North Carolina Construction News staff writer
The final timber beam has been set at Cordo, a 287-unit residential development in Charlotte’s Optimist Park, marking a milestone for the city’s growing mass timber construction sector.
The project, a collaboration between Space Craft, Lindgren Development, Inc., and Swinerton Builders, is the fifth partnership among the three firms and represents a new standard for residential construction in the region. Using hybrid mass timber and prefabricated wood wall panels provided by Timberlab, Cordo combines sustainability with modern urban design.
“The topping-out ceremony is a major step toward bringing this vibrant community to life,” said a spokesperson for Swinerton. “Cordo demonstrates how mass timber can accelerate construction while creating a warm, inviting environment for residents.”
Cordo will include 287 apartments ranging from studios to four-bedroom units, as well as 1,200 square feet of street-level retail. The seven-story building features exposed cross-laminated timber ceilings, a rooftop terrace, coworking spaces, fitness and wellness areas, and amenities designed to foster community and connectivity.
Construction began in fall 2024, and the development is expected to welcome residents in 2027. Prefabrication of timber elements off-site by Timberlab in Greenville, S.C., has helped streamline construction and maintain quality standards.
Located in the Optimist Park neighborhood near the LYNX Blue Line, Cordo sits in an area targeted for walkable, transit-oriented development. The project joins other recent infill initiatives by Space Craft in the Mill District, contributing to Charlotte’s evolving urban landscape.