Hawthorne’s NY Pizza & Bar is the newest addition to Meridian Place, the transformative, mixed-use development under construction on Monroe Road. Hawthorne’s, a local restaurant group started more than 12 years ago, will be the anchor tenant for a new 10,000 square foot retail building slated to start construction next month and to open this fall.

“The addition of Hawthorne’s helps us in fulfilling one of the key aspects of what neighbors wanted to see at Meridian Place – a creative “sit-down restaurant” where they could gather and enjoy a great meal, and a beer or glass of wine,” said Roy Goode developer of Meridian Place. “Hawthorne’s is an ideal anchor for us to build upon as we add restaurants, shops and offices to Meridian Place and our evolving landscape,” added Goode.

“Meridian Place is the epicenter of a changing Monroe Road corridor and a catalyst,” said Michael Adams, co-partner and founder of Hawthorne’s. Adams is familiar with the Meridian Place area, having worked in it prior to starting his restaurant business. He and his partners, brother John Adams, Carlo Martinez and Tyler Basset, recognized that there was a great void in the area and passed on other opportunities to be a part of Meridian Place.

Hawthorne’s will occupy a prominent 4,800 square foot space in the southern part of the development near Conference Drive. The new venue will offer outdoor dining a constant found in all of the group’s other seven Charlotte locations. The Hawthorne’s team is in the midst of working on designs for the new space, designs that will include some new creative elements while remaining consistent with the inviting brand the company has established.

The restaurant and adjoining shops that Goode expects to fill with local tenants are part of 100,000 square feet of commercial space that will be developed at Meridian Place. The new retail building will join a McDonald’s restaurant opened last fall on the northern portion of Meridian Place and the M Station Apartments soon to be completed.

Hawthorne’s expects to work closely with the neighboring communities and the MoRA grass roots community organization formed to support attracting new amenities and revitalization for the area. Goode added that Meridian Place and M Station have benefited incredibly from the support and input of neighboring residents since starting Meridian Place more than three years ago.

Chris Wannamaker of Providence Commercial Real Estate Advisors represented Hawthorne’s in the transaction while Susan Clements of Childress Klein represented the landlord.