SWINERTON SET TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION OF TIPSY PICKLE

Swinerton, an industry-leading commercial general contractor with offices nationwide, readies to begin construction this month on Tipsy Pickle, Charlotte’s newest “eatertainment” venue headed to Camp North End. The 76-acre, mixed-use development will bring nearly 40,000 square feet of dining, pickleball, and other hospitality amenities to its campus in the fall. As an adaptive reuse build, the space has undergone several life cycles, including housing weapons for the US Army and manufacturing Model T and Model A cars for Ford Motor Company. Swinerton’s Charlotte Division serves as the preconstruction manager and general contractor for the construction project.

Designed by Southwick Architecture + Interiors, Tipsy Pickle features nearly 26,000 square feet of interior amenities complemented by 10,000 square feet of outdoor space. An 80’s video game aesthetic infuses the multi-level facility with a playful energy. A full-size commercial kitchen supports the restaurant that offers Tex-Mex fare, and three bars offer refreshments throughout the space. Sports enthusiasts can choose from four indoor and two outdoor courts with patio seating. An indoor gaming area includes two golf simulators, ping pong, arcade games, pool tables, tic tac toe, darts, and shuffleboard. The venue also boasts a retail space where guests can browse pickleball gear and themed merchandise.

“Pickleball has seen explosive growth as both a sporting and social activity, and our construction professionals are poised to build a space that responds to the sport’s growing popularity,” explains Jason Hlewicki, Director of Special Projects, Swinerton’s Charlotte Division. “We are intimately familiar with the challenges and considerations surrounding adaptive reuse projects, which is essential to address this site’s structural constraints and the regulations surrounding the Brownfields Program.”

According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America over the last three years.

Due to Camp North End’s Brownfields Program, Swinerton will install a vapor intrusion mitigation system and report any soil disturbances to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, as required. Preserving the existing warehouse structure while installing kitchen equipment and ventilation systems requires detailed oversite and tailored engineering. Plans also call for the conversion of a portion of the existing parking lot to pickleball courts and an outdoor plaza for dining and entertainment.

Tipsy Pickle is a joint venture between Charlotte entrepreneurs Mike Salzarulo and Tanner Brooks. Located at 201 Camp Road, it is the latest addition to Camp North End, a development by ATCO that now features offices, retail and restaurants, and multifamily housing.

Since expanding to the Southeast in 2018, Swinerton’s Carolinas Division has constructed nearly $400 million of commercial environments. The dedicated team of 90 construction leaders specializes in corporate interiors and buildings, healthcare, education, restaurants and hospitality, multifamily, and mass timber construction.