What was once one of the largest undeveloped tracts of land west of Uptown is now seeing new residents and visitors. The River District, a 1,200-acre project in West Charlotte, is taking shape as homes and infrastructure rise in Crescent Communities’ master-planned development.
Meet the neighborhoods
Westrow welcomed its first resident in August 2025, just eight months after developers were announced for the first phase of residential space, bringing 129 homes and townhomes to the area.
Food for thought: The entire district will have nearly 5,000 homes.
“I walk the streets regularly, and now I’m running into people walking out of their front door,” Rainer Ficken, Senior Managing Director of The River District, told CLTtoday. “It’s really amazing to see our vision come to life and be consistent with the renderings.”
Construction is ongoing on Basswood, the next residential neighborhood, and on Forge Village — the part of Westrow that will feature community-focused amenities like a playground, working farm, event lawn, and cafe — which is expected to be completed this year.
Not quite ready for a full home? Leasing is underway at NOVEL River District, the 318-unit multifamily complex, with a portion of these units dedicated to mixed-income housing through a partnership with local developer Laurel Street Residential.
A residential outdoor escape
The River District is already becoming a unique addition to the Queen City, offering an easy escape to the outdoors. The district is already home to Thomas Dambo’s Big Pete with the Big Feet, and each neighborhood will soon have access to 30 miles of trails, a two-acre sustainable farm, and the city’s first public riverfront park — not to mention the partnership focused on preserving land along the Catawba River.
“We want people, when they drive into the community before they even reach their home, to already start decompressing from their day,” said Ficken.
Want to see the new community for yourself? The River District announces community events via its Instagram page.
