CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - More apartment buildings are coming to Uptown Charlotte.
Developers broke ground Thursday on the Gateway West complex in third ward.
The newest addition to the Uptown Community will be another mixed-use development with shopping on the first level and apartments above.
Sarah Page recently moved to Uptown Charlotte from the Ballantyne area.
"I love it, I can walk everywhere, I work at the Epicenter so I can walk to work, there's always a lot happening and going on," said Page.
According to Center City Partners, real estate construction is booming.
The number of condos and apartments in uptown is up 79 percent from ten years ago.
Apartments are 90 percent occupied and the retail industry in Uptown is up 51 percent
But is it too much development, too soon?
Michael Smith with Center City Partners says not at all.
"We are not concerned at all about the appetite and the demand for residential apartments in uptown," said Smith.
Still, selling property in uptown hasn't gone quite as planned.
Take for example, the Vue condos turned apartments.
The 51-story high rise on 5th street was expected to fill quickly.
But condo sales tanked and the developer filed for bankruptcy.
"That place is very empty right now, my roommates sit outside on the porch and it doesn't look like anybody's there, there's like 3 lights on in the building," said Page.
But developers insist the demand for uptown living is trending upwards and more growth is expected.
"We think we're heading into a nice strong decade,"said Smith.
