Hornets Owners Pursue Entertainment District Around Spectrum Center
The Charlotte Hornets ownership group proposes an entertainment district to surround the Spectrum Center.
The Charlotte Hornets ownership group has started work on an entertainment district around Spectrum Center. The new $150 million Novant Health Performance Center kicks off the project. Team leaders say the practice facility now under construction behind the arena represents just the beginning.
"We have ambition to invest in and around the Spectrum Center. You see it with the Novant Health Performance Center (now under construction behind the arena). That's the first phase of what we envision will be a much larger-scale entertainment district around that," said Hornets Chief Business & Revenue Officer Mike Behan during a panel discussion last week, according to the Sports Business Journal.
The owners put up $120 million for the practice facility. The city chips in the remaining $30 million. This 160,000-square-foot building will contain more than 100,000 square feet dedicated to practice and recovery space, two full-size courts, and public-facing sports medicine care.
The proposed entertainment district mirrors what NBA teams built in Milwaukee and Indianapolis. Brevard Street would become a walkable corridor packed with retail stores and restaurants. Parts of the street might close during events, while the Charlotte Transportation Center could shrink to free up land.
Team co-owner Rick Schnall told WSOC-TV, per Hoodline.com, that "it's taking a lot of commitment from us." The franchise and city officials pitch this as a way to turn occasional arena nights into a year-round attraction.
Private developers are teaming up with city staff on a phased plan. The goal is to connect the arena, practice facility, and nearby retail areas into one walkable stretch. Behan wouldn't share specifics but confirmed the team keeps studying options for spaces surrounding the venue.
Construction on the performance center began with a groundbreaking in 2025. The facility at 501 E. Trade St. should open during the 2026-27 NBA season. Rezoning applications, design review, and public meetings for the broader Brevard Street concept still lie ahead.
