New Life at Camp North End
A former Ford factory that produced 60,032 vehicles and employed 500 Charlotte residents, Camp North End has been transformed into a vibrant, horticulturally rich mixed-use development. Spanning 76 acres, the site has also served as a U.S. Army warehouse, a Cold War manufacturing facility, and a storage hub for Eckerd Pharmacy. NBW is leading the design of 9.5 core acres to create a dynamic mixed-use neighborhood center. By weaving the site's industrial past into contemporary design, NBW preserves its gritty, urban character while introducing inviting, human-scale landscapes that prioritize accessibility, connectivity, and vibrancy.
A ribbon of Piedmont Prairie plantings winds through the site, tracing historic rail lines and service lanes while linking Ford Green plaza to smaller parks, creating a seamless network of green spaces. Streetscapes integrate woonerf principles to balance pedestrian activity and vehicle access, fostering a walkable, safe, and interactive environment.
Complementing rich natural landscapes, a series of urban plazas offer dynamic spaces for events and daily use. The plazas reveal the industrial-scaled remnant infrastructure and vast interiors of the historic structures, while former loading docks have been reimagined as sheltered porches. By adapting these post-industrial spaces and weaving circulation, new programing, and vibrant new landscape ecologies, the site becomes a testament to the power of adaptive reuse and design to create meaningful urban experiences for the City of Charlotte.
