W Hotel planned at ex-Wachovia Center in uptown Charlotte

Business NC | 09.09.2026

New York-based Spandrel Development Partners plans to add a W Hotel at 400 S. Tryon, the 34-story office building in uptown Charlotte that it acquired last year in an auction.

The Marriott-owned brand will have 200 rooms, including 27 suites, that will take up the first nine floors of the building, which for much of its history was called the Wachovia Center. A rooftop food and beverage venue is planned for the 34th floor.

The building, which opened in 1974, has an original curtain wall that will be replaced by a panelized glass facade, giving the tower a new look. “Charlotte’s continued corporate growth, investment and expanding entertainment landscape made the city a natural fit for the W Hotels brand,” Spandrel officials said in a release.

The new hotel reflects uptown Charlotte’s transition from an office-heavy district into a more residential and tourism-oriented area. Spandrel bought the tower for $36 million last year, after the previous owners defaulted and the building went into foreclosure. At the time, it was about 23% occupied, the Charlotte Business Journal reported.

“Charlotte’s luxury hotel market is well-established, but it is missing a true luxury lifestyle hotel built around music, culture, and curated social experiences,” said Emanuel Neuman, co-founder of Spandrel Development Partners. “W Hotels is a strong fit for where Charlotte is today and where it is headed, as it experiences remarkable growth while continuing to build a vibrant cultural identity.”

The project is being designed by the LS3P and Rockwell Group architecture firms.

The W Charlotte is part of Spandrel’s plans to transform the 1970s office tower, including plans for 399 apartments. Residential amenities will include an indoor pool, wellness-focused spa and fitness center, theater room and golf simulator. The existing 517-space parking garage will be updated.

There are more than 70 W Hotels globally, including 21 in North America. The chain is owned by Marriott International.