COME ONE. GROW ALL.
Developed in partnership between Atrium Health and Wexford Science & Technology, The Pearl leverages the partners’ experience and forward-thinking approach to embrace new ideas, research and technologies that will advance healthcare solutions and welcome people from all walks of life within our community.
Breaking ground in Q1 2023, The Pearl will be a multi-phased, mixed-use development featuring office, lab, retail, residential, including affordable housing, community gathering and academic spaces. The first phase of the District includes Charlotte’s first four-year medical school, Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte.
Q1 2023
Ground breaking for the Charlotte Innovation District
600,000 SF
Phase 1 Development (School of Medicine & Research Tower)
Fast Facts
The Pearl will create an innovation ecosystem, grounded in research and academics, to attract businesses, incubate new ideas, attract venture funding and scale small businesses into the companies of Charlotte’s future
The businesses within the district will work to address health disparities and lack of upward mobility, making it a centerpiece of Charlotte’s economic mobility strategy
The education building will house Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Wake Forest School of Business, the new Wake Forest School for Professional Studies and Carolinas College of Health Science
Phase One of The Pearl, including the medical school will break ground in early 2023
The Pearl will be a mixed-use area, featuring amenities available to the entire community, plus living space set aside for affordable housing within the district
A framework to enable diverse business participation and tenancy, including support, mentorship and access to funding is being established
The Pearl will be facilitating investments totaling over $1.5 billion
The innovation district will be a public-private partnership – City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County commitment to invest $75M in infrastructure to enable Phase I vertical development
Innovation jobs typically provide a 15% higher entry-level wage. 30-40% of the jobs created onsite won’t require a bachelor’s degree