Historic Crossroads: Bank of America Plaza

In 2016, the owners of Bank of America Plaza embarked on a mission to elevate their iconic property at the crossroads of Trade and Tryon in Charlotte, North Carolina. Their goal was to enhance the tenant experience by transforming the street-level presence into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly environment. “We have created a more pedestrian-friendly area with smaller shop fronts, outdoor seating areas, and a new, extended main building entry to engage the public plaza,” explained Richard Boswell, lead designer at Redline Design Group.

The redesign included revitalizing an underutilized courtyard with a fountain surrounded by empty space. Initial plans for wall-mounted curved benches around the fountain sparked a collaboration between Boswell, Maglin’s CEO Ian McAskile, and Territory Manager Andrew Coen. Together, they expanded the vision, incorporating a variety of seating and table configurations to encourage community interaction and outdoor enjoyment.

The project introduced café and bar-height tables, curved benches, chaise lounges, and bright, colorful chairs, paired with sleek Ipe wood-topped tables. These elements created an inviting outdoorscape, where tenants could relax, enjoy their morning coffee, or hold informal meetings under the open sky.

The redesign earned recognition, with Bank of America Plaza being named a finalist in the 2018 Heavy Hitters Commercial Real Estate Awards for Space Build Out. As this historic crossroads evolves, it continues to serve as a hub for Charlotte’s commercial energy, offering spaces that foster collaboration, commerce, and connection.