More recently, the First Ward has been home to some notable developments. The first Ritz-Carlton hotel in the history of Charlotte is currently under contruction in the First Ward. This hotel will be 13 stories tall and will be next to the new development called the Epicenter which is located in the Second Ward. The First Ward will also be home to UNCC's graduate business school which will break ground soon.

First Ward is located in the Northeast sector of the Uptown and is bound by Trade St to the South, Tryon St to the West, and 277  to the North and East. The First Ward is currently home of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats as well as a number of new commercial and residential developments. The First Ward is the newest ward of the Uptown with a vibrant neighborhood feel in the middle of the city. With a strong flavor of artistic and cultural venues. The First Ward has a lot of land still waiting to be developed while the current progress is being made. With so much going on in First Ward, the future is bright.  

Time Warner (Bobcats) Arena

Established as an expansion team in 2004, the Charlotte Bobcats home arena is located in the First Ward of Uptown Charlotte. The Charlote Bobcats played their first game in the new Uptown arena on November 5, 2005. The arena can seat 19, 026 for NBA games and 20,200 for college basketball games. The Bobcat's Arena is also home to the Charlotte Checkers a minor league hocket team that plays in the ECHL. In addition to sporting events, the Bobcat's Arena has hosted numerous concerts including Rolling Stones, U2, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Police. To learn more about Bobcat's Arena Click Here 

Ritz-Carlton

With 63 locations in 21 different countries, Ritz-Carlton hotels are the standard by which luxury hotels are measured. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company established an industry benchmark by their philosophy of "Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen." The new First Ward hotel will serve the needs of business people and vacation going individuals in the Uptown of Charlotte. The site of the hotel is on the corner of Trade and College next to the new Epicenter mixed-use development. The hotel is projected to open in 2009 to begin serving the city as the premier hotel in the region.

UNCC

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is planning on building a 100,000sf educational building in the First Ward of Uptown Charlotte. This planned building is anticipated to serve approximately 7,500 students Currently, UNCC leases classroom space in the Mint Museum of Art in the Uptown and serves 650 students in graduate level evening business classes. The new building will focus on studies in business, architecture, social services, and humanities. The new Uptown facility will be located in First Ward on the corner of Brevard and Ninth St as a part of a larger redevelopment strategy for parts of First Ward.  

Light Rail

The Charlotte Area Transportation Services opened their light rail line called Lynx on November 24, 2007. The light rail runs from the First Ward of Uptown Charlotte south to Pineville/485 area of town. This operating section, The Blue Line, is the first of a series of light rail lines planned for the city. Lynx offers a low cost alternative to individuals commuting into the city at only $1.30 per ride. The Lynx stops at both the Bobcat's Arena and 7th St Station in First Ward with two other stops in Second Ward. During the commuting hours trains will be by every 7.5 minutes at each stop along the 9.6 mile long line. For more information about the Lynx, Click Here

New Developments

The Ledge

The Quad

Enclave

Quarterside