Hornets Ownership Buys Queen City Quarter
Charlotte Hornets ownership has agreed to buy the former Epicentre property in a joint venture with Lincoln Property Company and Vision Ventures.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball
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Charlotte Hornets ownership agreed to buy the Queen City Quarter, formerly the Epicentre, in a joint venture with Lincoln Property Company and Vision Ventures. A sales price was not disclosed.
Why it matters
The Hornets have long envisioned an entertainment district around Spectrum Center, comparable to Milwaukee's Deer District. The purchase places the team's ownership directly in control of property near its arena in Charlotte.
Spectrum Center has undergone $245 million in renovations, and the Hornets are building a $190 million practice facility across the street. The sales price for the Queen City Quarter has not been disclosed.
The players
Charlotte Hornets
The NBA franchise whose ownership is leading the purchase and whose Spectrum Center arena anchors the planned entertainment district on Trade Street.
Lincoln Property Company
A national commercial real estate firm and joint venture partner in the purchase of the Queen City Quarter.
Vision Ventures
A real estate investment group that owned the property from 2010 to 2015 and is a joint venture partner in the purchase.
The details
The partners intend to revitalize and reimagine the property as a vibrant destination in Charlotte. The Queen City Quarter has struggled since its initial owners filed for Chapter 11 protection in 2010 and the property went into foreclosure in 2022.
Timeline
2010: Initial owners of the Epicentre filed for Chapter 11 protection, and Vision Ventures began ownership.
2010 to 2015: Vision Ventures owned the property and raised occupancy.
2022: The property went into foreclosure.
- 2026-11-03
Hornets ownership's joint venture purchase of the property was announced.
2027: Spectrum Center is set to host the WTA Finals.
Roadmap
The Hornets' plan follows the model of Milwaukee's Deer District, which anchors a mixed-use entertainment district to an arena. The Queen City Quarter purchase would extend that approach to the area around Spectrum Center in Charlotte.
The purchase sets up future event traffic around Spectrum Center, which the venue is aiming to host more than 150 events a year. Fans attending games and events in Charlotte may see a changed surrounding district as redevelopment proceeds.
The takeaway
Ownership-led development near an arena can extend the team's footprint beyond game nights, but the terms and timeline of this purchase remain undisclosed.
What happens next
The Spectrum Center is set to host the WTA Finals starting in 2027, a date that falls well after this purchase.
Further reading
For more on the franchise's arena and surrounding development, see Charlotte Basketball coverage.
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