Excelsior Club Development Permit Has Been Filed

Developer Shawn Kennedy has officially moved to begin the $8.3 million project on Beatties Ford Road.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Isometric editorial illustration of architectural steel beams and red clay bricks arranged neatly, representing a new urban development project. — Developer Shawn Kennedy officially filed an $8.3 million construction permit on Monday to redevelop the historic Excelsior Club site in Charlotte. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should cities prioritize preserving historic sites over new commercial development in your community?

Developer Shawn Kennedy filed a land development construction permit on Monday, October 5, 2026, for the site of the former Excelsior Club. The filing follows the Charlotte City Council's approval of a rezoning request for the project last September.

Why it matters

The redevelopment project aims to restore a historic Charlotte fixture, which closed in 2016 and was eventually demolished due to its unsalvageable condition. The new site is slated to provide community meeting spaces alongside a restaurant and rooftop seating.

The redevelopment project has a total cost of $8.3 million, supported by $3 million in combined city and county funding. Developers have additionally pledged $2.3 million toward restaurant operations following the closure of a $300,000 funding gap.

The players

Shawn Kennedy

He is the developer responsible for leading the restoration project of the historic club site.

Charlotte City Council

This is the local legislative body that manages municipal zoning and development approvals for the city.

The details

The site, located on Beatties Ford Road, will feature a restaurant and rooftop seating, while offering free meeting space for local schools, nonprofits, and the university. The original structure, which opened in 1944, was torn down in July 2026 after sitting vacant for a decade.

The original Excelsior Club opened on Beatties Ford Road in 1944.
The club closed for repairs in 2016.
The former structure was demolished in July 2026.
Charlotte City Council approved the rezoning request in September 2026.
A land development construction permit was filed on Monday, October 5, 2026.

Market Landscape

The project follows the 2026 rezoning approval for the Excelsior Club redevelopment, which sought to revitalize a long-vacant historical landmark. The development positions the site as a community hub while integrating commercial elements into the Beatties Ford Road corridor.

Residents can anticipate the return of a historic venue that will provide new restaurant options and public meeting areas for local organizations. These amenities are designed to support local schools and nonprofits in the immediate neighborhood.

The takeaway

The move to file for construction permits indicates that the long-dormant site is nearing the start of physical work. Community members will soon see the transition of the property from a vacant lot into a functional space for both dining and local civic activities.