Charlotte will also feature 12,000 square feet of meeting space, a ballroom and a ground-floor restaurant. Plans include a coffee bar and W Hotels’ signature Living Room social space.
“Charlotte’s luxury hotel market is well-established, but it is missing a true luxury lifestyle hotel built around music, culture, and curated social experiences,” said Emanuel Neuman, Co-Founder of Spandrel Development Partners. “W Hotels is a strong fit for where Charlotte is today and where it is headed, as it experiences remarkable growth while continuing to build a vibrant cultural identity. With new, impactful investments in entertainment and dining, Charlotte is evolving into the kind of dynamic destination that makes it ideal for W Hotels.”
The entire 1970s-era tower will undergo a dramatic transformation. Developers plan to replace its original exterior with a contemporary glass façade.
Rockwell Group is leading the hotel’s design, drawing inspiration from Charlotte’s music, architecture and Southern character. Charlotte-born artist Romare Bearden also influenced the design concept.
The hotel represents only part of the larger 400 South Tryon redevelopment. Plans also call for 399 apartments, an indoor pool, spa, fitness center, theater and golf simulator.
The project comes as Uptown continues shifting some older office properties toward residential, hospitality and entertainment uses. Major investments are also underway at Bank of America Stadium and Spectrum Center.
Once completed, W Charlotte will bring another major luxury hotel brand to Uptown. Its 34th-floor rooftop could become one of the city’s most distinctive new destinations.
