Wilmington’s growth is difficult to keep up with these days. There are new apartments, neighborhoods and an ever-changing landscape of roadway projects. Because this can be tricky to track, we are listing out all the major commercial developments on the horizon for the area.
From mixed-used projects to a new downtown district, here is what you can look forward to in the coming years:
The Galleria
This mixed-use space in the works for years at the former Galleria Mall near Wrightsville Beach is closer to breaking ground. The project is set to include more than 300 apartments, a 400-space parking deck, a five-story mixed-use building, and a seven-story hotel. This all sits on a 14-acre property off Wrightsville Avenue.
Centre Pointe
The Military Cutoff Road and Eastwood Road intersection has changed significantly in the last four years with new builds and even phases of developments connected to Mayfaire Town Center. Now a new project is in the works to bring apartments, retail, restaurants, medical and office spaces, and a 75-foot tall hotel to the corner of Eastwood and Military Cutoff.
South College’s Bella Vista
A six-acre lot on South College Road and Wilshire Boulevard less than a mile from UNC Wilmington could be the site of more apartments and retail. Bella Vista Development Group submitted plans last year to develop the vacant space on South College Road with 15,000 square feet of ground-level retail, 94 parking spaces, and a 364-space parking deck. There will be 298 residential units on top of the retail spaces. This will develop the former car dealership in this space that moved several years ago, plus the development company says this will spark development across the street and around the area.
Soda Pop District
Downtown there is a district teeming with more potential and projects on the horizon. The Soda Pop District, affectionately named for the Coca-Cola bottling facility that still sits on site, has already seen some growth. It is currently home to Jengo’s Playhouse, Cucalorus, Folks Cafe, and Hi-Wire Brewing.
Last year developers scooped up more than three blocks of real estate eyeing the future of this district for living spaces, restaurants, retail and more.
Southport’s Indigo Project
This project is still sifting through the approval process, but should it get the green light it will almost double the size of Southport. The nearly 400-acre mixed-use project would bring 1,542 homes and 80,000 square feet of commercial space from Robert Ruark Drive to the Intracoastal Waterway. Residents have pushed back at planning meetings, asking officials to veto this project as it would change the community too drastically.
