Populous Joins Groundbreaking for Charlotte Hornets’ Novant Health Performance Center

Populous and the Charlotte Hornets hosted a special groundbreaking to kick off construction of the Novant Health Performance Center, a state-of-the-art facility in the Uptown Charlotte neighborhood across from Spectrum Center. Attendees included Hornets Sports & Entertainment ownership and team leadership, the mayor of Charlotte and representatives of Novant Health, recently awarded a multi-year partnership with the team that includes naming rights to the project. Populous’ own David Hodge, Ariel Shockley, Zac Braselton and Mary Abner were there to support the first step in the transformation of downtown Charlotte.

This project is a model for how to maximize elite athletic potential by putting the focus as much on athlete health and wellness off the court as it does for performance on it. The Novant Health Performance Center will feature extensive recovery and medical facilities including physical and hydrotherapy, nutrition and sports science for a holistic approach to athlete care. On the performance side, there will be more than 100,000 square feet of practice, training and recovery space along with two full-size basketball courts. To facilitate communication and team management the facility will also house 35,000 square feet of administrative offices to provide space for more than 250 members of the business operations team.

Populous has always believed in creating community through sports and entertainment and worked with stakeholders to make the Novant Health Performance Center an anchor in Uptown Charlotte by providing an additional 2,500 sq ft of retail space which will help to energize the surrounding neighborhood. This development also makes space for Novant Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine clinic, which will be open to the public.

“The significant allocation of training, treatment, and recovery spaces in the Novant Health Performance Center is a great example of how the Charlotte Hornets are investing in their athletes to improve performance. Similarly, the ground level public spaces around the facility reflect the team’s commitment to revitalizing the surrounding neighborhood and the Hornets long-term commitment to Charlotte. We are thrilled to help the Charlotte Hornets achieve their goal of becoming one of the premier teams and community partners in the NBA and honored to be part of this amazing project,” said David Hodge, Senior Principal and Principal in Charge.

Cutting-edge technology combined with high-performance equipment and a true health and wellness focus will provide the best athlete care in the NBA. The Novant Health Performance Center is expected to open during the 2026-27 NBA season.