Commercial Confidential: Harris Corners Corporate Park

When it comes to occupancy rates for Class A office buildings in Charlotte, Harris Corners Corporate Park’s isn’t the highest.

In Mecklenburg County and the northern part of York County, the Class A market had an average occupancy rate of 84.6 percent in the fourth quarter, according to a report by Cassidy Turley, a commercial real estate leasing and management company. In the north Charlotte submarket, the home of Harris Corners, the occupancy rate in the fourth quarter was slightly lower — 83.1 percent.

But in what might turn out to be a new lease on life for the park, in January Jones Lang LaSalle was named the new company in charge of leasing at Harris Corners, which has roughly 360,000 square feet of space spread across three buildings.

The question is: Can JLL’s plans for a cafe and yoga classes give the park, which is owned by Boston-based New Boston Fund, the boost it needs?

Holly Alexander, a senior leasing associate in JLL’s Charlotte office, is among those waiting to find out. She said the yoga classes will be offered for free — “compliments of the owner” — to those who work in the park. The cafe’s food will not be free to tenants, though, she said, adding that it will sell salads, sandwiches and beverages. She also said the cafe will be the only place where tenants can buy food in the park.

The food and fitness offerings are part of Chicago-based JLL’s strategy to “re-energize the park” and “reconnect with current tenants,” Alexander said.

“Tenants here will be getting an experience that other folks (in the north submarket) aren’t getting, such as exercise and the other amenities,” she said. “When you come here, you just feel like you’re in a nice place.”

According to Alexander, Harris Corners, which dates to 2000, has two main competitors: Huntersville Business Park, off East Reese Boulevard, and the Linville Building, off Perimeter Parkway. But, she said, those parks don’t have a café or yoga classes.

Alexander also touts Harris Corners’ location, less than half a mile off  Interstate 77. Huntersville Business Park is also less than one mile from I-77.

She also points out that Harris Corners is roughly one mile from Northlake Mall. The Linville Building is closer to the mall, about half a mile from it.

Still, for Harris Corners, there’s the new cafe and yoga classes, which might give other nearby business parks a run for their money.

JLL will find out soon enough whether the way to a tenant’s heart is through their stomach or downward-facing dog.

Address: One Harris Corners, 9300 Harris Corners Parkway; Two Harris Corners, 9115 Harris Corners Parkway; Three Harris Corners, 9335 Harris Corners Parkway

Square feet: One Harris Corners, 97,628; Two Harris Corners, 130,187; Three Harris Corners, 133,324

When built: One Harris Corners, 2000; Two Harris Corners, 2001; Three Harris Corners, 2005

Developer: Beacon Development

Owners New Boston Fund

Leasing company: Jones Lang LaSalle

Rates: $19.75 per square foot

Vacancy: 20 percent

Major tenants (approximate square feet occupied): Husqvarna (56,800); Polymer Group (46,000); Carrier Corp (22,300)

Did you know? Alexander said the cafe won’t be the only dining option for Harris Corners tenants, who will soon be able to purchase food from food trucks that will come to the park.