Lowe's Global Technology Center

The Lowe's Global Technology Center (also known as the Design Center Tower) is a 23-story office building under construction in South End Charlotte, North Carolina. When completed in 2021, it will stand at a height of around 357 feet (108.81 Meters)[1] which will make it the tallest building in South End and outside of Uptown Charlotte, slightly taller than The Arlington at 310 feet. The building will be primarily occupied by Lowe's. Lowes will be occupying 357,000 square feet over 15 floors.[2] The building will have an additional 20,000 feet of retail and restaurant space on the ground floor.[3]

Lowe's Global Technology Center
General information
Type	Office
Architectural style	Modern
Location	100 W Worthington Charlotte, North Carolina
Coordinates	35°12′43″N 80°51′35″W
Construction started	August 2019
Completed	Fall 2021
Opening	Fall 2021
Owner	RAM and Childress Klein
Height
Roof	357 ft (109 m)
Technical details
Floor count	23
Design and construction
Architect	Rule Joy Trammell + Rubio
Developer	RAM and Childress Klein
Other information
Parking	On site parking garage
Public transit access	East/West Blvd

Lowes will be investing $153 into the building as a tech hub for 2,000 employees. 400 jobs will be transferring from the company's headquarters in Mooresville, the remaining 1,600 employees will be new hires. The state has offered Lowes $54.1 of incentives for the development of 1,600 new jobs. The state also be awarding Lowe's a $2 million grant from its North Carolina One Fund.[4] Lowe's also considered Dallas for the expansion. Ultimately Charlotte was chosen owing to its proximity to the company's headquarters in Mooresville, North Carolina and the appeal of South End to the millennial population. The generation enjoys living in denser urban areas with access to the light rail, scooters, and an area that is easily walkable.[3]

Lowe's CEO Marvin Ellison views expanding IT as a way to become a better retailer. He believes one of the characteristics of a greater retailer is one that has a great technology platform. He went on to explain that this project modernize Lowe's technology systems and drive company growth.[3]

Lowe's has already been hiring for the 1,600 new positions. Prior to the pandemic these positions were being housing at 200,000 square of leased space in Charlotte Plaza in Uptown Charlotte,[4] IT employees began moving into this space in June 2019.[3] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Charlotte Business Journal reported that Lowe's has listed 125,000 square of this space for sublease. The remaining 75,000 of space will be available for remote employees. Lowe's Charlotte Plaza leases is effective until July 2024.[5]