Plaza Midwood
Plaza Midwood, Charlotte, NC homes for sale
Plaza Midwood is a vibrant Charlotte, NC neighborhood filled with beautiful contrasts. In one section, you’ll find charming historic homes framed by deep-rooted trees. In another, you’ll come across an eclectic array of specialty shops and dining spots made colorful by beautiful murals painted by local artists.
As one of Queen City’s inner-ring neighborhoods, Plaza Midwood provides an exceptional quality of life. Lush green spaces, walkable streets, a vibrant art scene, amazing dining options, and pockets of the most exclusive luxury real estate in Charlotte, NC are all found in this urban community.
Learn more about Plaza Midwood, the real estate, and other things it has in store for you should you decide to find your next home here in this neighborhood guide below.
Table of Contents:
History
Plaza Midwood’s past is deeply interconnected with Charlotte’s history, being its first streetcar suburb in the early 1900s. When streetcars were slowly replaced by automobiles, the neighborhood steadily declined and was largely forgotten for most of the 70s and 80s.
It made a dramatic comeback during the mid-1990s thanks to the Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association and their careful planning. The entire neighborhood underwent a total makeover with the establishment of the Historical District and the restoration of the locale’s vintage homes to their old glory, as well as the painting of murals in areas where there is high foot traffic.
Soon enough, tourists came trickling in, followed by entrepreneurs willing to start new businesses in Plaza Midwood. New structures sprouted all over the neighborhood, in addition to residential developments and some of the most gorgeous luxury real estate in Charlotte, NC, like Cramer’s Pond located on the original 15-acre Charles E. Barnhardt Estate (circa 1938).
Real estate snapshot
Market trends
With the arrival of the pandemic lockdowns, cities in the South have enjoyed a newfound popularity among those untethered by the concept of remote work. Smaller but progressive urban centers like Charlotte were offering a lower cost of living and a remarkable quality of life on top of more affordable real estate options and wider living spaces – factors that are rarely found in the mega-cities of New York and Los Angeles. With the massive migration of people to cities like Charlotte, the demand for real estate here and in nearby areas began to rise to new heights. This, plus other pandemic-driven factors, resulted in soaring home values.
Plaza Midwood was no stranger to the steady rise in home prices. Moreover, its proximity to the City Center added to its appeal among home buyers. It was at its highest in the spring and summer seasons of 2022 when the median price for sold homes reached as high as $1.28 million. It has since tapered down to pre-pandemic levels due to rising inflation and interest rates, as well as jitters felt ahead of the foreseen economic slowdown. As of January 2023, the median selling price of homes in Plaza Midwood stood at around $440,000. However, the larger and grander homes here could go as high as almost $1.6 million.
Home buyers eager to make their bid for homes for sale in Plaza Midwood, Charlotte, NC will be glad to know that there are more windows of opportunity opened to them. With new urban infill developments sprouting in the area, the Plaza Midwood housing market has transformed into a seller’s market. Desirable homes in Plaza Midwood are still experiencing bidding wars, with many homes selling above the asking price.
Zillow.com predicts Charlotte to be among the hottest housing markets in 2023. fueled by solid economic fundamentals, expected job growth, and strong demand for real estate here. With that, Plaza Midwood is guaranteed to benefit from the positive outlook.
Property types
Its location near the City Center makes Plaza Midwood residential properties highly sought after. The existing housing stock here is mostly composed of small to medium-sized single-family homes. Multi-family homes and townhomes are also present in the neighborhood.
Architectural designs
You will be amazed by the sheer diversity of style influences among the structures found in Plaza Midwood. Especially breathtaking are the vintage homes along The Plaza and adjacent streets, officially known as the Plaza Midwood Historic District. Here, you will find rows of magnificently restored and stately homes in a variety of traditional designs, including:
- Colonial Revival
- Victorian
- Tudor Revival
- Bungalow
- Prairie
- Arts and Crafts
- Spanish Revival
A good number of the more recently built homes still sport some of these designs, but many of them already have more contemporary styles.
Living in Plaza Midwood
Today, Plaza Midwood is seen as a hip and progressive corner of the city where urban sophisticates from young single professionals to top executives and managers come to live and thrive. Everyone is welcome here, notwithstanding their social, financial, or gender affiliations (The LGBTQ+ community here is flourishing).
Getting around
Plaza Midwood homes for sale in Charlotte, NC give residents the ultimate access to a robust public transport system. With a reliable bus line, a speedy light rail system, and bike-sharing services, there are plenty of ways to get from Point A to Point B.
- By bus. The CATS buses have 4 routes in Plaza Midwood: Nos. 3,4,9, and 23. You can check their exact schedules here.
- By train. Connecting east and west Charlotte, the LYNX Gold Line Has been helping Charlottean commuters since 2021. Currently, the closest station to Plaza Midwood is on HawthorneAvenue but there are plans to build extensions in the neighborhood soon.
- By bike/scooter. A transition to more sustainable transport options is happening in Plaza Midwood. Several bike/scooter-sharing options are now scattered throughout the area. Companies like Mobike, LimeBike, and Spin are allowing riders to park their bikes/scooters in any legal spot they like – no need to look for a dock.
Schools
The quality of education in Charlotte is top-notch, with its schools ranking first among all public, charter, and magnet schools in North Carolina. Most students in Plaza Midwood typically attend Shamrock Gardens Elementary, Eastway Middle, and Garinger High School, but other options in the city are also close by. For instance, the Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy, a top charter school, is only 17 minutes away.
The colleges in the city are equally impressive. Queens University of Charlotte, Johnson Smith University, and the University of North Carolina-Charlotte boast great rankings in fields like education and engineering.
Those with younger children have several daycare options, as well. The Vine, Plaza Presbyterian, and Midwood Baptist offer daycare programs, but there’s usually a waitlist for each.
Cost of living
The cost of living index in Plaza Midwood as of January 2022 was higher than the national average at 121. Making the biggest impact on this figure are the home values in the neighborhood (168), followed by healthcare (106) and goods and services (105). However, making up for this is the remarkable quality of life that the neighborhood provides, as well as a slew of community amenities that are within residents’ easy reach.
Job opportunities
Plaza Midwood residents also have easy access to some of the largest employers in Charlotte, many of which are in the banking and finance sectors. Bank of America and Wells Fargo are among the city’s top employers, followed by American Airlines and Lowe’s. It’s also home to several promising startups like SmartSky Networks, Passport, Stratifyd, and Payzer.
Charlotte was among several Southern and Midwest metro areas that saw one of the biggest jumps in job growth in 2022, posting a 16.2% year-on-year uptick. Even more top-tier companies are expected to open new headquarters and satellite offices in these areas. With that, more job openings and opportunities are also seen for people in and around Charlotte, including residents of Plaza Midwood.
Dining options
Plaza Midwood is chock-full of top-rated restaurants that serve cuisines from different parts of the globe. They cater to everyone across the spectrum, from casual foodies to those with a more discerning palate. Here are some that you shouldn’t miss:
Plaza Midwood branch: 2012 Commonwealth Avenue
This delightful cafe’s cozy environment is ideal for working and meeting new people. It prides itself in its partnerships with the community from sourcing its ingredients to its sustainable practices. Apart from offering wonderful coffee preparations and food, Undercurrent Coffee also conducts training sessions in many aspects of coffee in its Lab.
Plaza Midwood branch: 1401 Central Avenue
This popular Charlotte restaurant serves freshly-cooked barbecue and other delectable meats. Each serving is generous and accompanied by a variety of classic southern sides and NC draft beer. On the menu are several choices of barbecues, salads, appetizers, and even tacos. But if you want to try a bit of everything, go with the combo platters.
1212 The Plaza
This dining spot is located in a restored mid-century church along The Plaza – right at the heart of the Plaza Midwood Historic District. Rustic and chic, this upscale farm-to-table concept offers hearty Southern dishes with a twist. In its adjacent building, you’ll find a well-curated cocktail bar where you can unwind after an exquisite meal. It also has custom-designed plates that you can buy as souvenirs of your memorable evening here. Supperland has also been recently making national headline news after being named 2022 Best New Restaurants in America by Esquire and The 10 Best New Restaurants in America by Bon Appétite.
1906 Commonwealth Avenue
This is Plaza Midwood’s first brewery and taproom, established in 2015 and home to the regionally renowned Juicy Jay IPA. It boasts 12 different locally brewed beers on tap, including IPAs, stouts, lagers, pilsners, sour ales, and more. Play board games with friends indoors or go outside to enjoy the cold night breeze with a pint in hand by the firepit.
Pinhouse has an innovative service and payment system which enables customers to pay directly via a wristband that tracks drinks poured from any of its 72 self-serve taps. Options include beer, wine, prosecco, and kombucha. The bar also has four duckpin lanes, as well as a spacious outdoor space for your choice of sport or simply for admiring Charlotte’s skyline.
Below are other great Plaza Midwood venues that add color to the area’s nightlife and music scene:
- The Giddy Goat – A homegrown shop that serves amazing house-roasted coffee and freshly baked pastries.
- The Workman’s Friend – A cozy Irish pub-inspired watering hole that offers premium beers on tap.
- Thomas Street Tavern – The quintessential neighborhood bar complete with classic American pub food.
- Whiskey Warehouse – An rustic rooftop bar set against the backdrop of Charlotte’s skyline.
- Snug Harbor – A hip music venue and bar known for hosting some of the neighborhood’s most exciting events.
- Zada Jane’s Corner Cafe – Enjoy all-day breakfast eats in this quirky neighborhood diner.
- Calle Sol Latin Cafe and Cevicheria – One of the few Latin-American cafes in the city that offers authentic Cuban and Peruvian dishes.
- The Common Market Plaza Midwood – A unique convenience store, deli, and bar where you can get everything from breakfast sandwiches to late-night munchies.
- The Diamond Restaurant – Get mouth-watering American comfort food from one of Plaza Midwood’s oldest establishments.
Shopping
Residents of Plaza Midwood are blessed with many retail options to choose from, they don’t need to go beyond the neighborhood’s borders for some retail therapy. Apart from the usual stores you’d expect in an urban neighborhood, you’ll also find several unique specialty shops. Learn more about them below.
1512 Central Avenue
This boutique shop has a diverse product catalog that includes jewelry, bags, clothing, perfumes, art, and more. Most of them were made in collaboration with local brands and artists. At the back of the shop, you’ll find a fitting room and a lounge area where the owners do their styling consultations. Visit their Instagram page to find out what they’re up to next.
825 Central Avenue
A music lover’s dream come true, this unique music store has everything – including vinyl, CDs, and cassette tapes. Most of them are from 90s indie punk rock bands but you can also find CDs from newer artists from time to time. After transferring to its new location in 2016, it has since expanded its inventory to DVDs, books, and even merch. It has also hosted several music events featuring local bands and even popular artists like Grammy award-winning singer Kacey Musgraves.
Camp North End, 270 Camp Road, Ste. 101
Grow is a must-visit for local plant lovers or those who want to get into it. Whether you need new pots, planters, fertilizers, or new accessories to spruce up your garden, they have it. Drop by the store or check out their Instagram stories to see their latest stocks.
Attractions and amenities
Only a few places in the city have as much to see and experience as Plaza Midwood does. It has plenty of attractions and amenities that can keep you occupied, and most of them are just moments away from homes for sale in Plaza Midwood, Charlotte, NC. If you’re building a neighborhood bucket list, consider including the ones below.
Veterans Park
2136 Central Avenue
Plaza Midwood provides several public spaces for its residents to enjoy. One example is the 19-acre Veterans Park on Central Avenue which features expansive walking trails, baseball fields, basketball courts, and playgrounds. It’s the perfect place for a weekend run or a fun day with the family.
Midwook Park
2100 Wilhelmina Avenue
To the north, you’ll find this serene 6-acre park with well-manicured lawns where you can make a quick getaway just to relax and admire the landscape. While it’s smaller than Veterans Park, it still boasts amenities like baseball fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, and picnic areas. It also has an amphitheater that hosts movie nights every year from April to October. The film showing is free, including popcorn.
Central Avenue is an attraction in itself. Apart from iconic restaurants and boutique stores, it’s also where Plaza Midwood’s murals are mostly concentrated. The most recognizable pieces – like the one on Lunchbox Records – were made by Matt Hooker and Matt Moore, an artist duo seen as thought leaders in Charlotte’s mural scene.
The light factory photo arts center (Gallery)
1817 Central Avenue
Discover contemporary art at The Light Factory Photo Arts Center, one of four museums in the country that exclusively focuses on film and photography. Its longtime location was a former middle school cafeteria during the Great Depression which was repurposed into a venue for art exhibitions and photography classes.
The Light Factory will be moving its art studio and classrooms to the VAPA Center in Uptown Charlotte (700 North Tryon Stree) by June 2023, but the gallery – its centerpiece – will remain in Plaza Midwood.
Find your dream Plaza Midwood home with Jason Gentry and native collective
Enjoy city living in a neighborhood you’ll never get tired of. Whether you’re looking for a single-family home or select luxury real estate, buying one in Plaza Midwood, Charlotte, NC, is one of the best decisions you can make. Let Native Collective help you find the ideal Plaza Midwood home that can suit all your needs.
As top-notch Charlotte, NC REALTORs®, we specialize in luxury home marketing and finding homes for buyers of all types. Collectively we have more than 35 years of combined experience in the business, particularly in luxury real estate. Equipped with hyperlocal expertise of the Charlotte, NC real estate market, our team provides each client with up-to-date information on market developments, exclusive listings, and overall personalized service during every step.
Let us at Native Collective be your guide in your search for the perfect home for sale in Charlotte, NC. Get in touch with our team at 704.665.0527 or send an email here to start your home-buying journey.
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